Winnebago County Economic Impact Studies, Phases I - III · WINNEBAGO COUNTY ECONOMIC IMPACT...
Transcript of Winnebago County Economic Impact Studies, Phases I - III · WINNEBAGO COUNTY ECONOMIC IMPACT...
Winnebago CountyEconomic Impact Studies, Phases I - III
Report of Findings 2015 - 2019
WINNEBAGO COUNTY
ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES PHASES I - III
Report of Findings
Prepared by the
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission Trish Nau, Principal Recreation Planner
December 2015 - April 2019
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The preparation of the Winnebago County Economic Impact Studies – Parks, Trails, and
Sunnyview Expo Report of Findings was formulated by the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning
Commission with assistance from the Winnebago County Parks Department.
PICTURE YOURSELF IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY PARKS!
PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE The committee is composed of five members and meets approximately once a month. The committee works on the planning and development of park improvements and policies with the Parks Director.
PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE
Jerold Finch, Chair Thomas J. Konetzke (Vice-Chair)
Michael Norton (Secretary) Steven Binder
Larry Lautenschlager
STAFF
Rob Way, Director Tom McInnis, Assistant Director Vicky Redlin, Program Manager
OSHKOSH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Wendy K. Hielsberg
Jodi Jensema
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Measuring Impact ................................................................................................................ 1 Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 2 Phase I, Parks and Trails, Survey #1 ........................................................................ 2 Phase II, Community Park, Survey #2 ...................................................................... 2 Phase III, Sunnyview Expo Center, Survey #3 .......................................................... 2 Benefits of Winnebago County Parks and Facilities ............................................................. 2
1. Community Benefits ............................................................................................ 3 2. Individual Health ................................................................................................. 3 3. Economic Benefits .............................................................................................. 4
Attracts Investment ....................................................................................... 4 4. Attracts Tourism ................................................................................................. 4 5. Increases Property Values .................................................................................. 4 6. Environmental Benefits ....................................................................................... 4
Economic Impact of Winnebago County Parks and Trails, Phase I ...................................... 5 Economic Impact of Winnebago County Community Park, Phase II ..................................... 9 Best Practices for Community Park .......................................................................... 9 Quantifiable Benefits of Community Park ................................................................. 10 Economic Impact of Winnebago County Sunnyview Expo Center, Phase III ........................ 11 Benefits of a County Expo Center ............................................................................. 12 Expo Economic Impact by the Numbers ................................................................... 13 Summary Statistics .............................................................................................................. 16 Parks and Trails ....................................................................................................... 16 Challenges - Lesssons Learned ................................................................................ 16 Future Steps ........................................................................................................................ 17 General Recommendations ...................................................................................... 17 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 18
FIGURES
Figure 1: County Health Ranking Graphs, 2019 ................................................................... 3 Figure 2: Tribal Heritage Trail User Counts by Day and Direction ........................................ 6 Figure 3: Tribal Heritage Trail User Counts byTime and Day ............................................... 7 Figure 4: CTH A Trail Development Option ......................................................................... 7 Figure 5: Specific Counts by Trail........................................................................................ 8 Figure 6: Local Spending During an Expo Event .................................................................. 9 Figure 7: Map of Visitor Spending by County, 2017 ............................................................. 12 Figure 8: Percent of Spending at Expo Events ..................................................................... 14 Figure 9: Dollars Spent at Expo Events ................................................................................ 15
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TABLES
Table 1: County Health Rankings, 2015-2019 Comparsion .................................................. 3 Table 2: Annual Parks Cost per Resident by Year 2010-2040 (2014 expenditures) ............. 5
MAPS
Map 1: Distance from a Recreational Facility ....................................................................... 15
APPENDICES Appendix A: Survey Results & Detailed Analysis, Phase I ................................................... A-1 Appendix B: Survey Results & Detailed Analysis, Phase II .................................................. B-1 Appendix C: Survey Results & Detailed Analysis, Phase III ................................................. C-1
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ABSTRACT
TITLE: Winnebago County Parks Economic Impact Studies, Phases I - III Report of Findings
CONTACT: Trish Nau, ECWRPC Principal Recreation Planner
SUBJECT: Report of the economic impact of park facilities on the county.
DATE: 2015-2019 Final Draft Compilation
PLANNING AGENCY: East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
SOURCE OF COPIES: East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
400 Ahnaip Street, Suite 100
Menasha, WI 54952
(920) 751-4770
www.ecwrpc.org
This report represents the findings from public surveys conducted from 2015 to 2019 to measure economic impact to the area. It seeks to start a series of data collection methods to gauge the importance of events and visitor spending to the local economy. Statistics and information shown here forth depict how important parks, trails, and expo events bring in dollars to local businesses. Visitors and attendees to the area are important to economic development and local tourism. In addition, it sets new recommendations and future actions based on present needs and use.
