2019 joffre lakes visitor survey -...

2019 Joffre Lakes Provincial Park Survey

Results

2019 JOFFRE LAKES PROVINCIAL PARK SURVEY | RESULTS2

2019 Joffre Lakes Provincial Park Survey ResultsENGAGEMENT SUMMARY

Recreation and tourism growth in the Sea to Sky region has been accelerating since the improvement of the Sea to Sky Highway and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Sea to Sky Highway has over 3 MILLION travellers per year, with most visitors seeking a nature-based recreation experience. This increase in tourism is reflected in the exponential increase in attendance at many provincial parks in the region, particularly Joffre Lakes Park.

In 2019, 196,322 people visited the park; this represents a 7% increase in park attendance from 2018, and a 222% increase from 2010. Concerns around the sustainability of this growth have been raised by First Nations, the regional district, local municipalities, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), non profit organizations, and the public.

To gather input on measures to improve safety and management of the park, BC Parks conducted surveys of park users, both in-park, and online. A total of three surveys were conducted in January 2019, April 2019, and June to September 2019. The questions posed varied depending on the survey. This document presents a roll-up of all data from the three surveys.

The online survey was available on the BC Parks website and promoted through social media and other channels. The in-park surveys were conducted on-site, predominantly on weekends.

ENGAGEMENT TIMEFRAME ONLINE SURVEYApril 1 to April 30, 2019

RESPONSE RATE2,578 responses received

ENGAGEMENT TIMEFRAME IN-PARK SURVEYWinter: Jan 26 to Jan 29, 2019 Summer: June 29 to Sept 2, 2019

RESPONSE RATEWinter: 71 responses received Summer: 815 responses received

2019 JOFFRE LAKES PROVINCIAL PARK SURVEY | RESULTS 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF SURVEY RESULTS

Of the survey respondents, the majority were:

` From the Lower Mainland;

` Between the ages of 25 and 34;

` Occasional or first time visitors to the park.

When asked their main motivations for visiting Joffre Lakes Park, the top three motivations were noted as:

1. Seeking a nature experience,

2. For the scenic view, and

3. For physical activity.

In the online survey, the level of outdoor experience varied from intermediate to expert while in-park respondents’ level of outdoor experience varied from beginner to expert. In all groups, most respondents reported spending four to seven hours in the park per trip and generally traveled to the third lake.

Word-of-mouth was the primary way that respondents learned of the park, with most citing the BC Parks website as the best way to source information.

In the online survey, themes of safety were important to respondents. This group provided a variety of suggestions to improve pedestrian safety, parking capacity, and park management. Furthermore,

in both the in-park and online survey, respondents noted sustainable recreation use as an important value.

The majority of survey groups were willing to pay a day-use fee provided it improved park management and facilities. A significant number of respondents supported introducing a cap on visitation and a permit system as a tool to reduce crowding and congestion in the park.

INPUT LEADS TO ACTION

The Visitor Use Management Action Plan (the “Action Plan”) was released on June 25, 2019. The plan focused on priority actions for 2019 with a longer-term Visitor Use Management Strategy to be developed and released in 2020. Input received from the online public survey and key stakeholders helped inform the Action Plan and all public survey and stakeholder input will be considered when developing the longer term strategy.

BC Parks will continue to conduct visitor surveys in the park on a regular basis, as possible, to ensure we continue to gather information from park users.

The link to the 2019 Visitor Use Management Action Plan is located here: http://bcparks.ca/parks/joffre-lakes/

http://bcparks.ca/parks/joffre-lakes/


Summary of Online and In-Park Survey Responses


Section 1: Demographics

QUESTION 1: WHAT IS YOUR AGE?

17%

47%

20%

4% 6% 4%

0%3%

9%

21%

36%

15%12%

5%1% 0%1%

10%

34%

25%

15%

9%

4%1%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Under 19/No Response

19-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+

In-park Winter

In-Park Summer

Online

FIGURE 1. Age distribution of those who took the in-park versus online survey. Respondents to the online survey tended to have an older age distribution than those who responded to the in-park surveys.

