Three Visitor Services Project surveys

Social Science Program
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Visitor Services Project

Death Valley National Park
Wilderness/Backcountry Users
Visitor Study

2

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study
OMB Approval 1024- (NPS#)
Expiration date:
United States Department of the Interior

IN REPLY REFER TO:

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Death Valley National Park
P.O. Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328

November, 2009
Dear Visitor:
Thank you for participating in this important study. Our goal is to
learn about the expectations, opinions, and interests of
backcountry/wilderness visitors to Death Valley National Park. This
information will assist us in our efforts to prepare a Wilderness and
Backcountry Stewardship Plan so we can better manage this park
and to serve you, our visitor.
This questionnaire is only being given to a select number of
visitors, so your participation is very important! It should only take
about 20 minutes to complete after your visit.
When your visit is over, please complete this 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 Margaret Littlejohn, NPS
VSP Director, Park Studies Unit, College of Natural Resources,
P.O. Box 441139, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 838441139, phone: 208-885-7863, email: [email protected].
We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

Sarah Craighead
Superintendent

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study

DIRECTIONS
At the end of your visit:
1) Please have the selected individual complete this questionnaire.
2) Answer the questions carefully since each question is different.
3) For questions that use circles (O), please mark your answer by
filling in the circle with black or blue ink, or a #2 pencil.

4) Seal it with the stickers provided.
5) Drop it in a U.S. mailbox.
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 personal 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 Margaret Littlejohn, NPS Visitor
Services Project, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, P.O. Box
441139, Moscow, ID, 83844-1139; email: [email protected].

3

4

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study

Your Visit To Death Valley National Park
NOTE: In this questionnaire, your personal group is defined as anyone that you are visiting
the park with, such as spouse, family, friends, etc. This does not include the larger
group that you might be traveling with, such as school, church, scouts, or tour group.

1.

a) Prior to your visit, how did you and your personal group obtain information about
Death Valley National Park (NP)? Please mark ( ) all that apply in column a. [2.
VARIATION TPLAN11]

•

b) After you arrived at Death Valley NP, which sources did you and your personal
group use to obtain information about the park? Please mark ( ) all that apply in
column b.

•

a) Prior to this visit

b) After arrival at Death Valley NP

O

Did not obtain information prior to visit Î Go to part b of this question

O

Previous visits

O

Friends/relatives/word of mouth

O

O

Newspaper/magazine articles

O

O

Inquiry to park via phone, mail, or email

O

Television/radio programs/videos

O

O

Local businesses (hotels, motels, restaurants, etc.)

O

O

Chamber of commerce/visitor’s bureau/state welcome center

O

Hiking trails or SUV/Jeep road books

O

O

Maps/brochures/park newspaper

O

O

Death Valley NP website: www.nps.gov/deva

O

O

Other websites

O

O

School class/program

O

O

Park rangers

O

O

Other (Please specify below)

O

N/A

Prior to

N/A

N/A

After arrival

c) From the sources you used prior to this visit, did you and your personal group
receive the type of information about the park that you needed? [2. TPLAN12]

O

No

O

Yes Î Go to Question 2

5

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study
d) If NO, what type of park information did you and your personal group need that
was not available? Please be specific. [2. TPLAN13]
2.

a) Prior to this visit, were you and your personal group aware that most of the
undeveloped areas of Death Valley NP are protected as wilderness? [1.
VARIATION KNOW10]

O

Yes

O

No

b) Visitors accessing the backcountry roads or wilderness are expected to follow
“Leave No Trace” principles. Prior to your visit, were you and your personal
group aware of “Leave No Trace” principles? [1. VARIATION LNT3]

O

Yes

O

No

c) On this trip, did you and your personal group follow “Leave No Trace” principles
while you were on the backcountry roads or in the wilderness of Death Valley
NP? [TOPIC AREA 2 TRIP/VISIT CHARACTERISTICS]

O
3.

Yes

O

O

No

Not sure

a) On this visit, did you or your personal group backpack overnight in the wilderness
of Death Valley NP? [3. TBACK1]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to part e of this question

b) If YES, did you get a voluntary backcountry camping permit? [TOPIC AREA 2
TRIP/VISIT CHARACTERISTICS]

O
c)

O

Yes

If YES, where did you obtain the permit?

No

d) If NO, why didn’t you get a permit?

e) Would you and your personal group support a free mandatory permit system to
backpack overnight in the wilderness of Death Valley NP? [TOPIC AREA 7
INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS ON PARK MANAGEMENT]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to part g of this question

f) If YES, how would you and your personal group prefer to obtain a permit?
[TOPIC AREA 7 INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS ON PARK MANAGEMENT]

O

Visitor center

O

O

Other (Please specify)

Trailhead

O

Online

6
Death Valley National Park Visitor Study
g) If you visit in the future, would you and your personal group be willing to pay for an
overnight wilderness permit (e.g., $10/permit/group for up to 14 people)? [6.
VARIATION EVALFEE1]

O
4.

O

Yes, likely

O

No, unlikely

Not sure

a) The maximum allowed group size in the wilderness is currently 15 people. What
do you think the maximum group size should be? [5. VARIATION VERP5]

O

O

Smaller than 15

15 people

O

Larger than 15

b) If you answered “smaller” or “larger” above, what maximum allowed group size
would you suggest?
[5. VERP5]
5.

6.

On this trip, what was the primary reason that you and your personal group came
to Death Valley? Please mark ( ) one. [3. VARIATION TRIPC1]

•

O

Visit scenic attractions (i.e. Badwater, Zabriskie Point, etc.)

O

View or study desert plants or animals

O

Enjoy recreation in the park (i.e., hiking, driving backcountry roads, etc.)

O

Experience quiet and solitude

O

Experience wilderness and open space

O

Other (Please specify)

a) On this trip, did you and your personal group stay overnight (away from your
permanent residence) either inside Death Valley NP or within the nearby area (a
two-hour drive outside of Death Valley NP)? [3. TRIPC13]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 7

b) If YES, please list the number of nights you and your personal group stayed in
Death Valley NP and within two hours of the park. [3. TRIPC14]
Number of nights inside Death Valley NP
Number of nights in the area outside Death Valley NP (within two-hour drive)
c & d) In which types of lodging did you and your personal group spend the night(s)
in Death Valley NP or in the area within a two-hour drive? Please mark ( ) all that
apply. [3. TRIPC15]

•

Inside Death Valley NP

Outside Death Valley NP (within two-hour drive)

O

Lodge, hotel, motel, vacation rental, B&B, etc.

O

O

RV/trailer camping

O

7

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study

O

Tent camping in developed campground

O

O

Camping in a backcountry roadside campsite

O

O

Backpacking in wilderness campsite

O

O

Backcountry cabin

O

O

Other (Please specify)

O

Other inside
7.

Other outside

On this visit, how much time did you and your personal group spend at Death
Valley NP? Please list partial hours or days as 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4. [3. TRIPC11]
Number of hours, if less than 24 hours
OR
Number of days, if 24 hours or more

8.

a) On this visit, in which activities did you and your personal group participate within
Death Valley NP? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. ACT22]

•

O

Attending ranger-led talks/programs

O

Driving on backcountry dirt roads

O

Camping overnight along backcountry dirt roads

O

Backpacking overnight in wilderness

O

Creative arts (photography/drawing/painting/writing, etc.)

O

Experiencing solitude/quiet

O

Viewing the dark night sky

O

Picnicking

O

Birdwatching

O

Visiting the visitor center or museum

O

Touring Scotty’s Castle

O

Walking/hiking

O

Viewing scenic attractions (i.e. Badwater, Dante’s View, etc.)

