Executive summary: Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008-2013 [2007]

Sonny Perdue, Governor
State of Georgia
Noel Holcomb, Commissioner
Georgia Department of Natural Resources

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008-2013

For more information about SCORP 2008-2013, for additional online resources or to download the entire SCORP document, visit the Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites website at
www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/SCORP.
You may also contact the Georgia State Parks & Historic sites office by telephone at 404-656-2770 or by email at Director.GSPHS@dnr.state.ga.us.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Scorp
Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008-2013
We can no longer take our natural environment and outdoor recreation for granted. The future of Georgia, the protection of our natural resources and the provision of quality outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations are in our hands--and we must act now.

Federal Funding for Outdoor Recreation
Federal funds for outdoor recreation are made available through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). States are eligible for these funds based upon approval of SCORP. In Georgia, the agency responsible for SCORP is DNR's Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division (PRHSD). The division uses the funds to help state and local governments acquire, develop and rehabilitate recreation facilities and resources.
40 year funding program
$150 million invested in outdoor recreation
95% of all counties have benefited
In the last 40 years Georgia has received more than $75 million from the LWCF program. Those grants have leveraged an additional $75 million from local governments through matching funds for a total of $150 million invested in outdoor recreation. Nearly 95% of all counties in Georgia have benefited from LWCF funding since 1965.

This Executive Summary is an excerpt from the full version of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) for 2008-2013. The full SCORP contains extensive qualitative and quantitative research findings, referral to an online inventory of all outdoor recreation areas and facilities in the State, demographics and statistics, case studies and descriptive detail. The Executive Summary highlights the major trends, priorities and elements for success that are detailed in the complete, 87-page SCORP document. Georgia law mandates the development of this state policy.

TRENDS

IMPACTING

OUTDOOR

RECREATION

PRIORITIES

Rapid urbanization Promote health, & loss of greenspace fitness and livability
of all communities

Declining health & diminished conservation

Enhance economic vitality

Growing support for outdoor recreation

Conserve and properly use natural resources

CRITICAL ELEMENTS FOR SUCCESS Committment
Education
Funding

Executive Summary | Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2013

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Trends
Assessing current trends and analyzing impact
Six major trends impact outdoor recreation in Georgia. Of those, rapid urbanization and demographic shifts, declining health and a disconnection from nature among Georgians, and record levels of demonstrated support for funding for outdoor recreation are most compelling.

TRENDS IMPACTING OUTDOOR RECREATION IN GEORGIA
Rapid urbanization
Loss of greenspace
Need for diverse recreation opportunities
Declining health
Diminished conservation ethic
Growing support for outdoor recreation

Georgia's population is growing and will reach nearly 11 million by 2015. Statewide, over 106 acres are lost each day to development--55 acres per day in Atlanta alone. By 2015, only two years beyond the horizon of this SCORP, 12 counties are projected to experience growth in excess of 75%.
In addition, Georgia is becoming home to an increasingly diverse population in terms of ethnicity, age and income. Forty percent of Georgia's new residents are foreign-born. By 2015, ten percent of Georgia's population will be Hispanic and Georgia will have the largest proportion of African Americans when compared to the other top ten most populous states. As we grow more diverse, we are also seeing increases in both our elderly and youth populations. And, while our economy is relatively strong, 12.5% of our citizens continue to live in poverty.
Rapid urbanization and demographic shifts are resulting in the loss of natural resources, a greater demand for outdoor recreation opportunities and the need for diverse recreational offerings.

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Executive Summary | Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2013

Georgia Housing Density Increase 2000-2030
Housing Units per Km2 0 0-2 2-4 4-8 8-16 16-128 >128 water

2000

2030

FUndInG EXAMplES
national park Service 2008 Budget Request
$ 40.6 million 3,000 new employees $ 35.0 million cyclic maintenance $ 3.4 million expand volunteer programs $ 1.0 million Junior Rangers/Web Rangers $ 20.0 million resource protection
Presidential Challenge $3 Billion
($100 million/year for 10 years if matched with private donations)

SILVIS Lab, University of Wisconsin-Madison U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station
As Georgia becomes more urbanized, sustaining a connection to our natural resources becomes extremely challenging. Parks and nature-based outdoor recreation opportunities provide critically important connections to our natural world and help to advance an effective conservation ethic.
It is clearly our generation's responsibility to recognize the impact of this growth and diversity and to take decisive action to properly guide it to the best of our ability.
Georgians' increasingly sedentary lifestyles and disconnection from nature are resulting in alarming health declines and a diminishing conservation ethic.

Texas State parks & Wildlife (2007) $180 million
(includes $36.5 million for their local park grant program)
Cobb County, Georgia (2006) $40 million
(park land acquisition)
paulding County, Georgia (2006) $15 million
(collaboration with GA DNR to purchase 7,020-acre Paulding Forest Wildlife Management Area; total federal, state, local and foundation investment of $45 million)
City of Atlanta, Georgia $3 million increase (2006) and $2 million increase (2007)
(park operations and maintenance)

Georgia is facing an obesity epidemic. At a time when

obesity rates among adults and children are skyrocketing,

the important role of physical activity and access to outdoor

INACTIVE
17%

recreation resources cannot be

REG

underestimated.