Winnebago County Parks Department
625 E. County Road Y #500
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 232-1960
http://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/parks
Economic Impact Study - Parks, Trails, and Expo
Report of Findings
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East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 1
Satisfaction
Snap Surveys
Value
Impact
REPORT OF FINDINGS
Phases I, II, & III Summary
Below is a final evaluation of the economic
impact of county facilities over the last 3-4
years. All three studies showed value and
what these facilities brought to the area.
Money funneled in through events and
tourism influenced the user base and the
spending of visitors in Winnebago County.
MEASURING IMPACT1
When looking for a place to recreate, visitors travel because of an attraction or event. There has to be something to draw them to the place or community. Primary attractions vary from place to place and usually offer unique experiences such as sporting events, concerts, festivals, sporting shows, etc. Winnebago County has many events, parks, and facilities that draw visitors and residents alike throughout the year. Unique factors include the geographic proximity of the participating sports teams to the host site, locations of special events, and the number of county attractions to draw the user. The trending of the destination for spectators and participants, the size of the venue, the location of the venue, the location to the business district, and the level of supporting infrastructure in the host community as well as marketing all contribute to the success of the possible economic boost to the county. The shorter the time marketed before an event date, the less opportunity for tourists to plan their trip. The amount of positive or negative media attention, promotional budget, weather, and accessibility also play a factor in the economic impact outcomes.
1 Source and Reference: “Measuring the Economic Impact of Park and Recreation Services”, John L. Crompton,
NRPA Research Series, 2010.
Specific Objectives:
1. Provide basic economic data for Winnebago County over a span of 3-4 years.
2. Summarize the online snap surveys of Visitors to the area showing value.
3. Review some basic
concepts of community economics.
4. Estimate the overall
impact of the visitors to the County Facilities in all three phases.
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METHODOLOGY
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) along with the Winnebago County Parks Staff formalized THREE surveys for each Phase of the Study.
Phase I, Parks and Trails, Survey #1: Current use and the amount of fees paid in as well as health aspects in terms of recreation. The survey was distributed by volunteers from May to September, 2015 at the nature preserves, at specific areas of the Community Park, the Expo Center, and along the recreational trails. Analysis was performed to look at future updates and the amount of revenue taken in.
Phase II, Community Park, Survey #2: Current use and the amount of fees paid in as well as health aspects in terms of recreation solely for Community Park and events held there. The survey was distributed by volunteers from May to September, 2017-2018.
Phase III, Survey #3: Spending at Sunnyview Expo Center Events from March 1, 2018- March 1, 2019. This was a year- long survey to cover all the events offered.
The Oshkosh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (OCVB) assisted with Trail surveys and had volunteers go out once a week for a couple of hours in different locations of the WIOUWASH Trail. There were also members of the Oshkosh Cycling Club who surveyed on the Tribal Heritage Crossing one weekend as well as the Butte des Morts Conservation Club surveying their section of the Wiouwash trail. Surveys were also passed out by the soccer groups the rugby club, BMX club, and the County Clerk’s Office had some on their counter as did the Parks Office. On any designated day there were up to six people surveying at separate locations. Marketing for all Phases were done by posters in all the restrooms with the survey link on them as well as flyers at all kiosks along the Wiouwash and Mascoutin State Trails, and nature areas, the Sunnyview Expo center, and throughout Community Park. The survey was also marketed on KZ radio, in the Val Pak coupon mailers, The Scene, Neenah Neighbors Magazine, and various newsletters. The individual groups were asked to pass them out at soccer tournaments (x2) and rugby tournaments (x2), plus at the BMX state meet. Most formally organized events were located at Community Park or at the Expo.
BENEFITS OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY PARKS AND FACILITIES
Planning for parks is intended to improve the quality of life and provide a sense of place for county residents and visitors. Numerous researchers have attempted and succeeded in a number of cases in presenting scientific evidence that parks and open space have a number of benefits including community benefits, individual benefits, economic benefits, and environmental benefits. Community benefits can be considered those that bring a positive result to a group of people. Individual benefits are the exact opposite providing a direct result to a single person. Economic benefits, for this report, mean effects of park and open space in attracting investment, tourism, and direct positive effects to property values as well as commercial dollars from hotels
Economic Impact Study - Parks, Trails, and Expo
Report of Findings
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East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 3
and restaurants. Finally, environmental benefits are those that show the economic benefits of protecting and enhancing existing natural areas. These benefits are illustrated to show citizens and property developers alike the
direct impact parks and open space have on the community.
Community Benefits (Phase II, Community park)
Families that recreate together report greater stability and satisfaction, the foundation of a stronger society.
