Anza Borrego Desert State Park - California State Parks - State of ...

Final Report – October 2001
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Contents
Contents ........................................................................................................................3
Executive Summary ..........................................................................................................4
About the Study.................................................................................................................6
Purpose of the Visitor Study..........................................................................................6
Methodology......................................................................................................................7
Timeline.........................................................................................................................7
Population......................................................................................................................7
Sampling Strategy .........................................................................................................7
Table 1. Sample size by site and season.....................................................................8
Survey Instrument .........................................................................................................8
Non-participation Bias ...................................................................................................9
Data Analysis.................................................................................................................9
Characteristics of the Visitors..........................................................................................10
Seasonal And Site Differences....................................................................................10
Origin of Park Visitors..................................................................................................10
Education.....................................................................................................................16
Size of Community of Origin........................................................................................18
Visitor Household Income............................................................................................19
Group Size...................................................................................................................21
Group Type..................................................................................................................22
Length of Visit..............................................................................................................24
Awareness of the Park ................................................................................................27
Plans to Return to the Park .........................................................................................29
Accommodations Used................................................................................................30
What Experiences do Visitors Seek in a Trip to Anza-Borrego?.....................................33
Anza Borrego Values and Visitor Motivation ...............................................................33
Measurement of the Values Visitors Place on Anza Borrego......................................33
Measurement of the Reasons for Visiting Anza Borrego.............................................35
How do Visitors Evaluate the Management of Anza Borrego Desert State Park?..........39
Measurement of Management Support .......................................................................39
How do Visitors view the Acceptability of Ecological, Managerial and Social Conditions
within the Park?...............................................................................................................43
The Photo Series.........................................................................................................43
Acceptability of Vegetation Loss at Coyote Canyon....................................................43
Acceptability of Visitor Density at Blair Valley .............................................................50
Acceptability of Visitor Density at Fish Creek ..............................................................54
Acceptability of Trail Standards at Borrego Palm Canyon...........................................60
Acceptability of Trail Standards at Mountain Palm Springs.........................................65
Management Actions to Achieve/Maintain Acceptable Conditions..............................70
Summary.........................................................................................................................71
Appendix A: Sample Questionnaire ...............................................................................73
Appendix B: Cover Letter from Superintendent .............................................................82
Appendix C: Visitor Comments .......................................................................................85
comments: Fall visitors to the visitor center................................................................86
Comments: Fall visitors to Borrego Palm Canyon......................................................88
Comments: Fall Visitors to Blair Valley.......................................................................90
Comments: Fall visitors to Coyote Canyon ................................................................92
Comments: Fall visitors to Fish Creek........................................................................95
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