National Mall and Memorial Parks Visitor Study

Programmatic Approval for National Park Service-Sponsored Public Surveys

1024-0224_08-017_Survey_Mailings

National Mall and Memorial Parks Visitor Study

OMB: 1024-0224

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 1024-0224 can be found here:

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National Mall Study: Script for Initial Contact / Questions for Non-response Bias

Hi, the National Park Service is conducting a visitor survey at the National Mall to learn about
your experiences and opinions. This is the mailback questionnaire (show questionnaire with
stamp and address), so it can be completed at your convenience. It takes about 20 minutes to fill
out, then you can put it in any US mailbox and it will get back to us. Would you like to
participate?
IF NO: Thank you and enjoy your visit.
IF YES: Thank you. I have a few quick questions.
Who in your group (at least 18 years old) has the next birthday? (Select individual). I have a few
quick questions for you.
1.

On this visit, were you traveling with any of the following larger groups? [1.GR6]
a) Commercial guided tour

Yes

b) Educational group (school, etc.)

Yes

c) Heritage/cultural club group

Yes

d) Other organized group

Yes

(church, business, etc.)

Your personal group is defined as your companions during this visit to the National
Mall, such as spouse, family, friends, etc., for whom you were financially
responsible, including yourself.

2. On this visit, what kind of personal group (not guided tour/educational/organized
group) are you with? Please check (√) one. [1.GR5]
Alone

Family

Friends

Family and friends

Other (Please specify:

)

3. a) How many adults, 18 years or older, are in your personal group, including
yourself?
Number of adults
b) How many children, 17 years or younger, are in your personal group?
Number of children
c) How old is the person who will complete the questionnaire?
Years
So we can thank you and remind you to mail back the questionnaire, please print your name, and
address on this sheet. If you prefer that we follow up with e-mail, please provide your e-mail
address as well.
Name:
Address:
Email:

Training:
Each interviewer will receive a minimum of one hour of training on how to conduct the
interviews. The training will cover all aspects of the methodology, including site placement,
using a sampling interval, how to approach visitors, conducting the interviews, avoiding
sampling bias, how to handle interviewing situations, and how to maximize the comfort and
safety of visitors and interviewers. Quality control will be maintained by having one a faculty
representative on-site for all days of data collection who will assist the interviewers in getting set
up, will monitor sampling and who will check paperwork and debrief the research team at the
end of each data collection day.

First postcard reminder, to be sent 10 days after accepting
questionnaire
Summer, 2008

Summer, 2008
Dear Visitor,

Dear Visitor,

Hello again! Recently, you visited the National Mall & Memorial Parks and agreed
to participate in a National Park Service visitor study. Your feedback will help park
personnel to plan for continuous improvement.

If you have already completed and returned the questionnaire to us, please accept our
sincere thanks. If not, please do so today. Only a select number of visitors are
participating in the study, so your response is essential to the success of the project.

If your questionnaire was misplaced, please call me at (703) 993-4279 or email me at
[email protected] and we will quickly get you another one. Thanks for your part
in this effort to ultimately better serve all visitors to the National Mall & Memorial
Parks.

If your questionnaire was misplaced, please call me at (703) 993-4279 or email me
at [email protected] and we will quickly get you another one. Thanks for your
part in this effort to ultimately better serve all visitors to the National Mall &
Memorial Parks.

Maggie Daniels, Ph.D.
Project Director
School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, George Mason University

Summer, 2008

Dear Visitor,

If your questionnaire was misplaced, please call me at (703) 993-4279 or email me
at [email protected] and we will quickly get you another one. Thanks for your
part in this effort to ultimately better serve all visitors to the National Mall &
Memorial Parks.

Maggie Daniels, Ph.D.
Project Director
School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, George Mason University

(Letter to be sent with replacement questionnaire, mailed to non-respondents after 21 days)
United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
National Mall & Memorial Parks
900 Ohio Dr. S.W.
Washington DC 20024-2000
IN REPLY REFER TO:

Summer, 2008

Dear Visitor:
The National Park Service would like to thank you for participating in
this National Mall & Memorial Parks visitor study. As of today, we have
not received your questionnaire. Because only a select number of
visitors were contacted, each visitor's comments are very important.
If you have already returned your questionnaire, thank you. If not,
please complete it and mail it today. Unless your questionnaire was
mailed in the last few days, we would appreciate you completing
another one. We are enclosing a replacement questionnaire in case
the original was misplaced.
When you have completed the questionnaire, please seal it with the
stickers provided on the last page and drop it in any U.S. mailbox.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Maggie Daniels, National
Mall & Memorial Parks Visitor Services Project, George Mason
University, MS 4E5, Manassas, VA, 20110, Phone: 703-993-4279,
email: [email protected].
We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

Margaret O’Dell
Superintendent

Second postcard reminder, to be sent to non-respondents after 35
days
Summer, 2008
Dear Visitor,

Dear Visitor,

I am writing about the visitor study for the National Mall & Memorial Parks, in
which you agreed to participate. As of today we have not received your completed
questionnaire.