QUESTION 2: JOFFRE LAKES PARK ATTRACTS BOTH LOCAL VISITORS AND THOSE VISITING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

54%

43%

1%

20%

2%

28%

0%

20%

40%

60%

4% 6%

Elsewhere in BC

5%1%

Elsewherein Canada

25%

2%

International Visitor

8%

0%

No Response

1%

Prefer not to Answer

In-Park Summer Survey

Online Survey

Whistler/Squamish

Pemberton/Mt. Currie/Lillooet D'Arcy/

N'Quatqua

GreaterVancouver

FIGURE 2. Breakdown of visitor residence, between those taking the online survey and those taking the in-park survey.


Section 2: Visitation Trends

QUESTION 1: HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU VISITED JOFFRE LAKES PARK? [Online Survey Only]

9%

1%

One-time visitor – once or twice ever

Not yet but intend to visit in the future

Occasional visitor – once every year or so

Frequent visitor – multiple times/year

Never – do not intend to

50%

23%

18%

9%

FIGURE 3. Frequency of visitation by online survey respondents; this graph shows most online respondents (50%) visited the park occasionally. Although this question was not provided to in-park respondents, Section 3: QUESTION 1 of this report shows only 5% of summer in-park respondents were return visitors.

QUESTION 2: WHAT ACTIVITY WILL YOU BE DOING/DID YOU DO TODAY AT JOFFRE LAKES PARK? [In-Park Survey Only]

In-park Summer In-park Winter

2%3% 4% 2% 1%

HikingMountaineering

Other

Roadway StopCamping

No response

Hiking

SnowshoeingRoadway stop

SkiingOther

88%

34%

39%

7%4%

13%

FIGURE 4. Types of activities conducted at Joffre Lakes Park. Most respondents engaged in hiking (88% in summer, and 39% in winter), while camping, roadway stop, and mountaineering made up the rest. Answers in the other category included: swimming (7), running (4), photography (3), modeling (1) and relaxing (1).


QUESTION 3: INCLUDING YOURSELF, HOW MANY PEOPLE DID YOU COME WITH? [In Park Summer Survey Only]

2%1%

1-3 People

4-6 People

7-10 People

> 10 People

No Response

55%32%

10%

FIGURE 5. Percent breakdown of respondent group sizes. Most respondents came in groups of 6 people or less (87%), with only a small proportion coming groups larger than 6 people (13%).1

QUESTION 4: WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE?

OnlineIn-park Summer In-park Winter

Beginner IntermediateExpert No Response

Beginner IntermediateExpert No Response

Beginner IntermediateExpert Casual

0%1%

41%

21%

13%

25%

5%

51%

45%

58%

29%

13%

FIGURE 6. Level of outdoor experience of online and in-park survey respondents. The majority of respondents ranked themselves as intermediate or expert. In-park respondents more frequently self-reported their expertise as beginner (13% versus 5%) and/or intermediate in comparison to online survey respondents who more frequently self-reported being experts.

1 Data for this question was gathered on three days between August 31 and Sept 1.


QUESTION 5: WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN MOTIVATIONS FOR VISITING JOFFRE LAKES PARK?


Online Survey80% 80%

14%

49%60%

65%

30%

3%0%

80% 77%

28%22%

45%

73%

9%14%

2%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Nature Experience

ScenicView

Solitude PhotoOpp

Time withFriends and

Family

PhysicalActivity

Always wanted to

come

Other Never Visited

FIGURE 7. Motivations for visiting Joffre Lakes Park for online and in-park respondents. Respondents primary motivations for visiting the park are a nature-based experience, scenic view, and physical activity. In-park respondents placed higher priority on a photo opportunity (49% in-park versus 22% online), time with friends and family (60% in-park versus 45% online), and “always wanted to come visit Joffre Lakes” (30% in-park versus 9% online). In contrast, online respondents placed more emphasis on solitude (28% online versus 14% in-park).

Additional motivations for online respondents included:

` Backcountry excursions;

` Mountaineering;

` Hiking;

` Skiing; and

` Camping.

Additional motivations for the in-park respondents included:

` Swimming;

` Picnics; and

` Instagram content.


QUESTION 6: HOW LONG DO YOU USUALLY VISIT THE PARK FOR?

