Cover Letter and Mailings

C&O Canal National Historic Park Health & Recreation Survey

Cover Letter

Dear Participant:

Thank you for completing the attached survey. Our goal is to learn about your participation in the “Your Towpath to Healthy Living” program. This program was developed through a partnership between the C&O Canal National Historical Park, the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID), and the C&O Canal Trust.

You are one of a select number of participants who are being asked to give their opinion on these matters. Therefore, your participation is very important! The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. All of the information that you provide in this survey will be kept anonymous.

Thank you for your help!

Sincerely,

Kevin Brandt

Superintendent

C&O Canal National Historical Park

Julie Weber

Assistant Director of Public Information

Georgetown Business Improvement District

Matthew Logan

Executive Director

C&O Canal Trust

C&O Canal National Historic Park Health & Recreation Survey—Follow-up

In order to increase response rates for this study, a modified Tailored Design Method (Dillman, 2007) will be used. A postcard, and one replacement survey will be distributed to non-respondents in the weeks following the surveys. The following procedures will be used for both the pre- and post-intervention surveys associated with this study.

Post card reminder for the “Your Towpath to Healthy Living” Survey

The first follow-up will be sent through e-mail or mail (depending on how participant registers). It will be printed on a scenic park postcard (sent to all participants approximately 10 working days after the first survey was sent).

Dear Participant:

Thank you for participating in the “Your Towpath to Healthy Living” Challenge and for filling out the survey. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you have already returned your questionnaire,

thank you. If not, please mail it today—your opinions are very important!

After eight months, feel free to look for the survey results at: www.psu.uidaho.edu/vsp.reports.htm.

Signature

Kevin Brandt, Superintendent

C&O Canal National Historic Park

Second follow-up: a brief letter will be included with a replacement survey. These will be sent through email or mail (depending on how participant registers), and will be sent to non-respondents approximately 21 working days after the first survey draft was sent.

IN REPLY REFER TO:

United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Kevin Brandt, Superintendent C&O Canal National Historic Park 1850 Dual Highway Suite 100 Hagerstown, MD 21740-6620

Dear Visitor:

The National Park Service would like to thank you for participating in the “Your Towpath to Healthy Living” Challenge. As of today, we have not received your questionnaire. However, your comments are very important to us.

If you have already returned your questionnaire, thank you. If you have not returned your questionnaire, please mail it today. We are enclosing a replacement questionnaire in case you have misplaced the original. Your contribution to the success of this study is greatly appreciated.

In approximately eight months, the results of the visitor survey will be posted on the Visitor Services Project website at www.psu.uidaho.edu/vsp.reports.htm.

If you have any questions regarding your questionnaire, please contact Dave Smaldone, at West Virginia University (Recreation, Parks & Tourism Program) by phone: 304-293-2941, x 2443; or email: [email protected].

Thank you for sharing your opinions with us.

Sincerely,

Signature

Kevin Brandt, Superintendent

C&O Canal National Historic Park