The waiting period for incoming questionnaires is almost over, and park staff
members are anxiously awaiting your response. If you have already completed and
returned the questionnaire to us, please accept our sincere thanks. If not, I urge you
to complete and return it by September 15.

If your questionnaire was misplaced, please call me at (703) 993-4279 or email me at
[email protected] and we will quickly get you another one. Your contribution to
the success of this study is greatly appreciated.

If your questionnaire was misplaced, please call me at (703) 993-4279 or email me
at [email protected] and we will quickly get you another one. Your contribution
to the success of this study is greatly appreciated.

Maggie Daniels, Ph.D.
Project Director
School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, George Mason University

Summer, 2008

Dear Visitor,

I am writing about the visitor study for the National Mall & Memorial Parks, in
which you agreed to participate. As of today we have not received your completed
questionnaire.

If your questionnaire was misplaced, please call, please call me at (703) 993-4279 or
email me at [email protected] and we will quickly get you another one. Your
contribution to the success of this study is greatly appreciated.

If your questionnaire was misplaced, please call me at (703) 993-4279 or email me
at [email protected] and we will quickly get you another one. Your contribution
to the success of this study is greatly appreciated.

Maggie Daniels, Ph.D.
Project Director
School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, George Mason University

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
National Mall & Memorial Parks

National Mall & Memorial Parks
Visitor Study

National Mall and Memorial Parks Visitor Study
OMB Approval #:
Expiration Date:
United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
National Mall & Memorial Parks
900 Ohio Dr. S.W.
Washington DC 20024-2000

IN REPLY REFER TO:

Summer, 2008
Dear Visitor:
The National Park Service would like to thank you for participating in
this important study. We want to learn about the opinions and
behaviors of visitors to National Mall & Memorial Parks. This
information will help us improve our park management and better serve
you, our visitor.
This questionnaire will be given to only a select number of visitors, so
your participation is very important! It should only take about 20
minutes to complete.
When your visit is over, please complete the questionnaire. Seal it with
the stickers provided on the last page and drop it in any U.S. mailbox.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Maggie Daniels, National
Mall & Memorial Parks Visitor Services Project, George Mason
University, MS 4E5, Manassas, VA, 20110, Phone: 703-993-4279,
email: [email protected].
We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

Margaret O’Dell
Superintendent

National Mall & Memorial Parks Visitor Study

DIRECTIONS
1) Please have the selected individual complete this questionnaire
2) Answer the questions carefully since each question is different
Thank you!

PRIVACY ACT and PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT statement:
16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be
used by park managers to better serve the public. Response to this request is
voluntary. No action may be taken against you for refusing to supply the
information requested. Your name is requested for follow-up mailing purposes
only. When analysis of the questionnaire is completed, all name and address files
will be destroyed. Thus the permanent data will be anonymous. Please do not put
your name or that of any member of your group on the questionnaire. An agency
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Burden estimate statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to
average 20 minutes per response. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate
or any other aspect of this form to Dr. Maggie Daniels, National Mall & Memorial
Parks Visitor Services Project, School of Recreation, Health and Tourism, George
Mason University, MS 4E5, Manassas, Virginia, 20110; email:
[email protected].

National Mall and Memorial Parks Visitor Study

Your Visit To National Mall & Memorial Parks
Definition: The National Mall & Memorial Parks, a unit of the National Park System, includes
National Mall icons such as the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson
memorials, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Constitution Gardens, the Korean War
Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. In
addition, the park includes significant natural and cultural resources, and downtown visitor
destinations such as Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, the African American Civil War
Memorial, and Pennsylvania Avenue from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.
NOTE: Museums on or near the National Mall are operated by the Smithsonian Institution,
National Gallery of Art, National Archives, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and
are separate entities from the National Mall.
1.

a) Prior to this visit, how did you and your group obtain information about
Washington D.C. and the National Mall? Please check (√) all that apply in the
left column. [2.TPLAN11]
b) On future trips to Washington DC and the National Mall, what sources would
you prefer to use to obtain information in planning your visit? Please check (√)
all that apply in the right column.

a) For this visit? (√)_____
Prior to

b) On future visits? (√)

Sources of information

this visit

On future
visits

Obtained no planning information
Previous visits
Friends/relatives/word of mouth
Travel guides/tour books/tour packages
Telephone/written/email inquiry to the park
Newspaper/magazine articles
National Mall website: www.nps.gov/nama/
Other websites
School class/program
Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation
Other sources: (specify) _______________________

National Mall & Memorial Parks Visitor Study

c) From the sources you used for this visit, did you receive the type of
information that you needed? [2.TPLAN12]
No
YesÎ Go on to Question 2
Ð
d) If NO, what was the information that you needed that was not available?
Please be specific. [2.TPLAN13]

2. How did this visit to the National Mall fit into your travel plans? Please check (√)
one. [2.TPLAN4]
The National Mall was the primary planned destination
The National Mall was one of the several planned destinations
The National Mall was not a planned destination
3.