26%

48%

28%

0% 0% 1% 0%4%

41%

51%

0%4%

0% 0%1%

22%

46%

9%11%

3%8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

0-1 hr 1-3 hr 4-7 hr 8-10 hr Overnight Multi-night No Response/Never Visited

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

Online

FIGURE 8. Breakdown of the amount of time spent in the park for online and in-park respondents. The majority of respondents indicate they spend between 4 to 7 hours in the park. In-park respondents typically spent less time in the park; 45% of summer in-park and 74% of winter in-park respondents spent less than 4 hours in the park versus 23% of online survey respondents who spent less than 4 hours in the park. Very few in-park respondents (4.4%) and 23% of online respondents said they spent more than 8 hours in the park.


QUESTION 7: WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY DESTINATION WHEN YOU VISIT JOFFRE LAKES PARK/WHEN YOU ARRIVED TODAY, WHAT DID YOU PLAN TO DO?

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

Online

34%

13%

37%

17%

7% 10%

65%

4% 3%9%

0% 1% 0%4% 7%

56%

9%

17%

0%

8%

0% 0%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

First Lake

Second Lake

Third Lake

Campground Beyond Third Lake

Selfie Log

Other – Never Visited

Other Trailhead facilities

(i.e.,washrooms)

FIGURE 9. Park destination goal of respondents. In both the online and in-park surveys, most respondents visited the third lake2.

QUESTION 8: PART 2: DID YOUR PLANS CHANGE AFTER YOU ARRIVED? [In Park Only]

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

25%13%

75%

86%

1%

Yes No No response0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

FIGURE 10. Percent breakdown of how many of the in-park survey respondents changed plans after spending time in the park. People resoundingly stuck to their original trip plans.

2 Discrepancies between the two groups exist as the survey method changed between the surveys. For example, the “Selfie Log” option was not available in the online survey, thus it is not applicable (n/a). For all responses in the graph appearing as n/a, this means that this question was not posed in the respective survey. For example, “trailhead facilities (i.e., washrooms)” and “Other – Never Visited” was not available in the in-park survey.


Section 3: Communication

QUESTION 1: WHEN YOU’VE VISITED JOFFRE LAKES PARK IN THE PAST, WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION FROM IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT?


Online Survey

0%

20%

40%

60%

47%42%

25%

14%

2% 1%5% 3% 3%

n/a

46%

36%

10%15%

1% 0.4%

20%

n/a 0% n/a

12%7%

Friends or Family

BC Parks’ Joffre

Website

SocialMedia

OtherWebsites

TourismOperator

Newspaper/TV

ReturnVisitor

Guidebook Guide or Tour

Company

Other Never Visited

FIGURE 11. Breakdown of respondents’ information sources prior to visiting Joffre Lakes Park. The majority of respondents get their information from friends and/or family (47% in-park, 46% online), BC Parks’ Joffre Park website (42% in-park, 36% online), and other websites (14% in-park and 15% online). Two major differences between in-park and online respondents are that many in-park respondents got their information through social media (25% in-park compared to 10% online) and those surveyed online tended to be return visitors (20% online compared to 5% in park).3

Under the “other” sources of park information, respondents provided the following additional information sources:

Online:

` Books

` Trail websites

` In-park

` Vancouver Trails app (7)

` Other apps (4)

` Map and signage at the trailhead (1)

3 “ Guide or Tour Company” and “Never Visited” were not categories in the online and in-park surveys, respectively. These discrepancies have been noted with a “not applicable” (n/a).


QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO YOU ABOUT THE PARK?

63%

52%

11%

22%

31%

9% 10%

2%

75%

44%

30%25%

65%

27%

8% 5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

SocialMedia

InfoShelter

VisitorCentre

Onsite Brochure Other

In-Park Summer SurveyOnline Survey

BC ParksWebsite

Signage on Trail/Trailhead Interpreter/

Park Ranger

FIGURE 12. Breakdown of how respondents prefer to get their information about the park. The majority of in-park and online respondents prefer to get their information from the BC Parks website (63% in-park, 75% online) and social media (55% in-park, 44% online). However, there is a major divergence in preference between the two groups on onsite information. Online respondents show a preference for signage on trail/trailhead (65% online versus 31% in-park). Additionally, the preference for an info shelter and onsite interpreter/park ranger was much higher among online respondents (27% online versus 9% in-park).

Under the “other” categories, both in-park and online respondents provided additional preferences.