O

Other (Please specify)

8

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study
b) Which one of the above activities was the most important to you and your
personal group on this visit to Death Valley NP? Please list only one. [3. ACT23]

9.

a) On this visit, what was/were your destination(s) along the backcountry roads or in
the wilderness of Death Valley NP? [TOPIC AREA 2 TRIP/VISIT
CHARACTERISTICS]

b) Why did you and your personal group choose the above destination(s)? Please
mark ( ) all that apply. [TOPIC AREA 2 INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR
PARK EXPERIENCES]

•

O

A favorite place to visit

O

Suggested by a ranger

O

Had never visited before

O

Suggested by a friend

O

Other (Please specify)

•

c) How did you and your personal group access your destination? Please mark ( )
all that apply. [3. TBACK11]

O

Drove backcountry dirt roads

O
O
O

Hiked established trails

O

Hiked closed vehicle routes

Hiked cross-country routes
Other (Please specify)

10. a) On this visit, how crowded was (were) the backcountry road(s) or wilderness
location(s) that you and your personal group visited in Death Valley NP?
[5.CROWD1]
Backcountry roads or
wilderness locations visited
(Please specify)

How crowded?
Not al all
crowded

A little
crowded

Moderately
crowded

Very
crowded

Extremely
crowded

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

9

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study

b) If you marked “very crowded” or “extremely crowded” above, would you and your
personal group support use restrictions to limit the number of visitors who use a
given site at one time? [TOPIC AREA 7 INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS ON PARK
MANAGEMENT]

O

O

Yes

O

No

Not sure

11. a) On this visit, were the signs directing you and your personal group around the
backcountry roads in Death Valley NP adequate? [6. EVALSERV17]
Backcountry road signs

O

Yes

O

No

O

Did not use

Trailhead signs

O

Yes

O

No

O

Did not use

b) If you answered NO for the above, please explain.
Backcountry road signs
Trailhead signs

•

12. a) Please mark ( ) all the visitor services and facilities that you and your personal
group used at Death Valley NP during this visit. [6. EVALSERV19]
b) Next, for only those services and facilities that you and your personal group
used, please rate their importance to your visit from 1-5.
c) Finally, for only those services and facilities that you and your personal group
used, please rate their quality from 1-5.

a) Visitor services/facilities used
Mark ( )

•

b) If used,
how important?
1=Not important
2=Somewhat important
3=Moderately important
4=Very important
5=Extremely important

O

Access for people with disabilities

O

Assistance from park staff

O

Backcountry roads passable only to
4x4 vehicles

O

Backcountry roads passable to
vehicles without 4x4

O

Open camping (non-designated sites)

O

Directional signs on backcountry roads

c) If used,
what quality?
1=Very poor
2=Poor
3=Average
4=Good
5=Very good

10

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study

O

Developed campsites or campgrounds

O

Trails

O

Backcountry cabins

O

Death Valley backcountry road map

O

Park website: www.nps.gov/deva
used before or during visit

O

Picnic tables

O

Restrooms

O

Visitor center (other than restrooms)

13. Which tools did you and your personal group use to find your way through the
Death Valley NP backcountry or wilderness? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [TOPIC
AREA 2 TRIP/VISIT CHARACTERISTICS]

•

O

Global Positioning System (GPS) unit

O

USGS topographic maps

O

Death Valley NPS backcountry roads map

O

Death Valley park brochure or park newspaper

O

Other maps (e.g. Death Valley AAA, Tom Harrison, or Trails Illustrated)

O

Other (Please specify)

11

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study

14. Death Valley NP was established to preserve and protect outstanding geological
features and scenery while conserving natural and cultural resources, and allowing
for public enjoyment of the resources. On this visit, how important were the following
attributes/resources to you? Please mark ( ) one answer for each
attribute/resource. [6. VARIATION OPMGMT4]

•

Attribute/resource

Not
Somewhat Moderately
Very
Extremely
important important important important important

Scenic views

O

O

O

O

O

Geologic features

O

O

O

O

O

Native animals

O

O

O

O

O

Native plants

O

O

O

O

O

Clean water

O

O

O

O

O

Clean air/visibility

O

O

O

O

O

Solitude

O

O

O

O

O

Natural quiet/sounds of nature

O

O

O

O

O

Dark, starry night sky

O

O

O

O

O

Historic buildings/mining sites

O

O

O

O

O

Educational opportunities

O

O

O

O

O

Recreational opportunities

O

O

O

O

O

(hiking, camping, etc.)

12
Death Valley National Park Visitor Study
15. Were you and your personal group able to experience any of the following
wilderness characteristics during your visit to Death Valley NP? Please mark ( ) all
that apply. [TOPIC AREA 2 TRIP/VISIT CHARACTERISTICS]

•

O

Untrammeled (unrestricted/unrestrained) wilderness

O

Undeveloped and natural lands

O

Opportunities for solitude

O

Opportunities for primitive camping

O

Other (Please specify)

16. a) What is your opinion about the number of developed hiking trails used to access
the wilderness? Please mark ( ) one. [6. VARIATION OPMGMT3]

•

O

Current number of developed trails is adequate

O

Number of developed trails should be increased

O

Number of developed trails should be decreased

b) Comments about the number of developed trails:

17. During this visit to Death Valley NP, please indicate how the following elements
affected your park experience. Please mark ( ) one response for each element.
[TOPIC AREA 6 INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR PARK EXPERIENCES]
Affect your experience?
Did not
Element
Added to No effect Detracted from experience

•

Vehicles on established roads

O

O

O

O

Evidence of illegal off-road activity

O

O

O

O

Evidence of mining activity

O

O

O

O

Utility corridors

O

O

O

O

Aircraft overflights

O

O

O

O

Trash along backcountry roadsides

O

O

O

O

Other (Please specify below)

O

O

O

O

13

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study
18. a) Campfires are currently prohibited in the Death Valley NP wilderness. Do you
think that wood campfires should be allowed at the park backcountry roadside
campsites? [TOPIC AREA 7 INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS ON PARK
MANAGEMENT]

O

O

Yes

No

b) If YES, would you be willing to bring and use a fire pan and remove your wood
campfire ashes from the backcountry? [TOPIC AREA 6 INDIVIDUAL
PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR PARK EXPERIENCES]

O

Yes

O

No

19. a) During this visit to Death Valley NP, did you and your personal group have any
personal interaction with a park ranger? [3. VARIATION ACT8]
O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 20

b) If YES, please rate the quality of your interaction with the park ranger. Please
mark ( ) one response for each element. [6. EVALSERV23]

•

Very
poor

Poor

Average

Good

Very
good

Helpfulness

O

O

O

O

O

Courteousness

O

O

O

O

O

Quality of information provided

O

O

O

O

O

Element

20. On this visit, were you and your personal group part of one of the following types of
organized groups? [1. GR6]
a) Commercial guided tour group

O

Yes

O

No

b) School/educational group

O

Yes

O

No

c) Other group (scouts, work, church, etc.)

O

Yes

O

No

d) If you were with one of these organized groups, how many people, including
yourself, were in this group? [TOPIC AREA 1 INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS]
Number of people in organized group

14
Death Valley National Park Visitor Study
21. a) On this visit, what kind of personal group (not guided tour/school/other organized
group) were you with? [1. GRP5]

O

Alone

O

Friends

O

Family

O

Family and friends

O

Other (Please specify)

b) On this visit, how many people were in your personal group, including yourself?
[1. GRP3]
Number of people
c) On this visit, how many vehicles did you and your personal group use to arrive at
the park? [1. GRP4]
Number of vehicles
22. For you and your personal group on this visit, please provide the following. (If you
do not know the answer, leave blank). [1. AGE3]

a) Current age

c) Number of lifetime
b) U.S. ZIP code or
visits
to Death Valley NP
name of country
(including this visit)
other than U.S.