What was your primary reason for visiting Washington DC? Please select one
only.
Resident of local area (DC metropolitan area) Î Go on to Question 4
Visit the National Mall (not including museums)
Visit museums (e.g., Smithsonian, National Gallery, etc.) on the National Mall
Visit federal sites (e.g., The White House, U. S. Capitol, National Archives)
Visit other attractions in the area
Visit friends/relatives in the area
Business (e.g., meeting, convention)
Other (Please specify:

Q. 3 : Topic area 2 —
Trip/Visit Characteristics

)

4. During this visit, how long (days and overnight stays) did you stay in the Washington DC
metropolitan area (within a 1-hour drive to Washington DC)? [3.TRIPC11]
Number of hours, if less than 24 hours
OR
Number of days, if 24 hours or more

Please go on to the next page Î

National Mall and Memorial Parks Visitor Study

5. a) During this visit to the National Mall, were you on a fixed schedule (such as
schedules set up by tour managers, business meeting, same-day prepaid
train/airline ticket, etc.)? [3.TRIPC32]
No

Yes Î Go on to Question 6

Ð
b) If NO, compared to with to what you had originally planned, how much time
did you spend visiting the National Mall? Please check (√) one. [3.TRIPC33]
Didn’t have a planned amount of time Î Go on to Question 6
Spent about the time planned Î Go on to Question 6
Spent a longer time than planned

___ Spent less time than planned
Ð
Ð
c) If the amount of time you spent visiting the National Mall was different than
what you had planned (longer or shorter), what were the reasons for changing
your plans? Please check (√) all that apply. [3.TRIPC34]
Fewer things to do/see than expected
More things to do/see than expected
Longer stays at memorials and monuments than expected
Shorter stays at memorials and monuments than expected
Other reason (Please specify:
)
6. a) What form(s) of transportation did you use to travel between your overnight
accommodations/home and the National Mall? Please check (√) all that apply.
[3.TRANS1]
Private vehicle (car, motorcycle, etc.)
Rental vehicle

Tour motorcoach/bus

Bicycle

Taxi/limousine

School bus

On foot

_____ Sightseeing bus

Public transportation (Metro, Bus, etc.)

Other (Please specify:

)

b) Were the signs directing you to and around Washington DC adequate?
Please check (√) one response for each. [6.EVALSERV17]
Highway signs to DC

Yes

Not applicable

Pedestrian signs in DC

Yes

Not applicable

Street signs in DC

Yes

Not applicable

National Mall & Memorial Parks Visitor Study

c) If your answered NO to any of the above, please explain the problem.
[6.EVALSERV18]

7 a) On this visit to the National Mall, what activities did you participate in? Please
check (√) all that apply. [3.ACT22]
Visit park sites (monuments and memorials)
Visit museum sites (e.g., Smithsonian museums, National Gallery of Art,
Holocaust Museum, Botanical Gardens)
Exercise or athletics
Charter bus or sightseeing tour
Learn/research history
Ranger talks/walks
Entertainment/special events
Relaxing
Shopping
Eating and drinking at restaurants/bars
Other (Please specify:

)

b) Which one of the above activities was the most important activity to your visit?
Please list only one or check none. [3.ACT24 (second part)]
OR
None

Please go on to the next page Î

National Mall and Memorial Parks Visitor Study

8. a) For this trip, please review the list below and circle the number next to the
destinations you visited during your entire stay in the Washington, DC area. You can use the
map provided to help you locate the sites. [3.ITIN3]
01 – African American Civil War Memorial
02 – Anacostia Neighborhood Museum
03 – Arlington National Cemetery
04 – Bureau of Engraving and Printing
05 – C&O Canal
06 – Capital Children’s Museum
07 – Corcoran Gallery
08 - Decatur House
09 – Downtown Restaurants
10 – Downtown Shops
11 – F.B.I. Building
12 – Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
13 – Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site
14 – Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
15 – Freer Gallery/Arthur Sackler Gallery/National Museum
of African Art
16 - George Washington Memorial Parkway / Great Falls
17 – Georgetown
18 – Hirschhorn Museum/Sculpture Garden
19 – International Spy Museum
20 – Iwo Jima /U.S.M.C. War Memorial
21 – Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
22 – Korean War Veterans Memorial
23 – Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
24 – Lincoln Memorial
25 – Mount Vernon
26 – National Air & Space Museum
27 – National Building Museum

