Economic Impact Study Trail User Surveys

We are launching the Bayfield Area Trails Economic impact study trail user surveys. We need your help.
 
Trails! Hiking, XC skiing, snowshoeing, biking …. presumably trails in the Bayfield Peninsula are valuable and attract people to the area to visit and live.

1. But how valuable and how many people?
2. What is the economic impact of trail visitors on local businesses?  
3. Should local governments and potential grantors be investing more or less toward trail development?
4. When land use decisions are being considered, can the value of trails be calculated and factored into decisions?
   

Trail User Surveys:

​A central element to the study will be gathering data at trailheads across the Peninsula. Starting in mid-September, volunteers will conduct trail user interviews regarding trail use, where trail users live, and their local spending.

​Interviews will be conducted on multiple trails, at different times of day, on varied days of the week and over all four seasons!

User Survey Locations

• Big Ravine – Gil Larsen
• Big Ravine – North Ravine
• Big Ravine – Hilltop
• Brownstone Trail
• Les Voigt Fish Hatchery
• Jerry Jolly Trails
• Salmo Trail
• Mt. Ashwabay
• Lost Creek Falls
• Siskiwit River Preserve
• Frog Bay Tribal Park

We need volunteers: If you’re not the type to run a chainsaw, swing an ax, or build rock steps, this is an excellent opportunity to support Bayfield Area Trails. We are looking for folks who are willing to sign up for 2-hour shifts at a trailhead where they will greet trail users, conduct a short interview, and enter interview results into a database via a personal tablet or phone. Volunteers will receive training and will be provided name tags and a Bayfield Area Trails ball cap to identify them as trail volunteers. Volunteers will have lots of flexibility to sign up when times are convenient for them; and they may choose to work with another person or alone.
 
Timing: We plan to conduct the first volunteer training the week after Labor Day and to start trail surveys by September 15th.
 
Sign up here: If you are interested in possibly volunteering, please sign up here. We will invite you to the training and give you a chance to give it a try! Please sign up via this link.

Meet the project coordinator: Hillary Jewell, an avid outdoorsperson, farmer, and mother of two small children brings skill and enthusiasm to the project. Hilary will coordinate and support volunteers conducting surveys at trailheads across the Bayfield Peninsula.

READ THE PROJECT FACT SHEET

Project Coordinator: Hillary Jewell