Online:

` Books

` Third-party websites

` Local media

` Information shared within the park

` Vancouver Trails app & other apps (4)

` Local media (1)

` Third-party websites (2)

` Bloggers (2)

` Friends/family & previous visitors (2)


Section 4: Park Values

QUESTION 1: WHICH VALUES AND CONCERNS SHOULD BC PARKS CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING IMPROVEMENTS IN JOFFRE LAKES PARK? [Online Survey Only]

The top themes included:

` Safety of park visitors and safe highway conditions;

` Sustainable recreation use;

` Preserving the feeling of a wilderness experience with limited facility development; and

` Reduction of crowding on trails and at trailheads.

QUESTION 2: ARE YOU CONCERNED WITH YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WHEN VISITING PARKS? [In-Park Survey Only]

In-park SummerIn-park Winter

Yes, very much

Yes, somewhat

Neutral

No, mostly unconcerned

1% 3% 2%

Very Concerned

Somewhat Concerned

Neutral

Mostly Unconcerned

Not at all ConcernedNot at all ConcernedNo Response

59%25%

9%

6%

11%

4%

23% 57%

FIGURE 13. Percent breakdown of visitor concern on their environmental impacts within the park. The majority of respondents were either very or somewhat concerned about their environmental impact when visiting the park.


Section 4.1: Parking QUESTION 1: PLEASE SHARE YOUR MOST RECENT PARKING EXPERIENCE AT JOFFRE LAKES PARK [Online Survey Only]

49%

10% 7% 5%

21%

2%8%

0.3%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

I was able to park in the designated parking area near

the trailhead

I was able to park in the parking lot across the highway

I parked on the shoulder of the

highway and walked to the trail entrance

I parked in anarea that I was

unsure I was allowed topark

The parking area was full so

I did not stop, even though I wanted to

N/A – Never Visited

N/A –Took tour bus

Don’t remember

FIGURE 14. Breakdown of online survey respondents’ most recent parking experience. The majority of the respondents were able to find parking in the existing parking lots (59%). Some respondents parked on the highway shoulder (7%), and 5% noted a lack of clarity around parking restrictions. A high proportion of individuals (21%) reported they did not stop because the parking lots were full, even though they wanted to.

QUESTION 2: IN JOFFRE LAKES PARK, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH PARKING? [In-Park Survey Only]

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

4%

66%

28%

14%

23%

3%

13%

1% 3%0%

13%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Very Satisfied

CompletelySatisfied

11%

20%

Neutral Slightly Satisfied

Not At AllSatisfied

No Opinion

No Response

FIGURE 15. Percent breakdown of in-park responses to parking satisfaction. Many respondents were completely or very satisfied with the parking (48% of summer respondents and 51% of winter respondents).


QUESTION 3: HOW DID YOU FIND THE PARKING LOT CONDITIONS TODAY?

30%

37%

7%

3% 2%4%

16%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

ControlledVeryControlled

Busy Very busyRelativelyControlled

No ResponseNot Applicable

FIGURE 16: Perceptions of parking lot conditions in both the main and secondary parking lots during the September 2019 long weekend. The majority of respondents reported that the conditions of the parking lots were either very controlled, or controlled.4

QUESTION 4: WHAT PRESSURES DID YOU EXPERIENCE/WITNESS IN THE PARKING LOT(S) TODAY? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

6%9%

13%

5%10%

56%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

As a driver/passengerI felt stress due

to other cars

As a driver/passengerI felt stress due to pedestrians

As a pedestrianI felt stress due

to cars

Not applicable Other No Response

FIGURE 17: Respondents perceptions of pressures that they witnessed or experienced in the parking lots during the September 2019 long weekend.4

4 This data was gathered during the September long weekend in 2019. During this time period, traffic control specialists as well as park rangers were managing the parking lots. Active parking lot management only occurred on limited days throughout the season, as such, responses from respondents may not reflect conditions through the entirety of the season.


Section 4.2: Preliminary Ideas for ImprovementsQUESTION 1: THE FOLLOWING POTENTIAL PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, PARKING CAPACITY, AND TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE CONSIDERED AT JOFFRE LAKES PARK. PLEASE IDENTIFY YOUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR EACH IDEA. [Online Survey Only]

From the list provided to respondents, the top supported ideas were:

` Enforcement of “no parking” areas (i.e. ticket and/or tow vehicles parked on the highway);

` Designation of overnight parking; and

` Carpooling incentives to reduce the number of vehicles.

