Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture:
A Survey of the Perceptions of the Residents of
Cortland & Tompkins Counties
REC 407: Evaluation and Research Class
Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department
REC 407 Evaluation & Research Class
Research Team
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Dr. Lynn Anderson
Ben Banker
John Gus Banuski
Amber Busby
Adam Campbell
Megan Ellison
Amanda Florance
Bill Hein
Jenna Holden
Brett Keating
Mitch Lemery
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Catie Maczko
Kurt Madden
Juleen Matthews
Matt Porebski
Brendan Rafferty
Charles Rhode
Dan Shearin
Jen Stark
Tom Szevin
Jacky Thomson
Erik Wilson
Purpose of the Study

To determine how LHCEC can best
meet the needs of the greater
Cortland/Ithaca area while still
remaining true to its mission
 To
examine the current perceptions and
knowledge of Lime Hollow
 To
identify the outdoor recreation/
outdoor education interests of the
community at large
 Lime Hollow History






Glaciers formed Lime
Hollow’s natural features
Lime Hollow area contains
many unique features
 Marl ponds, bogs, vernal
pools
Excellent aquifer
Lehigh Valley Rail
(abandoned its use in 1960)
LHNC founded in 1993
Culmination of efforts over
twenty years
 Today…

2007 – new visitor center opened

Exhibits, educational displays, gift shop
2009 – Lime Hollow received over 20,000
visitors
 Many programs




Creatures of the Night, Art Fest, Maple
Sugaring Day, a Fishing Festival, Snake
Night, and Birds of Prey, Summer camp
Over 3,000 student visits every year
Only 2 full-time staff
Summary of the 2002 Study
 Study completed by RPLS
faculty and graduate
students
 Public telephone survey
 Lime Hollow member
mailed survey
Summary of the 2002 Study
 Majority of population
saw a need for
environmental
education
 Lime Hollow played an
important role in the
Cortland/Ithaca area
Summary of the 2002 Study
 Main reason for not being involved with Lime
Hollow was lack of awareness
 Newspapers were the best way to spread
awareness of Lime Hollow
 Support for a new visitor center
Why does LHCEC need this study now?
 Strategic planning
 Decision-making
 Program, facility
and service
development
 Grant applications
 Facility
improvement
Review of Related Literature
 People and nature
 Benefits of
environmental/outdoor
education
Review of Related Literature
 Benefits of camp
 Economic impacts
Methods – Member Survey
Sections of Survey
Current membership,
activities, and
participation
Input on future programs,
services, and facilities
Facilitators and benefits
Evaluation of current
programs and facilities
Evaluation and input of
camp programming
Demographics
Member survey link:
http://survey.cortland.edu/TakeSurvey.a
spx?SurveyID=p2KK796
Methods – Member Survey
 Sampling
 All
members of Lime Hollow
 Procedures




Email survey
Asked to complete it within two weeks of
receiving it
A secondary reminder e-mail
Opportunity to enter a drawing for free
week of summer camp, a hoodie, or free
holiday tree after completing the survey
Methods – Public Survey
 23 questions to assess the general public’s
awareness, ideas, and opinions about Lime
Hollow




Reasons to attend Lime Hollow and other nature
centers
Program and facility interest
Facilitators and benefits
Demographics
 Link to public survey:
http://survey.cortland.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=p2KK896
Methods – Public Survey
Sampling:
 Population


Tompkins County
(approx. 102,000)
Cortland County
(approx. 48,000)
 Systematic random sample
 Every 3rd person over 3 days at a large
community business that serves the region
 Sample size needed
 380 with a 5% margin of error
Methods – Public Survey
 As customers entered the
new Super Walmart, we
systematically surveyed them
using iPads
 Students greeted every 3rd
person and gave a brief
introduction to the survey
 Lime Hollow donated items to
raffle off for those who
completed a survey and
entered the drawing
Data Analysis
 Descriptive statistics
using Select Survey
and Excel
Results
 Public survey response rate:



Approximately 42%
N = 368
Margin of error = +/-5%
 Member survey response rate:

