Expedited Form

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Social Science Program
Expedited Approval for NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys
1.

2.

Project Titles ⎢ Visitor Services Project (VSP) studies for 2009:
Submission Date:
Fort Larned (FOLS) National Historic Site (NHS) Visitor Study
Homestead National Monument of America (HOME) Visitor Study
Minuteman Missile (MIMI) NHS Visitor Study
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (PEVI) Visitor Study
Women’s Rights (WORI) National Historical Park (NHP) Visitor Study
Yosemite (YOSE) National Park (NP) Visitor Study
James A. Garfield (JAGA) NHS Visitor Study
Boston (BOST) NHP Visitor Study
Klondike Gold Rush (KLSE) NHP Seattle Visitor Study
Indiana Dunes (INDU) National Lakeshore Visitor Study
Acadia (ACAD) NP Visitor Study
Laurance S. Rockefeller (LSR) Preserve Visitor Study
Martin Van Buren (MAVA) NHS Visitor Study
Abstract:

April 16, 2009

The above 13 parks need to conduct visitor studies to gather data on visitors, either for the first time
in the park’s history, or to update prior information, as well as to gather visitor opinions about the
park services and facilities. The data will be used to prepare or update planning documents such as
the parks’ General Management Plan, Resource Management Plan, Wilderness Plan, Long-Range
Interpretive Plan, and other planning efforts, as well as in decisions about park operations. In
addition to being used by park managers, the information is shared with park partners and gateway
communities to assist in mutual planning efforts.
The mail-back questionnaires used in these visitor studies are designed to systematically collect data
from summer visitors, including individual characteristics, trip/visit characteristics, individual
activities, individual evaluation of park services/facilities, individual perceptions of park experiences,
and individual opinions on park management. Using a random start each sampling day, park visitors
will be sampled systematically (i.e., every nth pedestrian group or vehicle after the random start) to
participate in the survey as they enter/visit each park. Visitor groups or vehicles will be intercepted at
selected locations in parks according to a designated sampling protocol.

3.

Principal Investigator Contact Information
First Name:
Title:
Affiliation:

Street Address:
City:

4.

Margaret

Last Name:

Littlejohn

NPS Visitor Services Project (VSP) Director
NPS Visitor Services Project, PSU,
College of Natural Resources,
University of Idaho
6th & Line Streets, Room 17B
Moscow

Phone:

208-885-7863

Email:

[email protected]

State:
Fax:

Park or Program Liaison Contact Information
1

ID
208-885-4261

Zip code:

83844-1139

First Name:

See attached list

Last Name:

Title:
Park:
Park
Office/Division:
Street Address:
City:

State:

Phone:

Fax:

Zip code:

Email:

2

Project Information
5.

Park Where
Research is to be
Conducted:

6.

Survey Dates:

7.

Type of Information Collection Instrument (Check ALL that Apply)

8.

‰

Mail-Back
Questionnaire

‰

Other
(explain)

Survey
Justification:
(Use as much
space as needed;
if necessary
include
additional
explanation on a
separate page.)

See list in Box 1 on this form

See attached list

‰

On-Site
Questionnaire

(mm/dd/yyyy)

‰

to

Face-to-Face
Interview

(mm/dd/yyyy)