28 – National Gallery of Art
29 – National Museum of American History
30 – National Museum of the American Indian
31 – National Museum of Crime and Punishment
32 – National Museum of Natural History (temporarily closed)
33 – National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum
34 – National Postal Museum
35 – National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
36 – National Zoological Park
37 – Newseum
38 – Old Town Alexandria
38 – Renwick Gallery
40 – Rock Creek Park
41 – Smithsonian Castle
42 – Thomas Jefferson Memorial
43 – U.S. Capitol
44 – U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
45 – U.S. Library of Congress
46 – U.S. National Archives
47 – U.S. Navy Memorial
48 – U.S. Supreme Court
49 – Union Station
50 – Vietnam Veterans Memorial
51 – Washington Monument
52 – Washington National Cathedral
53 – The White House
54 – World War II Memorial

99 – Other: Please write name of destination(s) below:

Q. 8b & 8c: Topic area 6 — Individual
Perceptions of their Park Experiences
b) As you were planning your visit, which one site was the primary destination
that you most wanted to see on the National Mall?

c) As you think back on your visit, which one site was the most memorable to
your visit to the National Mall?

National Mall & Memorial Parks Visitor Study
9.

Q. 9a & 9b: Topic area 1 —
Individual Characteristics

a) Do you reside in Washington DC?
Yes Î Go on to Question 9c

b) Do you commute to Washington DC for work?
Yes

c) If YES to either of the above, what, if anything, would encourage you to visit the
National Mall more frequently?
Q. 9c: Topic area 6 — Individual
Perceptions of their Park Experiences
10. On this visit, were you and your personal group with the following type of
groups? [1.GR6]
a) Commercial guided tour

Yes

b) Educational group (school, etc.)

Yes

c) Heritage/cultural club group

Yes

d) Other organized group
(church, business, etc.)

Yes

11. a) Based on your visit, would you consider visiting the National Mall again in the
future? [1.FVIS1]
Yes, likely

No, unlikely

Not sure

b) Would you recommend visiting the National Mall to your friends/relatives?
[6.EVALSERV26]
Yes, likely

No, unlikely

Not sure

Ð
c) If YES, which one site would you be most likely to recommend to others
planning a visit to the National Mall?
Q. 11c: Topic area 7 — Individual
Opinions on Park Management

Please go on to the next page Î

10
12.

National Mall and Memorial Parks Visitor Study
On a future visit to the National Mall, what services or activities would you like
to have available at the park? Please check (√) all that apply. [3.FVIS7]
Self-guided audio tours (with map/publications, iPods, cell phones, etc.)
Interactive exhibits (displays on computers/PDAs, etc.)
Recreation rentals (e.g., boats)

Children’s programs

Indoor exhibits

Movies/films

Outdoor exhibits

Ranger talks/programs

Historian/expert lectures/talks

Special events

Roving rangers available to answer questions
Living history programs and dramatic presentations (people in costume)
Other (Please specify:

)

For items 13-18 of this questionnaire, your personal group is defined as your
companions during this visit to the National Mall, such as spouse, family, friends,
etc., for whom you were financially responsible, including yourself.
13. On this visit, what kind of personal group (not guided tour / educational /
organized group) were you with? Please check (√) one. [1.GR5]
Alone

Family

Friends

Family and friends

Other (Please specify:

)

14. a) For this visit to the National Mall, how many people were in your personal
group, including yourself? [1.GR3]
Number of people
b) For this visit to the National Mall, how many people in your personal group,
including yourself, are residents of Washington DC?
Number of Washington DC residents
Q14b: Topic area 1 — Individual
Characteristics

National Mall & Memorial Parks Visitor Study

15. For those in your personal group for whom you were financially responsible,
including yourself, please estimate all expenditures that were made for this trip
to for the items listed below. Please write “0” if no money was spent in a
particular category. [3.TRIPC26]
a) Please estimate your personal group’s total expenditures by category while at
the National Mall and in Washington DC.
b) Please estimate your personal group’s total expenditures by category outside
of the National Mall and DC (within 1-hour drive)
a) National Mall
and Washington
DC

b) Outside Washington
DC, (within 1-hour drive)

Lodging (hotels, camping, B&B, etc.)

$_________

Restaurants and bars

$_________

Food stands / refreshment
stands

$_________

Gas and oil (auto, RV, boat, etc.)

$_________

Public transportation (subway,
bus, taxi)

$_________

Other transportation fees (rental
cars, auto repairs, but NOT airfare)

$_________

Admissions, recreation and
entertainment fees (e.g., tour guide

$_________

File Type	application/pdf
File Modified	2008-07-09
File Created	2008-07-09