Yourself
Member #2
Member #3
Member #4
Member #5
Member #6
Member #7
23. a) Does anyone in your personal group have a physical condition that made it
difficult to access or participate in park activities or services? [1. GRP2]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go on to Question 24

b) If YES, what services or activities did the person(s) have difficulty accessing or
participating in?

15

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study
24. a) Did you and your personal group stay overnight in any backcountry cabins?
[TOPIC AREA 2 TRIP/VISIT CHARACTERISTICS]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go on to Question 25

b) Please list cabins in which you and your personal group stayed on this visit.
c) Please list number of nights that you and your personal group spent in each cabin.
d) Please rate the condition of the cabin.
d) Cabin condition
b) Cabin name

c) Number
of nights

Very
poor

Poor

Average

Good

Very
good

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

25. a) During this visit to Death Valley NP backcountry roads or wilderness, was there
anything that you or your group wanted to see or do but were unable to? [3.
ACT25]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go on to Question 26

b) If YES, what was it?

[3. ACT26]

c) What prevented you from being able to see that feature or do that activity? [3.
ACT27]

26. For you only, what is the highest level of education you have completed? Please
mark ( ) only one. [1. ED1]

•

O

Some high school

O

Bachelor’s degree

O

High school diploma/GED

O

Graduate degree

O

Some college

16

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study

•

27. a) Are you or members of your personal group Hispanic or Latino? Please mark ( )
one for each group member. [1. RACE/ETH1]
Yourself
Yes, Hispanic or
Latino
No, not Hispanic or
Latino

Member Member Member Member Member Member
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

b) What is your race? What is the race of each member of your personal group? Please
mark ( ) one or more for each group member.[1. RACE/ETH4]
Member Member Member Member Member Member
Yourself
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7

•

American Indian or
Alaska Native

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

Asian

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

Black or African
American

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

Native Hawaiian or
other Pacific Islander

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

White

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

28. a) Which category best represents your annual household income before taxes?
Please mark ( ) only one. [1. INCOME1]

•

O

Less than $24,999

O

$50,000-$74,999

O

$150,000-$199,999

O

$25,000-$34,999

O

$75,000-$99,999

O

$200,000 or more

O

$35,000-$49,999

O

$100,000-$149,999

O

Do not wish to answer

b) How many people are in your household?
AREA 1 INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS]

Number of people [TOPIC

29. a) What did you and your personal group like most about your backcountry road or
wilderness experience at Death Valley NP? [6.EVALSERV25]

17

Death Valley National Park Visitor Study

b) What did you and your personal group like least about your backcountry road or
wilderness experience at Death Valley NP? [6. EVALSERV24]

30. If you were a manager planning for the future of Death Valley NP’s backcountry
roads and wilderness, what would you propose? [6. OPNMGMT6]

30. Is there anything else you and your personal group would like to tell us about your
visit to Death Valley NP? [6. OPNMGMT7]

31. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the facilities, services, and recreational
opportunities provided to you and your personal group at Death Valley NP during
this visit? Please mark ( ) one. [6. EVALSERV1]

•

Very poor

O

Poor

O

Average

O

Good

O

Very good

O

Thank you for your help! Please seal the questionnaire with the stickers provided and
drop it in any U.S. mailbox.
Printed on recycled paper

Visitor Services Project
Park Studies Unit
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
P.O. Box 441139
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1139

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Social Science Program
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Visitor Services Project

Virgin Islands National Park
Visitor Study

Need photo/artwork

2

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
OMB Approval 1024-0224 (NPS# )
Expiration date:
United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Virgin Islands National Park
1300 Cruz Bay Creek
St. John, VI 00830
IN REPLY REFER TO:

February 2010
Dear Visitor:
Thank you for participating in this important study. Our goal is to
learn about the expectations, opinions, and interests of visitors to
Virgin Islands National Park. This information will assist us in our
efforts to better manage this park and to serve you, our visitor.
This questionnaire is only being given to a select number of
visitors, so your participation is very important! It should only take
about 20 minutes to complete after your visit.
When your visit is over, please complete this 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 Margaret Littlejohn, NPS
VSP Director, Park Studies Unit, College of Natural Resources,
P.O. Box 441139, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 838441139, phone: 208-885-7863, email: [email protected].
We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Need electronic signature
Mark Hardgrove
Superintendent, Virgin Islands National Park

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study

DIRECTIONS
At the end of your visit:
1) Please have the selected individual complete this questionnaire.
2) Answer the questions carefully since each question is different.
3) For questions that use circles (O), please mark your answer by
filling in the circle with black or blue ink, or a #2 pencil.

4) Seal it with the stickers provided.
5) Drop it in a U.S. mailbox.
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
personal 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 Margaret Littlejohn,
NPS Visitor Services Project, College of Natural Resources, University of
Idaho, P.O. Box 441139, Moscow, ID, 83844-1139; email: [email protected].

3

4

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study

Your Visit To Virgin Islands National Park
NOTE: In this questionnaire, your personal group is defined as anyone that you are
visiting the park with, such as spouse, family, friends, etc. This does not include the
larger group that you might be traveling with, such as school, church, scouts, or
tour group.

1.

a) Prior to your visit, how did you and your personal group obtain information
about Virgin Islands National Park? Please mark ( ) all that apply in column
(a). [2. VARIATION TPLAN11]

•

b) If you were to visit Virgin Islands National Park in the future, how would you
and your personal group prefer to obtain information about the park? Please
mark ( ) all that apply in column (b).

•

a) Prior to this visit

b) Prior to future visits

O

Did not obtain information prior to visit Î Go to part b of this question

O

Previous visits

O

O

Friends/relatives/word of mouth

O

O

Travel guides/tour books (AAA, etc.)

O

O

Maps/brochures

O

O

Newspaper/magazine articles

O

O

Inquiry to park via phone, mail, or email

O

O

Television/radio programs/videos

O

O

Virgin Islands National Park website: www.nps.gov/viis

O

O

Other websites

O

O

School class/program

O

O

Local businesses (hotels, motels, restaurants, etc.)

O

O

Chamber of commerce/visitor bureau/welcome center

O

O

Tourist information at St. Thomas Airport

O

O

Tour director (cruise ship, bus or other organized group)

O

O

Other (Please specify below)

O

Prior to this visit

Prior to future visits

5

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study

c) From the sources you used prior to this visit, did you and your personal group
receive the type of information about the park that you needed? [2. TPLAN12]

O

No

O

Yes Î Go to Question 2

d) If NO, what type of park information did you and your personal group need that
was not available? Please be specific. [2. TPLAN13]

2.

a) Prior to your visit, were you and your personal group aware of Virgin
Islands Coral Reef National Monument? [1. KNOW1]

O

Yes

O

No Æ Go to part c of this question

b) Have you and your personal group visited Virgin Islands Coral Reef National
Monument? [1. VISITHIS1]

O

Yes

O

No

c) Would you and your personal group like more information about Virgin Islands
Coral Reef National Monument? [3. VARIATION LEARN2]

O
3.