‰

Telephone
Survey

‰

Focus Groups

Legal Justification: The National Park Service Act of 1916, 38 Stat 535, 16 USC 1, et seq., requires
that the National Park Service (NPS) preserve the national parks for the use and enjoyment of
present and future generations. At the field level, this means resource preservation, public
education, facility maintenance and operation, and physical developments that are necessary for
public use, health, and safety. Allocation of funding is to be roughly in proportion to the
seasonally adjusted volume of use (P. L. 88-578, Sect. 6) and in consideration of visitor
characteristics and activities for determining carrying capacity (92 Stat. 3467; P. L. 95-625, Sect.
604 11/10/78). Other federal rules (National Environmental Policy Act, 1969 and NPS
guidelines) require visitor use data in impact assessment of development on users and resources as
part of each park’s General Management Plan.
Policy Justification: Social science research in support of park planning and management is
mandated in the NPS Management Policies 2006 (Section 8.11.1, “Social Science Studies”). The NPS
pursues a policy that facilitates social science studies in support of the NPS mission to protect
resources and enhance the enjoyment of present and future generations. NPS policy mandates that
social science research will be used to provide an understanding of park visitors, the non-visiting
public, gateway communities and regions, and human interactions with park resources. Such
studies are needed to provide a scientific basis for park planning, development, operations,
management, education, and interpretive activities.
Managerial Justification: Study results will be used as follows, depending upon the specific park. n:
• For planning documents (e.g. General Management Plan, Comprehensive Interpretive Plan,
Wilderness Plan, Resource Management Plan, Backcountry Management Plan).
• To design interpretive and educational programs to match visitor interests and needs. Interpretive
media is outdated in many parks, and waysides need to be replaced and added in many areas.
• For designing future facilities or renovating existing facilities.
• To determine whether concession services are meeting visitor needs.
• For local businesses and governments to use to determine how visitors are contributing
economically to the area.
The mail-back questionnaires used in these visitor studies are designed to systematically collect
data from visitors, including individual characteristics, trip/visit characteristics, individual activities,
individual evaluation of park services/facilities, individual perceptions of their park experiences,
and individual opinions on park management. Park visitors will be randomly selected to participate
in the studies as they visit selected park locations during each park’s 7-to 10-day sampling period.

9.

Survey
Methodology:
(Use as much
space as needed;
if necessary
include
additional
explanation on a

(a) Respondent universe:
The respondent universe will be all recreational visitors, age 16 and older, who visit the parks
during the study period. A systematic sample of visitors will be contacted by VSP-trained
interviewers intercepting groups at pre-determined locations in the parks.
(b) Sampling plan/procedures:
The survey design and sampling plan for each of these visitor studies are based upon Dillman's
Tailored Design Method (TDM). The TDM has been shown to increase response rates, improve
3

separate page.)

accuracy, and reduce cost and burden hours. The methodology and survey instrument design has
been used in 198 previous surveys conducted by the VSP. The majority of questions has been used
in other VSP questionnaires or is very similar to other questions. A systematic sampling procedure,
based on the park’s visitation statistics from the previous year, will require intercepting every nth
visitor to participate in the study. Each interviewer will be trained in the interview procedure and
will use a tally counter to count visitors, if needed. A supervisor will be on-site during the survey to
ensure that interview procedures are followed.
(c) Instrument administration:
The initial contact with visitors to explain the study and determine if visitors are interested in
participating (see attached script) takes approximately 1 minute. The number of visitor groups who
refuse are recorded and used in calculating response rates. Visitors who voluntarily agree to
participate in the study are verbally given a short front-end interview (1 additional minute) to
collect information used in a non-response bias check. They also are asked to record their name,
address, and phone number/email address. If a group agrees to participate, the researcher will give
the survey to the individual within the group who has the next birthday. Participants will be given a
stamped, addressed questionnaire to complete and return.
All participants will be mailed a thank you/reminder post card 11 working days after the
completion of the survey. If the thank you/reminder post card proves unsuccessful, a reminder
letter with a stamped, addressed replacement questionnaire will be sent 21 working days after the
completion of the survey. A second reminder letter will be mailed after 35 working days with a
stamped, addressed questionnaire.
(d) Expected response rate/confidence levels:
The number of questionnaires to be distributed is based on each park’s visitation data and the
number of days of surveying. See the attached spreadsheet showing the expected response rates
and confidence intervals for each park. Expected response rates are based on actual response rates
from previous VSP surveys conducted at similar parks.
Estimates from the surveys will be accurate at the 95% confidence level for questions with
dichotomous response scales. The confidence intervals will be somewhat larger for questions with
more than two response categories.
(e) Strategies for dealing with potential non-response bias:
During the front-end interview, questions are asked of the respondents to check for non-response
bias. Answers are recorded on a log which shows the disposition of every survey contact. Results of
the non-response bias check are described in the report and the implications for park planning and
management are discussed.
(f) Description of any pre-testing and peer review of the methods and/or instrument
(recommended):
The questionnaire format and many of the questions have been used in over 198 previous VSP
survey instruments. Questionnaires are peer reviewed by NPS managers and university professors.
Most of the questions are included in the “pool of known questions” previously reviewed and
approved by OMB.

10.