Approximately 35%
 N = 105
 Margin of error = +/- 7%
Description of
Survey Respondents
Age and Gender of Respondents in
the Public Sample
Percent of respondents
25
20
15
Male %
10
5
0
0-10 Years
11-20 Years
21-30 Years
31-40 Years
41-50 Years
51-60 Years
61-70 Years
71 or More
Female %
Age and Gender of Respondents in
the Member Sample
Percent of respondents
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0-10 years
11-20 Years
21-30 Years
31-40 Years
41-50 Years
51-60 Years
61-70 Years
70 or more
Male %
Female %
Respondent Member Households
with Children
45%
With children
Without children
55%
Analysis of public households with children is in progress
Where do you reside?
Percent of respondents
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Member
Public
How long have you resided in the area?
(members only)
70
60
Percent
50
40
30
20
10
0
Years as Member of Lime Hollow
70
60
Percent
50
40
30
20
10
0
Type of Membership
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Family
Individual
Lifetime
Affiliate
Contributor Corporate
Public Awareness
of Nature Centers and Lime Hollow
Percent
What nature centers are you
familiar with by name?
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Been to Lime Hollow?
Public That Has Been To Lime Hollow
44%
56%
Yes
No
How did the public rate
visits to Lime Hollow?
Evaluation of Overall Experience
100%
90%
Percent
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Excellent
Good
Neutral
Fair
Poor
Why the Public Visits Lime Hollow
Percent
Reasons for Visiting Lime Hollow
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
More Information About Lime Hollow?
Does the Public Want More Information
About Lime Hollow?
100%
80%
60%
40%
52%
48%
Yes
No
20%
0%
Public and Member
Use of Nature Centers
Percent of Respondents
Frequency of Lime Hollow Visits
100
80
60
40
20
0
One or More Once or Twice Once Every Once or Twice
Times Per
a Month
Other Month
a Year
Week
Visit Frequency
Other
Percentage of respondents
How often do you visit
other nearby nature centers?
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Members
Public
Once or
twice a
year
Never
Once Once or One or
every twice a
more
other
month times a
month
week
Frequency of use
Other
Which other nature centers do you visit?
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Public %
Member %
What season do you use
Lime Hollow most?
Percentate Respondents
(members only)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Season of most use
Percentage of Members
Which facilities do members
use the most at Lime Hollow?
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Program
Interest
Public Interest in Lime Hollow’s
Ongoing Programs
Travel Trunk Pre-School
Woodland Whispers Newsletter
Primitive Skills Workshop
Nature's Keepers
Volunteer Opportunites
Lime Hollow-Cortalnd Bird Club
Snake Night
Day Camp Program
Stargazing
Wildlife Identification
Creatures of the Night
Guided Nature Walks
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Public Interest in Lime Hollow’s
Seasonal Programs
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Other Programs the Public Suggested
80%
60%
40%
20%
45%
30%
15%
0%
10%
Member Interest in
New Children’s Programs
50
Percent
40
30
20
10
0
Member Interest in Childcare Services
Member Interest in Winter Programs
0
Ice Skating
Snowshoe worshop
Snowshoe rental
Winter environmental education
Cross-country ski workshop
Winter survival skills
WFR/WFA course
Winter camping
Snow sculpture competition
Cross-country ski races (5k…
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
More Winter Use
if Programs Were Offered
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Very Likely
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely Very Unlikely
Percent
Member Interest in Family Programs
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Family
Nature
Crafts
Family
Focused
Special
Events
Family
Camping
Weekend
Hunter Family Fun
Education
Run on
Trails
Other
Other suggestions for programs:
Themes:
 Suggestions for
facilities
 Suggestions for
programs
 Suggestions for
environmental
education
Program Evaluation
Member Evaluation of Ongoing Programs
Woodland Whispers Newsletter
Poor
Wildlife Identification
Fair
Volunteer Opportunities
Good
Primitive Skills Workshop
Excellent
Travel Truck Pre-School
Nature's Keepers
Guided Nature Walks
Day Camp Program
Stargazing
Lime Hollow-Cortland Bird Club
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Percentage of Members Who Have Never
Participated in Ongoing Programs
Never Participated
Woodland Whispers Newsletter
Day Camp Program
Guided Nature Walks
Volunteer Opportunities
Nature's Keepers
Wildlife Identification
Lime Hollow-Cortland Bird Club
Travel Truck Pre-School
Primitive Skills Workshop
Stargazing
Never Participated
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
Member Evaluation of Seasonal Programs
40
35
30
Excellent
Good
25
20
15
10
5
0
Fair
Poor
Percentage of Members Who Have Never
Participated in Seasonal Programs
Never Participated
Moonlight Snowshoeing
Ski Rentals
Holiday Wreath Making
Holiday at the Hollow
Maple Sugaring Day
Music in the Hollow
Fishing Festivals
Creatures of the Night
Snake Night
Christmas Tree Sales
Never Participated
0
20
40
60
80
100
Open-Ended Comments on Programs
Constraints to participating
•Money
•Time
•Updates
Positive feedback
• New programs or services
•Staff
Lime Hollow Camp
Percent of Member Respondents
Whose Children Attend Camp
Yes
No
47%
53%
Satisfaction with Camp
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Importance of Camp Qualities
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Very Important
Important
Neutral
Unimportant
Very Unimportant
Importance of Qualities
Safety
Staff qualifications
Nature-based
Cleanliness
Cost
Program
Location
Program topics
Variety of facilities
Reputation
Hours of operation
Tradition
ACA accreditation
Availability of swimming
Mean
4.87
4.79
4.60
4.47
4.41
4.37
4.37
4.37
4.29
4.21
4.19
3.63
3.45
2.80
How Well Does Lime Hollow Camp
Serve Children with Disabilities?
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Excellent