Our `target market' is primarily

UlARlY ACTIVE InSUFF

42%

the insufficiently active segment of Georgians who will choose

to be more active if they can

41%

find fun and rewarding outdoor

ICIEnTlY ACTIVE

recreation activities. This segment represents just over 40% of Georgia's population, and is

Our target market

over-represented by women, minorities, people aged 65 years

and over, people with low income or low education and non-metro residents.
VOTE YES Americans and Georgians are financially supporting outdoor recreation at record levels.
Georgians are demonstrating their support for city and county bond referendums for local park improvements in record numbers. In fact, 88% of Georgians support public investments in parks and outdoor recreation areas, according to the telephone survey conducted for SCORP.

Executive Summary | Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2013

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pRIoRITIES
The role of outdoor recreation in shaping Georgia's future
It is imperative for local, state and federal governments to work collaboratively with private sector organizations to secure a future where Georgians live healthier lifestyles, the economic well-being of communities is sustained and wildlife and natural resources are conserved.

GEoRGIA STATE AppRopRIATIonS oVERVIEW*
land Acquisition Initiatives
($300+ million over 17 years) Preservation 2000 RiverCare 2000 Chattahoochee River Campaign Georgia Greenspace Initiative Georgia Land Conservation Plan
Acquisition, development & Rehabilitation Initiatives Specifically for public Recreation
($11 million over 21 years) Recreation Assistance Fund (1978-1999)

Priorities for SCORP 20082013 build on the sciencebased research and insights from both current and previous plans, address anticipated trends and take Georgia into the coming decade with vision, focus and urgency.
GEoRGIA'S oUTdooR RECREATIon pRIoRITIES FoR 2008 - 2013
1 Promote Health, Fitness and Livability of All Communities
2 Enhance Economic Vitality

* Not including single purpose or discretionary project appropriations

3 Conserve and Properly Use Natural Resources

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Executive Summary | Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2013

1 Promote Health, Fitness and Livability of All
Communities
We must act now to make tangible contributions toward healthy living by reinforcing the connection between health, quality of life and outdoor recreation.

KEY STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Improve access to outdoor recreation resources and facilities by establishing parks near where people live and work and by exploring ways to connect existing facilities for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles (bikes, in-line skates, horses, etc.).
Attend to segments of the population that are underserved by existing facilities (e.g., seniors, young adults and African American populations).
Work with statewide organizations such as the Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Recreation and Park Association and others to develop programs that promote health and livability and to incorporate those programs into state and local outdoor recreation.

2 Enhance Economic Vitality
We must act now to support and maintain Georgia's outdoor recreation resources so that we remain attractive to new business and industry, draw tourists across our borders and grow our tax base.

Document the economic benefits of outdoor recreation in Georgia and track the financial return from investing in outdoor recreation facilities.
Facilitate collaborations between government agencies and the private sector to advance the economic benefits of outdoor recreation and natural resource conservation.
Market our natural and recreation resources to increase public participation and foster support, advance tourism and opportunities for economic development and encourage volunteerism.
Rehabilitate, update and upgrade existing public outdoor recreation facilities to maximize marketability.
Promote outdoor recreation events, programs and facilities that attract day travelers and overnight visitation by creating partnerships with local businesses such as convention and visitor bureaus, recreation equipment vendors and guide services.

3 Conserve and Properly Use Natural Resources
We must act now to conserve our natural resources and wildlife so that we stay ahead of the state's rapid population growth, take advantage of the recent increase in support among Georgians for conservation and cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards.

Identify and prioritize key lands for acquisition, particularly in the fastest-growing areas of the state.
Establish and provide resource data and tools by establishing a Technical Assistance Unit within the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division to aid local governments that are focusing on land conservation needs in accordance with SCORP 2008-2013, the Georgia Land Conservation Plan and the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan.
Expand the SCORP inventory of outdoor recreation resources and other GIS databases to identify lands suitable for conservation.
Support land use planning that encourages conservation of natural resources and opportunities for outdoor recreation opportunities.
Expand nature-based programming opportunities at the state and local level.