See
Total Number of
Initial Contacts attached
list
Accept Instrument |
Expected Respondents:

11. Estimated Time 1
(mins.) to Complete
Initial Contact |
(refusals only)
Accept Instrument
Return Instrument:

4

1

20

12. Total See
Burden attached
Hours: list

13.

Reporting Plan:

The results of these information collections will be presented in internal agency reports for park
managers and NPS managers at the regional and national level. The reports will be archived with
the NPS Social Science Program for inclusion in the Social Science Studies Collection. They will
also be posted on the Park Studies Unit VSP website at: http:/psu.uidaho.edu/vsp.reports.htm.
Hard copies will be available upon request. The economic data will be used to produce special
reports for the NPS covering overall use estimates and local economic impacts.

5

VSP
CONTACTS
(2009)
First name Last name

Title

Park

Street Address

City

State Zip

Kevin

McMurry

Superintendent

Fort Larned NHS

1767 KS Highway

Larned

KS

Tina

Miller

Education Coordinator

Homestead National
Monument of America

8523 West State Hwy. 4

Beatrice

Pam

Griswold

Chief of Interpretation

Minuteman Missile NHS

21280 SD Hwy 240

Sue

Judis

Chief of Interpretation

Perry's Victory &
Internat'l Peace
Memorial

Lee

Werst

Chief of Interpretation

Women's Rights NHP

Bret

Meldrum

Sherda

Fax

Email

67550 620-285-6911

620-285-3571

[email protected]

NE

68310 402-223-3514

402-228-4231 [email protected]

Philip

SD

57567 (605) 433-5552

605-433-5558

P.O. Box 549/
93 Delaware Ave.

Put-in-Bay

OH

43456 419-285-2184,
x223

419-285-2516 [email protected]

136 Fall Street

Seneca Falls

NY

13148 315-568-5302

315-568-2141

Branch Chief, Visitor
Yosemite NP
Use and Social Sciences

Box 577/ Administration
Bldg

Yosemite

CA

95389 209-379-1216

209-379-1131

Williams

Superintendent

James A. Garfield NHS

8095 Mentor Avenue

Mentor

OH

44060 440-974-2993

440-974-2045

Bill

Foley

Chief of Interpretation

Boston NHP

Charlestown Navy Yard

Charlestown

MA

02129 617-242-5629

617-242-1048

Karen

Beppler-Dorn Superintendent

Klondike Gold Rush NHP- 319 2nd Ave, South
Seattle

Seattle

WA

98104 206-220-4232

Janet

Ambrose

Chief of Interpretation

Indiana Dunes NL

1100 N Mineral Springs Rd

Porter

IN

46304 219-395-1622

Charlie

Jacobi

Resource
Specialist/Visitor Use

Acadia NP

PO Box 177/
Rt. 233 McFarland Hill

Bar Harbor

ME

04609 207-288-8727

207-288-8709

Jim

McKay

Chief Ranger

Martin Van Buren NHS

1013 Old Post Road

Kinderhook

NY

12106 518-758-9689

518-758-6986

Susanne

McDonald

Site Manager

Laurance S. Rockefeller
Preserve

c/o Grand Teton NP
P.O. Drawer 170

Moose

WY

83012 307-739-3656

307-739-3440 [email protected]

6

Phone

VSP SAMPLING METHODS
(2009)
Park
Fort Larned NHS

Survey dates Survey dates
From:
To:
Intercept method Intercept location
Visitor center
5/25/2009
6/13/2009 people on foot

Homestead National Monument of
America

5/25/2009

6/13/2009 people on foot

Visitor center

Minuteman Missile NHS

5/25/2009

6/13/2009 people on foot

Visitor center and Delta 9 site

Perry's Victory & International
Peace Memorial

6/24/2009

6/30/2009
people on foot

Visitior center

Women's Rights NHP

7/1/2009

7/10/2009 people on foot

Visitor center

Klondike Gold Rush NHP-Seattle

7/5/2009

7/25/2009 people on foot

Visitor center

Yosemite NP

7/8/2009

7/14/2009 vehicle intercept

4 entrance stations (Arch Rock, Big Oak Flat, Wawona, Tioga Pass)

James A. Garfield NHS

7/24/2009

8/1/2009 people on foot

Visitor center

7/26/2009

8/1/2009 people on foot

Bunker Hilll Memorial, visitor center, sites along Freedom Trail (Old State House,
Old South Meeting House, Old North Church, Paul Revere statue)