Yes

O

No

On this visit, were the signs directing you and your personal group to Virgin
Islands National Park adequate? Please mark ( ) one answer for each. [6.
EVALSERV17]
a) Island road signs
O Yes O No O Did not use

•

b) Signs in local communities

O Yes

O

No

O

Did not use

c) If you answered NO for any of the above, please explain.
Island road signs
Signs in local communities
4.

On this trip, what was the primary reason that you and your personal group
visited the U.S. Virgin Islands? Please mark ( ) one. [3. VARIATION TRIPC1]

•

O

Resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands

O

Part of cruise ship package tour

O

Visit Virgin Islands National Park

O

Visit other attractions in the area

O

Visit friends/relatives in the area

O

Business

O

Other (Please specify)

6
5.

6.

7.

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
On this trip, what were the reasons that you and your personal group visited
Virgin Islands National Park? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. VARIATION
TRIPC1]

•

O

Resident of St. John Island

O

Part of cruise ship package tour

O

Learn about history

O

Visit a national park area

O

Attend ranger-led/interpretive programs

O

Purchase souvenirs/gifts

O

Recreation (sunbathe, swim, snorkel, fish, boat, etc.)

O

Visit an International Biosphere Reserve

O

Seek quiet/solitude

O

View scenery

O

Other (Please specify)

•

On this visit, what was your primary destination? Please mark ( ) one. [2.
VARIATION TPLAN4]

O

St. John Island

O

O

Other (Please specify)

Virgin Islands National Park

a) On this visit, how much time did you and your personal group spend at Virgin
Islands National Park? Please list partial hours or days as 1/4, 1/2, 3/4. [3.
TRIPC11]
__ Number of hours if less than 24 hours OR
Number of days if 24 hours or more

b) On this visit, how much total time did you and your personal group spend on
St. John, including time spent at Virgin Islands National Park? Please list
partial hours or days as 1/4, 1/2, 3/4. [3. TRIPC11]
Number of hours if less than 24 hours OR
Number of days if 24 hours or more

7

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
8.

How did the time that you and your personal group spent visiting Virgin Islands
National Park compare with the time you had planned to visit the park? Please
mark ( ) one. [3. TRIPC33]

•

9.

O

Did not have a planned amount of time to visit

O

About the same time as planned

O

Longer than planned Î Why was visit longer?

O

Shorter than planned Î Why was visit shorter?

a) On this visit, in which activities did you and your personal group participate
within Virgin Islands National Park? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. ACT22]

•

O

Sailing

O

Snorkeling

O

Sunbathing

O

Fishing

O

Visiting ruins

O

Photography

O

Visiting the visitor center

O

Walking/hiking

O

Power boating

O

Scuba diving

O

Swimming

O

Picnicking

O

Camping

O

Other (Please specify)

b) Which one of these activities was the most important to you and your
personal group on this visit to Virgin Islands National Park? Please list only
one. [3. ACT23]
10. a) On this trip, did you and your personal group stay overnight, away from your
permanent residence, in Virgin Islands National Park or on St. John Island?
[3. TRIPC13]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 11

b) If YES, please list the number of nights you and your personal group stayed
in Virgin Islands National Park. [3. TRIPC14]
Number of nights in Virgin Islands National Park
c) Please list the number of nights you and your personal group stayed on St.
John Island outside of Virgin Islands National Park. [3. TRIPC14]
Number of nights on St. John Island

8

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
d) In which types of lodging did you and your personal group spend the night(s)
on St. John Island? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. TRIPC15]

•

O

Resort hotel (Please list location)

O

Camping in developed campground

O

Residence of friends or relatives

O

Villa renting for $5,000 or more/week (Please list location)

O

Villa renting for less than $5,000/week (Please list location)

O

Timeshare

O

Seasonal residence

O

Other (Please specify)

11. On this visit, which of the following sites in Virgin Islands National Park did you
and your personal group visit? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. ACT19]

•

O

Cruz Bay Visitor Center

O

Hawksnest Bay

O

Trunk Bay

O

Cinnamon Bay

O

Annaberg Sugar Mill

O

Maho Bay

O

Catherineberg Sugar Mill

O

Lameshur

O

Saltpond Bay

O

Ram Head

O

North Shore Boating Zone

O

Reef Bay

O

South Shore Boating Zone

12. a) On this trip, what was the last form of transportation you and your personal
group use to arrive in the U.S. Virgin Islands? Please mark ( ) one. [3.
TRANS1]

•

O

Personal boat

O

O

Cruise ship

Airplane

b) On this trip, what forms of transportation did you and your personal group use
to get around in Virgin Islands National Park? Please mark ( ) all that apply.
[3. VARIATION TRANS1]

•

O

Rental boat

O

Personal boat

O

Rental vehicle

O

Personal vehicle

O

Open-air safari bus tour

O

Taxi

O

Other (Please specify)

9

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
13. a) If you and your personal group drove a vehicle around the island, were you
able to find parking at all the areas you wanted to visit? [5. CROWD5]

O

No

O

Yes Î Go to part c of this question

b) If NO, at which area(s) were you unable to find parking? [5. CROWD6]

•

c) In your opinion, how safe were the roads around the island? Please mark ( )
one. [6. VARIATION EVALSERV19]

O

Very
unsafe

O

Somewhat
unsafe

O

Neither safe
nor unsafe

O

Somewhat
safe

O

Very
safe

d) If you answered “very unsafe” or “somewhat unsafe,” what do you think
needs to be done to improve the safety of the island roads? [6. VARIATION
EVALSERV20]

10
Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
14. a) Please mark ( ) all the visitor services and facilities that you and your
personal group used at Virgin Islands National Park during this visit. [6.
EVALSERV19]

•

b) Next, for only those services and facilities that you and your personal group
used, please rate their importance to your visit from 1-5.
c) Finally, for only those services and facilities that you and your personal group
used, please rate their quality from 1-5.

a) Visitor services/facilities used
Mark ( )

•

b) If used,
how important?
1=Not important
2=Somewhat important
3=Moderately important
4=Very important
5=Extremely important

O

Access for people with disabilities

O

Assistance from park staff

O

Visitor center bookstore sales items
(selection, price, etc.)

O

Directional signs

O

Junior Ranger program

O

Trails

O

Park brochure/map

O

Park website: www.nps.gov/viis
used before or during visit

O

Trunk Bay restroom/change area

O

Trunk Bay concession area (snack bar,
snorkel gear rental, gift shop)

O

Ranger-led programs

O

Cinnamon Bay Campground

O

Video/film in visitor center

O

Visitor center information desk

O

Visitor center exhibits

O

Mooring buoys

c) If used,
what quality?
1=Very poor
2=Poor
3=Average
4=Good
5=Very good

11

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
15. a) During this visit to Virgin Islands National Park, did you and your personal
group have any personal interaction with a park ranger? [3. VARIATION
ACT8]
O
Yes
O
No Î Go to Question 16

b) If YES, please rate the quality of your interaction with the park ranger. Please
mark ( ) one response for each element. [6. EVALSERV23]

•

Very
poor

Poor

Average

Good

Very
good

Helpfulness

O

O

O

O

O

Courteousness

O

O

O

O

O

Quality of information provided

O

O

O

O

O

Element

16. a) Have you visited the town of Cruz Bay on St. John Island before this visit? [1.
VISITHIS1]
O Yes O No Î Go to Question 17
b) If YES, did you notice any changes in the town of Cruz Bay? [TOPIC ARE 6
INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR PARK EXPERIENCES]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 17

c) If YES, what changes did you notice?