The ideas that were least supported by respondents included:

` Creating zones with limited parking time;

` Creating additional parking areas; and

` Creating a separate bus/RV only parking area.

QUESTION 2: DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC IDEAS OR CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, PARKING CAPACITY, AND TRAFFIC SAFETY? [Online Survey Only]

The most common suggestions were:

` Creating day-use permits;

` Require paid parking; and,

` Creating additional hiking trails to distribute use.

Additional suggestions were:

` Creating a safe walkway from the secondary parking lot to the main lot;

` Posting messaging informing visitors when the parking lot is full;

` Reducing the number of tour buses; and,

` Improving roadside signage.


Section 4.3: Visitor SatisfactionQUESTION 1: IN JOFFRE LAKES PARK, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH TRAILS, WASHROOMS, AND CAMPGROUND (IF YOU CAMPED)? [In-Park Survey Only]

Trails68%

14%10%

3%0% 1%

4%

51%

29%

6%1% 1%

11%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

CompletelySatisfied

Very Satisfied Neutral SlightlySatisfied

Not At AllSatisfied

No Opinion No Response

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

Washrooms

CompletelySatisfied


Not At AllSatisfied

No Opinion No Response

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

44%

11% 13%9% 7%

13%

4%

20% 18%21%

11%8%

22%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

Campground

CompletelySatisfied


Not At AllSatisfied

No Opinion No Response0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

18%

3%9%

1% 0%

65%

4%

38%

21%

37%

2% 2% 0%

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

FIGURE 18. Percent breakdown for respondents’ in-park experiences with trails, washroom, and camping facilities. Most in-park visitors did not actually hike to – or camp in the campground, as a result, most responses (75%) were no response or no opinion. However, of those who did camp/hike to the campground, respondents were generally satisfied with the camping (59%) and few were slightly satisfied or not satisfied (4%).


QUESTION 2: OVERALL, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU ABOUT YOUR VISIT IN JOFFRE LAKES PARK? [In-Park Only]

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

CompletelySatisfied


Not At AllSatisfied

No response

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

65%

21%

47%

30%

3%

11%

1%5% 7%

3% 3% 3%

FIGURE 19. Percent breakdown for overall satisfaction of respondents that participated in the in-park surveys. The majority of visitors (91% & 90%) were either completely satisfied or very satisfied with their visit. Only 1.5% of visitors in the summer and 3% in winter were either slightly satisfied or not satisfied.

QUESTION 3: WILL YOU RETURN TO JOFFRE LAKES PARK IN THE FUTURE? [In-Park Only]

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Very likely Likely Neutral Unlikely Very unlikely No response

In-Park Winter

In-Park Summer

65%

21%

3% 1%

7%3%

47%

30%

11%

5% 3% 3%

FIGURE 20. Percent breakdown showing how likely it is that in-park visitors will return to Joffre Lakes Park in the future. Overall, 77% of summer respondents and 86% of winter respondents felt it likely or very likely that they would return with a very small percentage responding that it was unlikely or very unlikely that they would return


Section 4.4: Perceptions of Usage QUESTION 1: VISITOR PERCEPTIONS OF CROWDING [In-Park Summer Survey Only]

In August 2019, five additional survey questions about crowding preferences were added to the in-park surveys, with approximately 360 responses. These questions were posed in relation to images showing different numbers of people on a path. The images were used to represent hypothetical hiking scenarios at Joffre Lakes Park. The images showed scenarios ranging from least crowded (photograph 1 – e.g. no people) to most crowded (photograph 6 – e.g. 12+ people). The questions were as follows:

A. Choose a photo where you feel most comfortable hiking.

FIGURE 21A. These graphs represent the percentage of respondents who felt a photograph (1-6) best represented the visitor numbers creating their most comfortable hiking conditions. Most respondents felt photographs 1-3 represented the visitor user numbers that they were most comfortable hiking in (86%). This suggests a visitor preference and comfort with less-crowded hiking trails. Photograph 3 was preferred for the largest percentage of visitors at 36%, while photograph 6 had the fewest respondents label it as a preference with only 2% ranking.