8/1/2009

8/7/2009 people on foot

Visitor center, Chellburg farm, Porter Beach, Mt Baldy parking area, Dunewood
campground

8/2/2009

8/8/2009 people on foot

Trailheads (Carriage and East), East Side frontcountry, Seawall area, Echo Lake
Beach, Wildwood Stable, Baker/Islesford naturalist cruise

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
(in Grand Teton NP)

8/9/2009

8/20/2009 people on foot

Vistior center/parking lot

Martin Van Buren NHS

8/9/2009

8/22/2009 people on foot

Visitor center

Boston NHP

Indiana Dunes NL

Acadia NP

7

VSP BURDEN
HOURS (2009)

Park
Fort Larned NHS

Homestead National
Monument of
America

Expected Margin
response of error
rate
+/- % Comparable studies

78%

374

340

292

374

340

5,840

6,554

109

78%

Golden Spike NHS 2006-78%, Fort
Union TP NHS 2007-76%, Agate Fossil
5.3 Beds NM 2007-80%

374

340

292

374

340

5,840

6,554

109

374

340

292

374

340

5,840

6,554

109

78%

Golden Spike NHS 2006-78%, Fort
Union TP NHS 2007-76%, Agate Fossil
5.3 Beds NM 2007-80%
Golden Spike NHS 2006-78%, Fort
Union TP NHS 2007-76%, Agate Fossil
4.3 Beds NM 2007-80%

554

504

432

554

504

8,640

9,698

162

70%

Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP 200475%, John F. Kennedy NHS 2006-67%,
Man NHP 2007-68%
5.3 Minute
y
g

374

340

262

374

340

5,240

5,954

99

66%

75%, John F. Kennedy NHS 2006-67%,
Minute Man NHP 2007-68%,
5.3 Independence NHP 2007-53%

374

340

247

374

340

4,940

5,654

94

67%

Yosemite NP 2005–59%, Capitol Reef
NP 2008-78%, Grand Teton NP 20082.8 71%, Yosemite NP 2008-60%

1,319

1,200

884

1,319

1,200

17,680

20,199

337

74%

Golden Spike NHS 2006-78%, John Muir
NHS 2007-68%, Carl Sandburg Home
5.3 NHS 2008-77%

374

340

277

374

340

5,540

6,254

104

63%

John F. Kennedy NHS 2006-67%,
Minute Man NHP 2007-68%,
3.1 Independence NHP 2007-53%

1,219

1,000

768

1,219

1,000

15,360

17,579

293

69%

Pictured Rocks NL 2001-82%, Apostle
Islands NL 2004-75% Glen Canyon NRA
3.1 2007-64%, Fire Island NS 2008-56%

1,219

1,000

841

1,219

1,000

16,820

19,039

317

68%

Yellowstone NP 2006-69%, Grand Teton
NP 2008-71%, Yosemite NP 2008-60%,
2.9 Everglades NP 2008-72%

1,209

1,100

822

1,209

1,100

16,440

18,749

312

71%

Yellowstone NP 2006-69%, Zion NP
2006–65%, Grand Teton NP 2008-71%,
4.8 Capitol Reef NP-78%

491

420

349

491

420

6,980

7,891

132

74%

Golden Spike NHS 2006-78%, John Muir
NHS 2007-68%, Carl Sandburg Home
5.3 NHS 2008-77%

374

340

277

374

340

5,540

6,254

104

8,629

7,604

6,035

78%

Klondike Gold Rush
NHP-Seattle
Yosemite NP

James A. Garfield
NHS
Boston NHP

Indiana Dunes NL

Acadia NP

Laurance S.
Rockefeller Preserve
(in Grand Teton NP)

Est. time
Est. time to
Est. time
Total
# expected initial contact-- accept survey--1 complete
Total
burden
respondents 1 min
min
survey--20 min minutes hours

# accept
survey

Golden Spike NHS 2006-78%, Fort
Union TP NHS 2007-76%, Agate Fossil
5.3 Beds NM 2007-80%

Minuteman Missile
NHS
Perry's Victory &
International Peace
Memorial
Women's Rights NHP

# initial
contacts

Martin Van Buren
NHS

8

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