17. a) If you were to visit Virgin Islands National Park in the future, how would you
and your personal group prefer to learn about the cultural and natural history
of the park? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. FVIS3]

•

O

Not interested in learning about the park Î Go to Question 18

O

Films, movies, slideshows

O

Evening events

O

Indoor exhibits

O

Special events

O

Outdoor exhibits

O

Self-guided tours

O

Park website: www.nps.gov/viis

O

Volunteer opportunities

O

Printed materials (brochures, books, maps, etc.)

O

Ranger-led/interpretive programs

O

Electronic media/devices for visitors (MP3 players, cell phone tours,
interactive computer programs/tours, audio devices, etc.)

12

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study

O

Other (Please specify)

b) If you were to visit Virgin Islands National Park in the future, which of the
following would you and your personal group prefer to guide you on a tour?
Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. FVIS7]

•

O

Self-guided with MP3 player

O

Self-guided with cell phone

O

Self-guided with booklet, CD

O

Guided bus/taxi tour

O

Other (Please specify)

18. a) On this visit to Virgin Islands National Park, which of the following ranger-led
programs did you and your personal group attend? Please mark ( ) all that
apply in column (a). [3. ACT22]

•

b) If you were to visit Virgin Islands National Park in the future, which of these
ranger-led programs would you and your personal group be interested in
attending? Please mark ( ) all that apply in column (b). [3. FVIS7]

•

a) Attend on this visit?

b) Attend on future visit?

O

Did not attend any ranger-led programs on this visit Î Go to part b

O

Snorkel trip

O

O

Bird walk

O

O

Seashell walk

O

O

Cultural history demonstration

O

O

Reef Bay hike (culture and nature)

O

O

Cinnamon Bay walk (culture and nature)

O

O

Star gazing program

O

O

Ranger’s Choice evening program

O

O

Ecological walk

O

O

Other (Please specify below)

O

Attend on this visit

Attend on future visit

13

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study

19. a) Are you a member of the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, a non-profit
organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural and cultural
resources of the park and promoting responsible enjoyment of the park? [1.
PART1]

O

No

O

Yes Î Go to Question 20

b) If NO, would you be interested in joining?

O

Yes

O

No

O

Maybe, need more information

20. a) Have you visited Virgin Islands National Park in the past? [1. VISITHIS1]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 21

b) If YES, what year did you last visit? [TOPIC AREA 1 INDIVIDUAL
CHARACTERISTICS] ________
c) Did you notice any changes in park facilities/services/resources since the last
time you visited? Please mark ( ) one answer for each facility/service/
resource. [TOPIC AREA 6 INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR PARK
EXPERIENCES]

•

Negative
change

No change

Positive
change

Not
applicable

Underwater trail

O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O

Underwater resources (coral reefs, fish,
etc.)

O

O

O

O

Historic structures/ruins (sugar mill)

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

Facility/service/resource

Beach facilities (e.g., restrooms)
Campground
Trails on land

Viewscapes (views from park locations)
Dark, starry night sky
Ranger-led programs
Mangroves
Water quality
Fishing
Other (Specify)

14
Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
21. a) Did you and your personal group use the island taxi/safari bus service? [3.
TRANS2]
O Yes
O No Î Go on to Question 22

•

b) Please rate the quality of the taxi service. Please mark ( ) one response for
each element. [6. EVALTRAN5]
Very
Very
Element
poor
Poor Average Good
good
Courteousness of driver

O

O

O

O

O

Quality of information provided by
driver

O

O

O

O

O

How safely the taxi was driven

O

O

O

O

O

22. On this visit, were you and your personal group part of the following organized
groups? Please mark ( ) one for each. [1. GR6]

•

O
O
O

a) Commercial guided tour group
b) School/educational group
c) Other group (scouts, work, church, etc.)

Yes
Yes
Yes

O
O
O

No
No
No

d) If you were with one of these organized groups, how many people, including
yourself, were in this group? [TOPIC AREA 1 INDIVIDUAL
CHARACTERISTICS]
Number of people in organized group
23. a) On this visit, what kind of personal group (not guided tour/school/other
organized group) were you with? Please mark ( ) one. [1. GRP5]

•

O

Alone

O

Friends

O

Family

O

Family and friends

O

Other (Please specify)

b) On this visit, how many people were in your personal group, including
yourself? [1. GRP3]
Number of people
c) On this visit, how many vehicles/boats did you and your personal group use
to arrive at the park after you arrived on St. John? [1. GRP4]
Number of vehicles

15

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study
24. a) Does anyone in your personal group have a physical condition that made it
difficult to access or participate in park activities or services? [1. GRP2]

O

O

Yes

No Î Go on to Question 25

b) If YES, what services or activities did the person(s) have difficulty accessing or
participating in?

c) Because of the physical condition, what specific problems did the person(s)
have? Please mark ( ) all that apply.

•

O

Hearing (difficulty hearing ranger programs, bus drivers, audio-visual
exhibits or programs, or information desk staff, even with hearing aid)

O

Visual (difficulty seeing exhibits, directional signs, or visual aids that are
part of programs, even with prescribed glasses or due to blindness)

O

Mobility (difficulty accessing facilities, services, or programs, even with
walking aid and/or wheelchair)

O

Other (Please specify)

25. For you and your personal group on this visit, please provide the following
information. If you do not know the answer, leave blank. [1. AGE3]

a) Current
age
Yourself
Member #2
Member #3
Member #4
Member #5
Member #6
Member #7

b) U.S. ZIP code or
name of country
other than U.S.

c) Number of lifetime visits to
Virgin Islands National Park
(including this visit)

16

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study

26. a) Are you or members of your personal group Hispanic or Latino? Please mark
( ) one for each group member. [1. RACE/ETH1]

•

Yourself
Yes, Hispanic or
Latino
No, not Hispanic
or Latino

Member Member Member Member Member
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6

Member
#7

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

b) What is your race? What is the race of each member of your personal group?
Please mark ( ) one or more for you and each group member. [1.
RACE/ETH4]

•

Yourself

Member Member Member Member Member
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6

Member
#7

American Indian or
Alaska Native

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

Asian

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

Black or African
American

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

Native Hawaiian or
other Pacific
Islander

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

White

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

17

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Study

27. When visiting an area such as Virgin Islands National Park, which languages do
you and most members of your personal group prefer to use for the following?
[1. VARIATION LANG2]
O English
O Other (Specify)
___________
a) Speaking:
b) Reading:

O

English

O

Other (Specify )_______________

c) In your opinion, what services in the park need to be provided in languages other
than English? Please specify a service(s) or mark ( ) “None.”

•

O

Service(s)

None

28. For you only, what is the highest level of education you have completed? Please
mark ( ) only one. [1. ED1]

•

O

Some high school

O

Bachelor’s degree

O

High school diploma/GED

O

Graduate degree

O

Some college

29. If you were a manager planning for the future of Virgin Islands National Park,
what would you and your personal group propose? [6. OPNMGMT6]

30. Is there anything else you and your personal group would like to tell us about
your visit to Virgin Islands National Park? [6. OPNMGMT7]

31. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the facilities, services, and
recreational opportunities provided to you and your personal group at Virgin
Islands National Park during this visit? Please mark ( ) one. [6. EVALSERV1]

•

Very poor

O

Poor

O

Average

O

Good

O

Very good

O

Thank you for your help! Please seal the questionnaire with the stickers provided
and drop it in any U.S. mailbox.