Executive Summary | Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2013

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KEY CRITERIA FOR RECREATION FUNDING
Comprehensive recreation plan
Identified conservation priorities
Improves the health, livability and economic vitality of their community
Leverages funding opportunities
Economically challenged

SUCCESS
3 Critical Ingredients: Committment, Education and Funding
The challenges inherent in providing outdoor recreation opportunities for ALL Georgians are profound. However, we can and we will successfully meet those challenges by leveraging the efforts and expertise of partners and by implementing the recommendations from SCORP 2008-2013. Doing this will ensure that Georgia serves as a model for the nation in providing abundant outdoor recreation, highquality service and strong resource protection.
Implications for LWCF Funding
Beginning in 2008, LWCF application criteria will directly correlate with the SCORP 20082013 strategic recommendations. Key criteria for LWCF disbursements will favor jurisdictions that:
Have developed a thoughtful recreation plan; Demonstrate awareness of the outdoor
recreation and natural resource conservation priorities in their communities; Show a direct relationship between proposed projects and their affect on health, fitness and livability, economic vitality and resource conservation; Create alternative approaches to funding and develop partnerships that leverage and supplement requested state and federal funds.
Alternatively, LWCF disbursements should also go to jurisdictions that demonstrate a need, but have little opportunity to invest in outdoor recreation due to their economic condition.

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Executive Summary | Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2013

1 Commitment We must act now to follow through with implementation of the SCORP recommendations. Collaboration among agencies with common missions will provide the synergy needed for all Georgians to have access to quality outdoor recreation resources that meet their needs.

KEY STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Create the Georgia Outdoor Recreation Partnership (GORP) to shepherd implementation of the strategic actions from SCORP.
Enhance DNR's efforts to provide statewide recreation research, planning and technical assistance services.
Explore alternative funding sources, ways to improve service delivery and means to maximize the benefits that outdoor recreation has on local communities.
Pursue creation of a multi-jurisdictional Georgia Scenic Trails System as outlined in Ga. Code 12-3113 and 114.

2 Education We must act now to share tools and resources to conserve recreation lands and provide high quality opportunities for all. By heightening the awareness of recreation's benefits for community health and livability, economic vitality and conservation of our natural resources, we will elevate the priority of outdoor recreation with policymakers, planners, practitioners, partners and the public.

Provide balanced interpretation, education and outdoor recreation programs to expand the knowledge and appreciation of Georgia's natural and recreational resources in a manner consistent with the conservation of the resource.
Work with the Georgia Department of Education to advance healthy lifestyles and natural resource conservation in Georgia schools.

3 Funding We must act now to use funds efficiently at all levels of government, leverage them with other private and non-profit investments and seek consistent funding to guarantee outdoor recreation for current and future generations.

Work with the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and state legislative leaders to maximize existing funds and develop new funding resources that support state and local recreation land acquisition, conservation, development, rehabilitation and maintenance projects.
Create and sustain partnerships to minimize reliance on tax revenues to support the operation and maintenance of public parks and outdoor recreation areas.
Advocate for the continuation of state and local funding assistance through the LWCF program and other federal programs that support outdoor recreation opportunities in Georgia.

Executive Summary | Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2013

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ACKnoWlEdGEMEnTS

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) acknowledges the significant contributions made by numerous agencies, organizations and individuals.
A special thanks for continued insight and support goes to: Noel Holcomb, Commissioner, Georgia DNR and Lauren Travis, Policy Assistant, Office of the Governor
and to our financial partners including: Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA), Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites (FGSPHS), DNR Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) and the Georgia State Parks, Recreation & Historic Sites Division (PRHSD) especially:
Becky Kelley, LWCF State Liaison Officer and Director PRHSD Paul Nelson, Assistant Director, PRHSD Antoinette Norfleet, Director of Grants, PRHSD Eric VanDeGenachte, Consultant, PRHSD and to Linda Patrick, Publications Coordinator, PRHSD for her contributions to the design and production of the fullversion SCORP document and Executive Summary.

SCoRp Advisory Committee
Association County Commissioners of Georgia Ross King Todd Edwards
Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Tom Johnson
Georgia Conservancy Kelly Jordan Jill Johnson
Georgia Department of Community Affairs Jim Frederick
Georgia Department of Human Resources Dafna Kanny
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Beth Brown Steve Friedman Bill Fletcher Mark Whitney
Georgia Municipal Association Tom Gehl
Georgia Recreation and Park Association Tom Martin Melvin Cooper
Georgia Wildlife Federation Glenn Dowling
Park Pride George Dusenbury
UGA Public Service and Outreach L. Steven Dempsey

Georgia Board of natural Resources

Jim Walters, Chairman David Allen Bill Archer* Earl Barrs Gene Bishop Jenny Lynn Bradley* Warren Budd Bill Carruth Joe Hatfield*

Walter Hudson Mabel Jenkins* Phyllis Johnson* Ray Lambert, Jr. Bob Rutland Loyce Turner* Jim Tysinger* Tom Wheeler

*Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Committee members

UGA project Management Team
Fanning Institute Langford D. Holbrook Danny Bivins Jan Coyne Leigh Askew
Carl Vinson Institute of Government Rich Clark Leah Christian
Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology Liz Kramer
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources Gary Green
Center for Community Design and Preservation Eleonora A. Machado

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Executive Summary | Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2013

This publication is printed on paper containing 10% post-consumer recycled content which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to be environmentally sustainable.

Outdoor Recreation Strategies to Enhance Georgia's Future for Health and Livability, Economic Vitality and Resource Conservation
Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008-2013