B. Which photo shows the level of use that you would prefer to experience on the trail you hiked today?

FIGURE 21B. These graphs represent the percentage of respondents who felt a photograph (1-6) best represented the preferred experience that they would have liked to have had on the Joffre Lakes Park trail. In these images, most respondents felt photographs 1-3 represented the visitor numbers they would have preferred to experience (77%). Like figure 19a, the largest percentage of users preferred photograph 3, with only a few other users visible on the trail, as their ideal level of use at Joffre (37%). However, the percentage of respondents who felt photographs 4-6 represented the level of use they would have liked to have had was higher than people’s most comfortable hiking conditions represented in part a (24% total compared to 14% total).


C. Which photo looks most like the number of hikers you typically saw during your hike in this park?

FIGURE 21C. These graphs represent the percentage of respondents who felt a photograph (1-6) best represented the actual level of use they experienced on the day of the survey. Most respondents felt photographs 5 & 6 represented the visitor numbers they saw during their hike (74%). These responses contrast those reported in part a and part b. This shows that for many respondents, their preference and expectations for level of use was different than their perception of the actual level of use in the park.


D. Which photo shows the highest level of use that park managers should allow on the trail in this park?

FIGURE 21D. These graphs represent the percentage of respondents who felt a photograph (1-6) best represented the highest allowable level of use that park managers should allow. Most respondents felt that photograph 4 is the maximum that park managers should allow (38%). However, a large portion also felt that photograph 5 should be the maximum park managers should allow (28%). Overall, 82% of responses indicated that their perception of maximum allowable use falls somewhere between the numbers seen in photographs 3-5. These numbers contrast with respondent’s perceptions of levels of use on the day of the survey, which is noted in figure 19c.


E. In which situation in the photos, would you feel safest?

FIGURE 21E. These graphs represent the percentage of respondents who felt a photograph (1-6) best represented the visitor numbers where they felt safest. Given the options provided, most respondents (83%) felt photographs 2-4 represented the trail density where they feel safest. Specifically, the largest percentage of respondents felt photograph 3 was their safest hiking environment at 45%. On each end of the spectrum, respondents felt less safe; i.e. respondents felt less safe when no one was around (only 7% of respondents felt that was the situation where they felt safest) and when there were many people around (only 4% of respondents felt that was the situation where they felt safest).


QUESTION 2: IN THIS SECTION, INDICATE HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THESE STATEMENTS [In-Park Summer Survey Only]

A. I feel safe when I am alone on the trail.

Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree

21%

28%24%

17%

9%

B. I feel safer when I hike with my peers.

55%29%

12%

1% 3%

Strongly Agree

DisagreeStrongly Disagree

AgreeNeutral

C. I feel safer when I hike with other people around.

28%

33%

28%

7%4%

Strongly Agree

NeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree

Agree

FIGURE 22. Visitor perception of safety when a) alone on the trail; b) hiking with peers; c) hiking when others are around.


Section 4: Park ManagementQUESTION 1: WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY A DAY-USE FEE TO ENTER THE PARK IF YOU KNEW THE MONEY WAS BEING REINVESTED BACK INTO THE PARK?

59%

17%14%

10%

61%

23%

11%5%

75%

11% 11%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Yes No No opinion No response/other

In-park WinterIn-Park SummerOnline

FIGURE 23. Comparison of in-park and online survey responses to visitors’ willingness to pay a day-use fee to enter the park. Overall, both in-park and online respondents were in support of charging a day-use fee.

Under “Other”, additional comments about day-use fees from the online survey included:

` Importance of having funding directed to the park;

` Fees should be associated with peak season;

` Reducing the number of tour buses;

` Improving roadside signage;

` Access to the park should be free for locals/Indigenous communities;

` Fees should be tied to parking;

` A “per-car” fee should be considered;

` Fees should be by donation;

` Season passes should be available;

` Fees may be an economic barrier to some users;

` Funds should support local search and rescue; and

` Displacement may occur, people may choose to visit other areas that do not have a fee.