Printed on recycled paper

Visitor Services Project
Park Studies Unit
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
P.O. Box 441139
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1139

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Social Science Program
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Visitor Services Project

San Juan National Historic Site
Visitor Study
Placeholder art

REVIEW DRAFT #4

2

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
OMB Approval 1024-0224 (NPS# )
Expiration date:
United States Department of the Interior

IN REPLY REFER TO:

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
San Juan National Historic Site
Fort San Cristobal
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

February 2010
Dear Visitor:
Thank you for participating in this important study. Our goal is to
learn about the expectations, opinions, and interests of visitors to
San Juan National Historic Site. This information will assist us in
our efforts to better manage this park and to serve you, our visitor.
This questionnaire is only being given to a select number of
visitors, so your participation is very important! It should only take
about 20 minutes to complete after your visit.
When your visit is over, please complete this 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 Margaret Littlejohn, NPS
VSP Director, Park Studies Unit, College of Natural Resources,
P.O. Box 441139, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 838441139, phone: 208-885-7863, email: [email protected].
We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Need electronic signature
Walter Chavez
Superintendent

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study

DIRECTIONS
At the end of your visit:
1) Please have the selected individual complete this questionnaire.
2) Answer the questions carefully since each question is different.
3) For questions that use circles (O), please mark your answer by
filling in the circle with black or blue ink, or a #2 pencil.

4) Seal it with the stickers provided.
5) Drop it in a U.S. mailbox.
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 personal 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 Margaret Littlejohn, NPS Visitor
Services Project, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, P.O. Box
441139, Moscow, ID, 83844-1139; email: [email protected].

3

4

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study

Your Visit To San Juan National Historic Site
NOTE: In this questionnaire, your personal group is defined as anyone that you are visiting
the park with, such as spouse, family, friends, etc. This does not include the larger
group that you might be traveling with, such as school, church, scouts, or tour group.

1.

a) Prior to your visit, how did you and your personal group obtain information about
San Juan National Historic Site? Please mark ( ) all that apply in column (a). [2.
VARIATION TPLAN11]

•

O

Did not obtain information prior to visit Î Go to part b of this question

b) If you were to visit San Juan National Historic Site in the future, how would you
and your personal group prefer to obtain information about the park? Please mark
( ) all that apply in column (b).

•

O

Not interested in obtaining information for future visit

a) Prior to this visit

b) Prior to future visits

O

Previous visits

O

O

Friends/relatives/word of mouth

O

O

Travel guides/tour books (such as AAA, etc.)

O

O

Tour director (cruise ship, bus or other organized group)

O

O

Newspaper/magazine articles

O

O

Inquiry to park via phone/mail/email

O

O

Television/radio programs/DVDs

O

O

San Juan National Historic Site website: www.nps.gov/saju

O

O

Other websites

O

O

School class/program

O

O

Local businesses (hotels, motels, restaurants, etc.)

O

O

Tourism company/chamber of commerce/welcome center

O

O

Tourist information at the airport

O

O

Travel agent

O

O

Other (Please specify below)

O

This visit:

Future visits:

5

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
c) From the sources you used prior to this visit, did you and your personal group
receive the type of information about the park that you needed? [2. TPLAN12]

O

O

No

Yes Î Go to Question 2

d) If NO, what type of park information did you and your personal group need that
was not available? Please be specific. [2. TPLAN13]

2.

a) If you and your personal group used the park website (www.nps.gov/saju/) prior
to or during this visit, please rate how helpful the website was in planning your
visit, by marking ( ) one response below. [TOPIC AREA 5 INDIVIDUAL
EVALUATION OF PARK SERVICES]

•

O
O

Did not use the park website Î Go to Question 3

Not at all
helpful

O

Somewhat
helpful

O

Moderately
helpful

O

Very
helpful

O

Extremely
helpful

b) If you rated the park website as “Not at all helpful” or “Somewhat helpful,” how
would you improve the current website information? [6. VARIATION
EVALSERV2]

3.

a) San Juan National Historic Site has a friends group called Friends of the Forts that
supports the park through educational programs, awareness, and funding. Prior to
this visit, were you and your group aware of this friends group? [1. PART2]

O

Yes

O

No

O

Not sure

b) Are you or any members of your personal group a member of Friends of the Forts?
[1. PART1]

O

No

O

Yes Î Go to Question 4

c) If NO, would you or any members of your personal group be interested in joining
or supporting Friends of the Forts?

O

No, unlikely
Ô
d) If NO, why not?
4.

O

Yes, likely
O
Go to Question 4 Ó

Not sure

a) Prior to this visit to San Juan National Historic Site, were you and your personal
group aware of the park site, Fortin San Juan de la Cruz, known locally as El
Cañuelo? [1. KNOW1]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 5

6

O

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
b) If YES, have you and your personal group ever visited El Cañuelo? [1.
VISITHIS1]
Visited on this visit

O

O

Visited on past visits

Have never visited
Ô Go to Question 5

c) If YES, what services or activities would you like to have available there? [3.
VARIATION FVIS8]

5.

a) What form of transportation did you and your personal group use to arrive at
Puerto Rico? Please mark ( ) one. [3. TRANS1]

•

O

Live in Puerto Rico Î Go to part b of this question

O

Airplane

O

Other (Please specify)

O

Cruise ship

b) and c) On this visit, what forms of transportation did you and your personal group
use for accessing San Juan National Historic Site? Please mark ( ) all that apply.
[3. VARIATION TRANS1]

•

Form of transport used

b) To arrive at park

c) To visit park sites

Free tram/trolley

O

O

Private or rental vehicle

O

O

Taxi

O

O

Tour bus

O

O

Walk

O

O

Other (Please specify)

O

O

d) If you and your personal group rode the free tram/trolley, how would you rate the
amount of time that you waited for a ride? [3. VARIATION TRANS4]

O

Did not ride free tram/trolley Î Go to Question 6

O

Too long

O

e) How long was your wait?

Just about right

O

Did not have to wait

Number of minutes [3. TRANS4]

7

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
6.

On this visit, were the signs directing you and your personal group to San Juan
National Historic Site adequate? Please mark ( ) one answer for each. [6.
EVALSERV17]

•

a) Signs in city to find park

O

Yes

O

No

O

Did not use

b) Signs within the park

O

Yes

O

No

O

Did not use

c) If you answered NO for either of the above, please explain.
City signs
Signs within park
7.

a) On this trip, what were the reasons that you and your personal group visited San
Juan National Historic Site? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. VARIATION
TRIPC1]

•

b) Which of the below reasons was the primary reason that you and your personal
group visited San Juan National Historic Site? Please mark ( ) one.

•

a) Reasons visited

b) Primary reason for visit

O

Learn about the history of the fortifications

O

O

Part of cruise ship package tour

O

O

Visit a national park area

O

O

Part of my cultural and historic heritage

O

O

Show fortifications to a friend/relative

O

O

Recreation (relax, fly kites, sunbathe, etc.) at the Esplanade –
the open area in front of El Morro

O

O

Other (Please specify below)

O

Reasons visited:
8.

Primary reason:

•

On the list below, please mark ( ) all of the places at San Juan National Historic
Site that you and your personal group visited during this visit. Use the map below
to help you locate the places. [2. ITIN1]

O

El Morro

O

Esplanade (open area near El Morro)

O

San Cristóbal

O

San Juan Gate/Paseo del Morro

O

City Wall

O

El Cañuelo

PLACEHOLDER MAP

8

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study

9.