Good
Neutral
Fair
Poor
Would You Recommend
Lime Hollow Camp to Others?
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
Interest in Facilities
Interest in New or Expanded Facilities
60
50
Member
40
Public
30
20
10
0
Ideas for a New Education Building
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Environmentally friendly, sustainable
Sensation of being outdoors
Many windows
Architecture complements nature
Large multi-purpose rooms
Learning tools
Designated entrance, storage
Showers, larger bathrooms
Evaluation of Facilities
Evaluation of Lime Hollow Facilities
90%
Excellent
80%
Good
70%
Fair
60%
Poor
50%
Never Participated
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Satisfaction with
Current Education Building
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
N = 76
Mean = 3.3
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Very
Dissatisfied
Member Loyalty
Why did you become a member of Lime Hollow?
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Do you plan to
renew your membership?
6%
Yes
No
94%
Reasons for Renewal or Non-Renewal
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
Benefits of Lime Hollow
Percent
Lime Hollow Contributes to
Quality of Life in Our Community
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Member mean = 4.9
Public mean = 4.5
Member
Public
Strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
Percent
Lime Hollow Contributes to
Sense of Community
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Member mean = 4.5
Public mean = 4.3
Member
Public
Strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral Disagree Strongly
disagree
Lime Hollow Positively Impacts the
Local Economy
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Member mean = 4.2
Public mean = 4.1
Member
Public
Strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
Lime Hollow Contributes Positively
to the Environment
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Member mean = 4.8
Public mean = 4.4
Member
Public
Strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral Disagree Strongly
disagree
Percent
We Need Lime Hollow in Our
Community
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Member mean = 4.7
Public mean = 4.5
Member
Public
Strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral Disagree Strongly
disagree
Ways to Facilitate
Increased Use of Lime Hollow
Communication
Percent
Best Print or Traditional Methods to
Communicate with the Public
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Best Electronic Method to
Communicate with the Public
0
20
40
E-mail
Facebook
E-Newsletter
Television
Radio
LH Website
Twitter
Other
Percent
60
80
100
Overall Best Method of
Communication to the Public
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
How Members First Learn
About Lime Hollow
Best Way to Communicate to Members
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Do Members Read the Monthly eNewsletter?
Ways to Facilitate
Increased Use of Lime Hollow
Scheduling
Best Days of Week for Programs
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
Public Percent
40%
Mem. Percent
30%
20%
10%
0%
Best Times on Weekdays for Programs
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
Public
15
Member
10
5
0
Best Times on Weekends for Programs
60
50
40
30
20
Public
Member
10
0
Ways to Facilitate
Increased Use of Lime Hollow
Other Factors
Percent
Factors that Would Increase
Use of Lime Hollow
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Member %
Public %
Member
Comments and Suggestions
Feedback from Members
Categories
Member Appreciation:
Themes
Exemplary Quotes
Friendliness/Care/Dedication "Lime Hollow has a great staff
of Staff
and often it is the people
working the programs that
determine their success."
"The staff are very dedicated,
friendly, and caring."
Improvements Made
"Many thanks for the
marvelous improvements that
have been made since the
nature center opened on
McLean road."
Programming
"Although we are child-free,
we are delighted and
encouraged by the depth and
breadth of programming for
children of all ages."
Feedback from Members
Categories
Member
Desires:
Themes
Exemplary Quotes
Areas to Socialize
"Sometime we'd just like to hang out, meet
other people, but it feels kind of awkward
to do that at McLean Road. [We] would like
to be able to do that more, somehow.“
Hands-on Experiences
"They[members] may be more inclined to
pay for 'experiences,' like holding or
hunting with a hawk, learning to cook
dessert over a fire or in a clay oven…but
really they[Lime Hollow] need an
attraction, something people would be
willing to pay membership dues for.“
Feedback from Members
Categories
Member
Desires:
(cont.)
Themes
Exemplary Quotes
Specific Classes/Activities
Offered
“I would really like to see a survival class
taught. Outdoor/campfire cooking would
be fun, Wilderness First Aid, identifying
edible/medicinal plants, and cooking with
native ingredients."
"[I] would like to have more activities for
active seniors.“
Specific Facilities
"A safe bike route is one of the most
important things to develop, along with a
new education building.“
Preliminary Conclusions
 Lime Hollow is well regarded and well known
 Members and public see the benefits of Lime Hollow
 Trails, trails, trails
 Members have great ideas for new education building
 Seasonal programs are the most attended
 Winter use low
 Lime Hollow camps get an A+
 Low support for childcare
 Members are loyal – they support the mission
 Electronic communication best
 Better publication of events & safe bike route needed
 Staff is cherished
Preliminary Recommendations
 Develop a trail master plan
 Develop a Facebook page that is updated




daily; continue with eNewsletter
Further explore childcare; proceed carefully
Involve members in development of new
education building
Develop winter programs – if you offer they
will come!
Continue your great work! The public and
members recognize and appreciate it!
What’s Next?
 Finalize analysis
 Written report
 Post findings on
website
Thank you to Glenn Reisweber
and the LHCEC Board and Staff
Questions?