Under “Other”, additional comments about day-use fees from the in-park survey included:

` The fee should be nominal;

` Fees should only be implemented if there’s a limit on visitation;

` Fees should be tied to parking/per car;

` Fees need to go directly to protecting the park; and

` Annual passes should be available.


QUESTION 2: IF SO, WHAT AMOUNT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY PER PERSON?

In-Park Summer

Online

24%

41%

13%16%

43%

25%

0% 0%

5%

0%3%

0%3%

0%

5%

0%

5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

$2 $5 $10 <$5 $5-10 $10-$20 No Response

Opposed to Fee

Other

FIGURE 24. Representation of visitors’ perceptions of how much they would be willing to pay to visit Joffre Lakes Park. Most visitors were willing to spend between $2 and $10, with the largest proportion showing preference for a $5 fee (41% in-park versus 43% online).5

QUESTION 3: DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR PARK INVESTMENTS/NEW FACILITIES? [Online Survey Only]

The most common suggestions were:

` Installation of additional washrooms and garbage bins;

` Creation of an information kiosk;

` Development of additional trails within the park; and

` Increased cleaning of facilities and trails.

Additional suggestions include:

` Creation of a look-out at Third Lake and First Lake;

` Installation of benches;

` Installation of boardwalks;

` Creation of camping platforms;

` Construction of additional campsites;

` RV parking;

` Increased parking;

` Additional bear caches; and

` Environmental restoration.

5 Several answer options available in the online survey were not provided in the in-park survey, including all the options with price ranges. Lastly, there was no option for being opposed to the fee in the park as this question pertained to those who said yes to Section 4 – Question 1.


QUESTION 4: WHEN YOU VISITED JOFFRE LAKES PARK IN THE PAST, DID YOU FEEL THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU ENCOUNTERED IN THE PARK HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR VISIT? [Online]

DID THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU ENCOUNTERED IN THE PARK TODAY HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR VISIT? [In-Park Summer]

OVERALL, DID YOU FEEL THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU ENCOUNTERED IN THE PARK TODAY HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR VISIT? [In-Park Winter]

In-park Summer

Yes No No Response

45%

55%

9%

Online

Yes No N/A –Never Visited

75%

18%

7%

In-park Winter

Yes No No response

28%

68%

4%

FIGURE 25. Respondents’ feelings about whether the number of other visitors encountered had a impact on their visit. The majority (75%) of online respondents felt their visit was negatively impacted by the number of visitors. In contrast, about 45% of in-park visitors in summer, and 28% of in-park visitors in winter felt this way.


Online respondents provided the locations/actions that resulted in a negative experience.

` Congestion and crowding;

` Encountering unprepared visitors;

` Drones disturbing quiet space;

` Music disturbing quiet space;

` Human waste;

` Lack of outdoor etiquette;

` Facilities do not match the level of use, and are often unclean; and

` Line-ups and bottlenecks on the trail.

In-park respondents provided the locations/actions that resulted in a negative experience.

` Congestion on the hiking trail;

` General congestion in the park,

` Congestion at the Second Lake area,

` Congestion at the Third Lake area,

` Congestion at the viewpoint areas;

` Congestion at the selfie log;

` Music and noise on the trail;

` Garbage on trails and in facilities;

` Environmental degradation;

` Feeding animals; and

` Parking.


QUESTION 5: WOULD YOU AGREE WITH LIMITING THE NUMBER OF DAY VISITORS IN THE PARK IF IT MEANT YOU’D ENCOUNTER FEWER VISITORS AND YOU WERE GUARANTEED EASIER ACCESS?

In-park Winter

In-Park Summer

Online

48% 48%

4%

65%

29%

6%

84%

16%

0%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Yes No No response

FIGURE 26. Survey respondents support for a cap on attendance. In both surveys, the majority of respondents agreed with limiting the number of day users to provide a better experience.

QUESTION 6: DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING PARK MANAGEMENT AT JOFFRE LAKES PARK? [Online Survey Only]

Respondents provided the following top four suggestions for improving park management:

` Don’t advertise the park;

` Increase education;

` Increase staff levels; and

` Create a day-use permit system.

MiddleJo�re Lake

UpperJo�re Lake

JOFFRE LAKESPARK

LowerJo�re Lake

Du�ey Lake Rd

2019 joffre lakes visitor survey -...

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