On this visit, in which activities did you and your personal group participate at San
Juan National Historic Site? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. ACT22]

•

O

Visiting/touring fortifications

O

Viewing the video

O

Viewing indoor exhibits

O

Picnicking

O

Viewing outdoor exhibits

O

Flying kites

O

Attending ranger-led activities

O

Photography

O

Visiting San Juan Gate

O

Viewing the city walls

O

Walking/visiting Paseo del Morro

O

Visiting El Cañuelo

O

Visiting the Esplanade in front of El Morro

O

Other (Please specify)

10. a) During this visit to San Juan National Historic Site, did you and your personal
group have any personal interaction with a park employee? [3. VARIATION
ACT8]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 11

b) If YES, please rate the quality of your interaction with the park employee. Please
mark ( ) one response for each element. [6. EVALSERV23]

•

Element

Very poor

Poor

Average

Good

Very good

Helpfulness

O

O

O

O

O

Courteousness

O

O

O

O

O

Quality of information provided

O

O

O

O

O

9

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
11. a) On this visit, did you and your personal group have any children with you?
[TOPIC AREA 1 INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS]

O

O

Yes

No Î Go to Question 12

b) If YES, were they offered the chance to become a Junior Ranger? [3.
VARIATION ACT4]

O

O

Yes

No Î Go to Question 12

c) If YES, did they complete the activity booklet and become a Junior Ranger?

O

O

Yes

No

d) If NO, why couldn’t the child/children
complete the booklet? [3. ACT5]

e) Did you find the activities appropriate for your child/children? [TOPIC AREA 5
INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION OF PARK SERVICES]

O

Yes

O

No

•

12. a) Please mark ( ) all the visitor services and facilities that you or your personal
group used at San Juan National Historic Site during this visit. [6.EVALSERV19]
b) Next, for only those services and facilities that you or your personal group used,
please rate their importance to your visit from 1-5.
c) Finally, for only those services and facilities that you or your personal group
used, please rate their quality from 1-5.

a) Visitor services/facilities used
Mark ( )

•

b) If used,
how important?
1=Not important
2=Somewhat important
3=Moderately important
4=Very important
5=Extremely important

O

Access for people with disabilities

O

Assistance from park staff

O

Audiovisual program (in Spanish & English)

O

Bookstore sales items in fortifications
(selection, price, etc.)

O

Directional signs on fortification grounds

c) If used,
what quality?
1=Very poor
2=Poor
3=Average
4=Good
5=Very good

10

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study

O

Safety signs at entrances to fortifications

O

Free tram/trolley

O

Exhibits inside the fortifications

O

Exhibits outside the fortifications

O

Fortification tour (up to 1 hour)

O

Orientation talk (20 minutes)

O

Park brochure/map

O

Restrooms

13. a) Did you and your personal group
attend either of these ranger-led
activities at San Juan National
Historic Site? [3. VARIATION
ACT8]

Orientation talk

Ranger-led
fortification tour

Yes

No

Yes

No

O

O

O

O

If you answered YES to either activity above, please respond to each of the questions
below. Please mark ( ) one response for each question. [TOPIC AREA 5
INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION OF PARK SERVICES]

•

If you answered NO to both activities, please go to part g of this question.
b) Activity length?

Too
short

About
right

Too
long

Too
short

About
right

Too
long

O

O

O

O

O

O

Yes

No

Yes

No

c) Was activity offered at desired time?

O

O

O

O

d) Able to see area of fortification you
wanted to see?

O

O

O

O

e) Topics discussed of interest to you?

O

O

O

O

f) Did you learn something of relevance
to your life today?

O

O

O

O

11

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
g) If you and your personal group did not participate in ranger-led activities on this
visit, why not? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. ACT9]

•

O

Not interested in ranger-led activities Î Go to Question 14

O

Did not have time for this activity

O

Not aware of any ranger-led activities offered at park

O

Program subjects were not of interest

O

Not enough activities offered

O

Other (Please specify)

14. a) On the day that you received this questionnaire, how long did you and your
personal group stay at San Juan National Historic Site? [3. TRIPC11]
Number of hours

Please list partial hours as 1/4,1/2, 3/4.

b) Did you and your personal group visit the park on more than one day? [3.
TRIPC12]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 15

c) If YES, on how many days did you and your personal group visit?
Number of days
15. During this visit to San Juan National Historic Site, please indicate how the
following elements may have affected you and your personal group’s park
experience. Please mark ( ) one response for each element. [TOPIC AREA 6
INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR PARK EXPERIENCES]

•

Detracted
from

No effect

Kite flying

O

O

O

O

Aircraft flying overhead

O

O

O

O

Closed areas due to preservation
work or projects

O

O

O

O

Special events

O

O

O

O

Street vendors

O

O

O

O

Element

Added to

Did not
experience

12
San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
16. a) San Juan National Historic Site currently has the following daily admission fees.
In your opinion, how appropriate are the amounts for daily admission? (Children
under 16 years are admitted free.) [6. EVALFEE2]
Fee amount
Adult fee $3/fortification (age 16 and up)

Too high

About right

Too low

O

O

O

O

O

O

Adult fee $5/both fortifications (age 16 and up)

b) Were you and your personal group aware that part of the fee you pay helps fund
preservation of the fortifications and provides ranger-led activities? [TOPIC
AREA 1 INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS]

O

Yes

O

No

c) If you and your personal group visit again in the future, would you be willing to
pay an additional admission fee of up to $3 per adult? [6. EVALFEE1]

O

Yes, likely

O

No, unlikely

O

Not sure

17. San Juan National Historic Site bookstores inside the fortifications currently sell
postcards, publications, and other items, such as bottled water. If you and your
personal group visit in the future, what types of items would you like to have
available for purchase in the bookstores? Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3.
VARIATION FVIS22]

•

O

Not interested in sales items Î Go to Question 18

O

Maps

O

Publications about fortification history

O

DVDs/CDs

O

Self-guided walking audio tour

O

Other (Please specify)

18. If you were to visit San Juan National Historic Site in the future, what subjects would
you and your personal group be most interested in learning about? Please mark ( )
all that apply. [3. FVIS6]

•

O

Not interested in learning about the park Î Go to Question 19

O

Architecture/construction of the fortifications

O

Soldiers’ life in the fortifications

O

Cannons and defense of the fortifications

O

U.S. military period of fortification history

13

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study

O

The fortifications’ place in Puerto Rican history

O

Other (Please specify)

19. If you were to visit in the future, how would you and your personal group prefer to
learn about the cultural and natural history of San Juan National Historic Site?
Please mark ( ) all that apply. [3. FVIS4]

•

O

Not interested in learning about the park Î Go to Question 20

O

Films, movies, slideshows

O

Evening events

O

Exhibits inside the fortifications

O

Special events

O

Exhibits outside the fortifications

O

Self-guided tours

O

Park website: www.nps.gov/saju

O

Volunteer opportunities

O

Printed materials (brochures, books, maps, etc.)

O

Ranger-led activities and interpretive programs

O

Electronic media/devices for visitors (downloadable digital files, podcasts,
cell phone tours, interactive computer programs/tours, audio, etc.)

O

Other (Please specify)

20. a) If you were to visit San Juan National Historic Site in the future, would you and
your personal group be interested in attending programs (such as a candlelight
tour, lecture by subject expert, etc.) in the fortifications after closing? [3.
VARIATION FVIS10]

O

Yes

O

No

O

Not sure

b) If YES, how long should the program be? [3. FVIS11]

O

½ hour

O

1 hour

O

More than 1 hour

c) Would you be willing to pay a modest fee of $5/adult to attend an afterhours program? [6. VARIATION EVALFEE1]

O

Yes

O

No

O

Not sure

21. Would you and your personal group be likely to visit San Juan National Historic
Site again in the future? [2. FVIS1]

O

Yes, likely

O

No, unlikely

O

Not sure

14
San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
22. On this visit, were you and your personal group part of one of the following types of
organized groups? [1. GR6]
a) Commercial guided tour group

O

Yes

O

No

b) School/educational group

O

Yes

O

No

c) Other group (scouts, work, church, etc.)

