Visitor Satisfaction and Visitor Understanding of the Significance of Acadia National Park: Meeting the Requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act

Jacobi, Charles

A description of visitor satisfaction and visitor understanding of the significance of Acadia National Park. The Abstract: "In 1998, the National Park Service measured visitor satisfaction and visitor understanding of the significance of the park they were visiting through a brief visitor survey. Acadia National Park participated in this survey, which was intended to meet the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). "The University of Idaho Cooperative Park Studies Unit presented the results of visitor evaluations of park facilities, services, and recreation opportunities (GPRA goal Hal) at Acadia in a brief report. Ninety-five percent of visitors were satisfied with the overall quality of visitor facilities, services, and recreation opportunities at Acadia, well above the GPRA servicewide goal of 80% by 2002. Answers to questions about the quality of specific facilities or services, such as campgrounds, restrooms, the park map and commercial services showed there is room for limited improvement. "Visitor responses to the question about the significance of Acadia National Park (GPRA goal IIbl) were compared to significance statements identified in the park's GPRA plan. According to servicewide standards for evaluating answers to this question (visitor identification of at least one park significance item), 82.7% of Acadia visitors understand something about the significance of Acadia. This is again well above the servicewide standards of 60% by 2002. Two thirds of visitors knew Acadia was significant for its scenery and nearly one-third knew it was significant for its recreation opportunities. Very few mentioned the park's cultural or natural resources. Visitor comments were helpful in refining park significance statements for future GPRA visitor surveys. "When given the opportunity to make other comments, visitors mentioned improvements to rest rooms and trail signing, enjoying the Jordan Pond House, and never tiring of Acadia after many park visits. A few wanted bike and canoe rentals or more food service in the park. Six specifically mentioned crowding or congestion as a problem .. "Recommendations emerging from the data include revisions to the park's GPRA goals based on existing levels of satisfaction and understanding of significance, and emphasizing the value of the cultural and biological resources of the park through education." /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /ACADIA NATIONAL PARK/Echo Lake/Ship Harbor/Wonderland/Jordan Pond/Seawall/Blackwoods/Beehive/Bowl/Carriage Roads/Park Loop Road/

Visitor Satisfaction and Visitor Understanding of the Significance of Acadia National Park: Meeting the Requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act

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