New survey highlights the need to invest in the long-term success of B.C.’s trails, parks and outdoor spaces
Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society image
Coinciding with BC Trails Day on June 3, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC today unveiled findings from its second annual survey of outdoor recreation participation habits and preferences among British Columbians.
The survey shows that nearly seven out of every ten adult B.C. residents have participated in outdoor recreation in B.C. in the past twelve months, and 2.8 million adult British Columbians enjoyed the outdoors last year.
Ipsos conducted the survey on behalf of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC), an organization representing more than 70 organizational members and a broad and diverse spectrum of outdoor recreation user groups in British Columbia.
Ipsos surveyed 800 British Columbians in May 2023 on a range of issues, including outdoor recreation participation, motivation for participation, the importance placed on community and provincial trails, and the perceived maintenance requirements of trails in British Columbia.
"Trails and outdoor spaces offer an incredible number of benefits to individuals and communities in British Columbia, including opportunities for physical activity, promoting mental well-being and social connectedness, and helping us experience nature. The survey results reaffirm this,” said Louise Pedersen, Executive Director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC.
According to the survey, nearly seven out of ten adult B.C. residents (68%) participated in at least one outdoor recreation activity such as hiking, climbing, bird watching, camping, horseback riding, hunting, quad riding, canoeing, backcountry skiing and snowmobiling in British Columbia the past 12 months, which was virtually unchanged from the last survey in 2022 (70%).
There is a higher rate of participation among males (73%), younger people between 18-34 (85%), those with an annual household income over $100,000 (79%), those living in Northern BC or the Interior (72%), and who have children (83%). Those least likely to participate in outdoor activities were females (64%), people living in Metro Vancouver (65%), and those over the age of 55 (48%).
Outdoor enthusiasts have many reasons for participating in outdoor recreation in the past 12 months, but the survey identified three primary motivators; spending time in nature (50%), being physically active outdoors (49%) and relaxing and disconnecting (44%).
According to the survey, Gen Z is engaging in outdoor recreation for different reasons than their older counterparts and are more likely than older generations to cite “to spend time with family and friends” (22%) as the number one benefit that draws them to engage in outdoor activities. Boomers participate mainly to “be physically active outdoors” (29%).
The survey also sought to understand the importance to British Columbians of having access to outdoor recreation amenities (trails, parks, recreation sites, day-use areas, campsites or access roads) close to home and in British Columbia. Eighty percent (80%) said access to outdoor recreation amenities such as trails in their community is important (42% very important). For access to outdoor recreation amenities in the province, outside of their community, 81% of the respondents said it was important (48% very important).
Pedersen continued, “The results of this poll come as no surprise. We continuously hear and see how important outdoor recreation opportunities and public natural spaces are for many British Columbians. What’s new is that we now know that access to outdoor recreation locally and provincially is important to 80% of B.C. residents. We also have a better understanding of what motivates them.”
“This data paints a positive picture for outdoor recreation, especially when considering the perceived personal benefits, alongside the growing body of research that shows that our health has little to do with the healthcare system and more to do with public health policies that focus on the environmental and social aspects of health. Trails, parks and other public natural spaces are ideal settings for supporting these and other aspects of human well-being. As a province, we must do more to ensure that all British Columbians are able to access meaningful outdoor recreation opportunities, including kids, older adults, and people with disabilities.”
Despite the benefits, increased recreational use puts more pressure on B.C.'s recreation infrastructure and natural spaces, which elevates the need for volunteers to perform important repair and safety work, educate trail users about key outdoor concepts such as preparedness and leaving no trace, and work with land managers to mitigate the substantial effects of climate change-induced wildfires, flooding and erosion.
The survey revealed that 93% of British Columbians recognize that trails require maintenance. However, they are largely unaware of the significant role volunteers play in maintaining trails, with approximately half believing paid trail crews are maintaining trails.
Louise Pedersen noted, "Volunteer trail stewards are crucial to the success of B.C.’s trail and recreation system. Over the last two decades, our provincial recreation management agencies, BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC, experienced severe budget constraints, and community volunteers had to step in. Volunteer groups perform most of the crew work on many trails today. The need for more volunteers will continue to grow as our trails need more regular maintenance and cleanup when more people venture outdoors, and we need to ensure they are well supported."
The growing interest in outdoor recreation and the need for maintenance dollars are more recognized today than ever. This year, the Province of BC allocated a $10 million contribution to establish an Outdoor Recreation Fund and invested $71 million in operating and capital funding over three years to BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC. ORCBC believes we are moving in the right direction, and we still have more work to do to support B.C.’s important outdoor recreation sector.
About the Study
These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC. The poll of 800 adult (18+) British Columbians was conducted online via the Ipsos I-Say Panel from May 12-15, 2023. These data were statistically weighted by region, age, gender and education to ensure the sample composition reflects that of the actual British Columbia population according to Census data. The precision of Ipsos polls containing online data is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the overall poll (n=800) is accurate to within +/- 4.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all British Columbia adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
Click to access data tables (partial results, easier to view), the complete data tables, and Ipsos’ media release.
Examples of media coverage received:
CBC: New survey highlights British Columbians' love of the outdoors
Vancouver Is Awesome: 'Part of our culture': 68% of B.C. adults take part in outdoor recreation, says poll
Vancouver Sun: Wealthy young men living outside the city mostly likely to access B.C.'s great outdoors, survey finds
Vancouver Island Free Daily: Survey highlights importance of investment in B.C.’s trails, parks