O

Yes

O

No

d) If you were with one of these organized groups, how many people, including
yourself, were in this group? [TOPIC AREA 1 INDIVIDUAL
CHARACTERISTICS]
Number of people in organized group
23. a) On this visit, what kind of personal group (not guided tour/school/other organized
group) were you with? [1. GRP5]

O

Alone

O

Friends

O

Family

O

Family and friends

O

Other (Please specify)

b) On this visit, how many people were in your personal group, including yourself?
[1. GRP3]
Number of people
c) On this visit, how many vehicles did you and your personal group use to arrive
at the park? Please write 0 if you did not use any vehicles. [1. GRP4]
Number of vehicles
24. a) Were you and your personal group prepared for the physical conditions that can
be experienced while visiting the San Juan National Historic Site fortifications,
such as long walks, steep ramps, sun, heat, etc? [TOPIC AREA 1 INDIVIDUAL
CHARACTERISTICS]

O

Yes

O

No

b) On this visit, did anyone in your personal group have a physical condition that
made it difficult to access or participate in park activities or services? [1. GRP2]

O

Yes

O

No Î Go to Question 25

c) If YES, what activities or services did the person(s) have difficulty accessing or
participating in during this visit? Please be specific.

15

San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
d) Did any of the following conditions contribute to the access problems? Please
mark ( ) all that apply.

•

O

Hearing (difficulty hearing ranger-led activities, bus drivers, audio-visual
exhibits or programs, or information desk staff, even with hearing aid)

O

Visual (difficulty seeing exhibits, directional signs, or visual aids that are part
of programs, even with prescribed glasses or due to blindness)

O

Mobility (difficulty accessing facilities, services, or programs, even with
walking aid and/or wheelchair)

O

Other (Please specify)

25. For you and your personal group on this visit, please provide the following
information. If you do not know the answer, leave blank. [1. AGE3]

a) Current
age

b) U.S. ZIP code or
name of country
other than U.S.

c & d) Number of visits to San
Juan National Historic Site
(including this visit)
past 12 months
lifetime

Yourself
Member #2
Member #3
Member #4
Member #5
Member #6
Member #7
26. When visiting an area such as San Juan National Historic Site, which languages do
you and most members of your personal group prefer to use for the following? [1.
VARIATION LANG2]
a) Speaking:

O

English

O

Other (Specify)

b) Reading:

O

English

O

Other (Specify)

c) In your opinion, what services in the park need to be provided in languages other
than English and Spanish? Please specify a service(s) or mark ( ) “None.”

•

Service(s)

O

None

16
San Juan National Historic Site Visitor Study
27. a) On this visit, what did you and your personal group like most about your visit to
San Juan National Historic Site? [6.EVALSERV25]

b) On this visit, what did you and your personal group like least about your visit to
San Juan National Historic Site? [6. EVALSERV24]

28. If you were a manager planning for the future of San Juan National Historic Site,
what would you and your personal group propose? [6. OPNMGMT6]

29. Is there anything else you and your personal group would like to tell us about your
visit to San Juan National Historic Site? [6. OPNMGMT7]

30. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the facilities, services, and recreational
opportunities provided to you and your personal group at San Juan National
Historic Site during this visit? Please mark ( ) one. [6. EVALSERV1]

•

Very poor

O

Poor

O

Average

O

Good

O

Very good

O

Thank you for your help! Please seal the questionnaire with the stickers provided and
drop it in any U.S. mailbox.
Printed on recycled paper

Visitor Services Project
Park Studies Unit
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
P.O. Box 441139
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1139

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Visitor Services Project — (Park name)
Introductory script used in contacting visitors:
Hello! The National Park Service is conducting a visitor survey at (Park name) National
Park to gather your opinions about the park’s programs and services. Participation is
voluntary. If you decide to participate we would like to have the survey mailed back. The
mail-back questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete during or after your visit.
Would you like to participate?

IF NO: Thank you. IF YES: Thank you. I have a few quick questions for you. Who in
your group (at least 16 years old) has the next birthday?
Questions 1-4: Topic area 2⎯Trip/visit characteristics
Question 5: Topic area 1⎯Individual Characteristics
1) What type of group are you traveling with today?
2) (If with an organized group-tours, school, etc.) How many people are in your
group?
3) How many adults, 18 years and older, are in your personal group?
4) How many children, 17 years and younger, are in your personal group?
5) How old is the person who will complete the questionnaire?
So we can thank you and remind you to mail back the questionnaire, please write your
name, address, and email address/phone number. Thank you. Be sure to mail the
questionnaire—your opinions are important!
Training for interviewers: each interviewer receives 1-1/2 hours of training on how to
conduct interviews. This training goes over every aspect of interviewing, including
conducting the interviews using a sampling interval, avoiding sampling bias, and how to
handle all types of interviewing situations, including safety of the visitor and the
interviewer. Quality control is ensured by monitoring interviewers in the field, and by
checking their paperwork at the end of each day of surveying.

1st follow-up printed on a scenic park postcard (sent to all participants 11 working days
after completion of survey)
Dear Visitor:
Thank you for participating in the (Park name)
National Park visitor study. We look forward to
hearing from you.
A select number of people were contacted for
this study, so your opinions are very important!
If you have already returned your questionnaire,
thank you. If not, please mail it today.
After eight months, look for the survey results at:
www.psu.uidaho.edu/vsp.reports.htm.
(Insert electronic signature)
First, MI, Last, Superintendent
(Park name)

2nd follow-up note and letter with replacement questionnaire (sent to non-respondents
21 working days after completion of survey)

United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Park Name
P.O. Box
City, ST Zip Code
IN REPLY REFER TO:

Month, Day, 2009 or 2010
Dear Visitor:
The National Park Service would like to thank you for participating in the (Park name)
National Park visitor study. Only a select number of visitors were contacted, therefore
each visitor's opinions are very important.
If you have already returned your questionnaire, thank you. If you have not returned
your questionnaire, please mail it today. Unless your questionnaire was mailed in the
last few days, we would appreciate you completing the enclosed replacement
questionnaire since we have not received yours as of today.
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 Margaret
Littlejohn, National Park Service Visitor Services Project Director by phone 208-8857863 or email: [email protected].
Thank you for sharing your opinions with us.
Sincerely,
(Insert electronic signature)
First, MI. Last, Superintendent
Park name

3rd follow-up letter with replacement questionnaire (sent to non-respondents 35 working
days after completion of survey)

United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

IN REPLY REFER TO:

Visitor Services Project
PSU, College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
P.O. Box 441139
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1139

Month Day, 2009 or 2010

I am writing about the visitor study at (Park name) National Park, in which you agreed to
participate. The waiting period for incoming questionnaires is almost over and we have
not yet received yours. I would appreciate you completing another one unless you
mailed it within the past few days.
The staff of (Park name) National Park is anxiously awaiting the survey results. They
want to use your ideas and opinions in making decisions about what services and
programs to provide for visitors in the future.
I urge you to complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it by (Month Day). 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.
Should you have questions regarding your questionnaire, please contact me by phone:
(208)-885-7863 or email: [email protected].
Sincerely,

Margaret Littlejohn
Director, Visitor Services Project