DEM Seeking Public Feedback On Outdoor Recreation In RI

Published on Thursday, July 18, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is conducting an online survey and hosting a series of outreach events to gather public input on outdoor recreation opportunities in Rhode Island. Feedback from the survey will be used to inform the Rhode Island Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) to help create improved outdoor opportunities for residents and visitors and prioritize funding for future outdoor recreation projects over the next five years. Participants who submit the survey can choose to be entered in a random drawing to win a free 2025 RI State Beach Parking Pass. 

“Increasing opportunities for Rhode Islanders to get outdoors and enjoy nature is part of DEM’s core mission.” said DEM Director Terry Gray. "Whether you regularly spend time at our network of parks, bike paths, beaches, and playing fields or are seeking to join in outdoor activities, we encourage all residents to participate in this important survey so we can capture as much information as possible to create better outdoor recreation opportunities for all.” 

Available on the RI State Parks website, the SCORP Outdoor Recreation Survey is open to all Rhode Islanders and only takes a few minutes to complete. The survey will be open through Monday, September 30. Along with the survey, the public can stop by tabling events scheduled at popular outdoor places across Rhode Island to share their thoughts and experiences with our state’s outdoor recreation network.

Tabling events will be held as follows:

Wednesday, July 31 
Rain Date: August 13
11 AM – 1 PM
Pulaski State Park and Recreational Area
151 Pulaski Road, Chepachet

Tuesday, August 6 
Rain Date: August 27
11 AM – 1 PM
Scarborough North State Beach
970 Ocean Road, Narragansett

Wednesday, August 7 
Rain Date: August 21
11 AM – 1 PM
Misquamicut State Beach
257 Atlantic Avenue, Westerly

Sunday, August 18
12 PM – 2 PM
Washington County Fair
78 Richmond Townhouse Rd, Richmond

Friday, August 23
Rain Date: August 28
10 AM – 12 PM
Lincoln Woods State Park
2 Manchester Print Works Road, Lincoln

Friday, August 23
Rain Date: August 28
2 PM – 4 PM
Bristol Town Beach
50 Asylum Rd, Bristol 

Informed by public input from Rhode Island's growing and changing population, the SCORP plan outlines the existing status, current needs, and future vision for outdoor recreation and open space protection. The survey is one of the several public outreach components of the SCORP. From July through this fall, future activities will include pop up events at grocery stores and other locations to reach and engage potential audiences that may not be aware of Rhode Island’s outdoor recreation network, as well as listening sessions with stakeholder groups.

Rhode Island is home to a wealth of historic parks, beaches, bikeways, green spaces, and other recreational facilities for public enjoyment – in addition to improving the health of the environment, strengthening the state’s climate resilience, and supporting the economy. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 local jobs. A study conducted by the University of Rhode Island found that State-managed parks and bikeways alone contribute $311 million to the economy annually and support over 3,700 jobs and nine million visits. 

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM, Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) or Twitter/X (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.