Latest Needs Assessment Survey Shows Walking, Hiking, and Biking Trails Remain Most Important Amenities to Community

Community special events remain most important programs to provide

Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation today released its 2024 Needs Assessment Survey results. The survey showed that walking, hiking, and biking trails ranked as the top priority, when factoring in overall resident need for a particular park type, park amenity, or facility, with the importance they placed on said things. In addition, community special events ranked as top priority when factoring in overall resident need for a program, with the importance they placed on said programs. The survey, which is conducted every five years, assesses resident usage and demand for parks facilities, amenities, and programs. 

“The feedback we receive through this survey is invaluable as it lets us know what the Prince William community values the most when it comes to parks and recreation services and where we can invest to improve,” said Seth Hendler-Voss, Director, Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation. “I’m happy to note the Board of County Supervisors’ recent investments in special events, park and trail maintenance, and historic preservation, match up well with the community’s top priorities.  We’re on the right track and want the community to know that their voice matters.”

Second to walking, hiking, and biking trails, were parks restrooms, followed by botanical gardens, natural wildlife habitats, and museums rounding out the top five community priorities.

For programs, behind community special events came adult fitness and wellness programs, followed by history programs, active older adult programs and nature programs making up the top five community priorities.

Other findings from the survey include:

* 81% of respondents stated that fixing existing parks and facilities was “very important” to “essential,” versus 56% who selected expanding existing parks and facilities; and 52% who stated building new parks and facilities were very important to essential.

* 30% of residents report traveling outside of Prince William County to have their recreation needs met, primarily for hiking, pools, and better playgrounds (based on those who reported the reason).

The 2024 Needs Assessment Survey was implemented by Polco/National Research Center on behalf of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The survey results are used to guide future funding and prioritization decisions in the county’s park system to meet both current future community needs. 

For more information, view the full report and summary.