Recreation provides a sense of community and an opportunity to interact.
Community recreation reduces alienation, loneliness, and anti-social behavior.
Recreation provides opportunities for community involvement, and shared management and ownership of resources.
Recreation opportunities, facilities and the quality of the local environment are the foundations of community pride.
Increased green space reduces crime rates.
Individual Health (Phases I and II, Parks and Trails)
Contributes to a resident’s overall well-
being and health by providing the
opportunity for recreational activities which
enhances the quality of residents’ lives.
(QOL)
Provide opportunities to experience and observe nature.
Provide opportunities for learning and living a more balanced life.
Provide a place for stress reduction, rest, relaxation, and revitalization through recreation.
According to the new 2019 county health rankings, Winnebago County is in the higher half of
the ranking system at 23 for outcomes and 30 for factors (of 1 being the highest and 72 being
the lowest) according to the UW-Population Health Institute. Calumet County is listed as number
five statewide for healthy outcomes which measures length of life and quality of life along with
health factors and behaviors. Here is a break down in the east central area of the percent
change from
2015 to 2019.
A ranking of
1 is the best
and 72 the
worst.
1
2
Figure 1:
County
Health
Ranking
Graphs
Table 1: County Health Rankings
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Economic Benefits (All Phases)
Attracts Investment
Parks and open space enhances the quality of life that attracts tax-paying businesses and residents to communities. Structures away from a greenspace decrease by $4.20 per foot they are away from a recreational opportunity.2
Small company owners say recreation, parks, and open space are the highest priority in choosing a new location for their business. (Trust for Public Land, Economic Benefits Report, April, 2015)
Attracts Tourism (All Phases)
Winnebago County visitors to summer programs spent on average $150 a day from the recent survey conducted in the summer of 2015.
“According to the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau, travelers spent more than $230 million dollars in Oshkosh and Winnebago County. That is an increase of 5.2% over the past years. In 2014, Winnebago County travelers spending supported over 4800 jobs and over $122 million dollars in wages and salaries.
Travelers spending in Winnebago County generated $29.8 million in taxes for local and state government.
Increases Property Values (Phases I and II)
Winnebago County, property values varied but still showed an increase of value when a house was closer to a trail or park amenity. The average sale price of a house in Winnebago County is $132,500. A house within 200 feet of a park had an increase in Fair Market Value of approximately $10,791 at 201-500 feet, $7,013 at 501 feet, and 1000 feet from a park at $3,235.3
Environmental Benefits (Phases I and II)
Green Space Reduces Flooding
Plants and Trees Enhance Air Quality
Improved Water Quality through Runoff Filtering
Biodiversity and Habitat Protection
2 https://projectevergreen.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/EconomicalBenefitsofGreenSpace.pdf
3 Fair market values calculated from park distance of residential property and joined to Winnebago County parcel
data.
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4
6
4
5
4
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Report of Findings
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East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 5
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY PARKS AND TRAILS (Phase I)
A detailed economic impact study for the county on how the current parks affect the budget as well as an illustration of how taxpayer dollars yielded tangible economic and social benefits was examined to get a clearer picture of the impact parks have. Site placement also determined the fiscal impact. Park and recreation departments frequently are viewed as relatively high-cost centers in annual budgets because operational costs exceed revenues. However, this narrow perspective is incomplete because it fails to recognize that money invested in park and recreation department services does not belong to the county, but rather to its residents. The purpose of an economic impact study is to measure the economic return that residents (rather than the county itself) receive on their investments. (ROI)
In comparing the cost per resident by year, Winnebago is close to the regional average of $12.90, as compared to its surrounding neighbors. Most of the parks budget operating expenses go to staffing, maintenance, and the management of the Expo. The table below takes the tax base, population, and the parks budget into account when determining the cost being spent to accommodate each tax paying resident. Currently, Winnebago County spends $11.90 annually per tax payer, if no change occurs to the existing budget and revenue, the amount of service, in dollars, will continue to decrease. The county is able to maintain many of its facilities with donations, sponsorships, and in-kind labor through volunteers and friends groups as well as a modest budget. If this kind of support diminishes in the future, the parks and services provided may dwindle and negatively impact the economy. The survey analysis gave a more detailed breakdown of expenditures at events and within the county for the summer 2015 season*.
Table 2: Annual Parks Cost per Resident by Year 2010-2040 (2014 expenditures)
County 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040
Brown $11.44 $11.15 $10.48 $9.93 $9.47 $ 9.19 $9.09
Calumet $24.40 $23.75 $21.90 $20.60 $19.51 $ 18.90 $18.61
Outagamie $ 7.87 $ 7.68 $ 7.25 $ 6.93 $6.66 $ 6.51 $6.46
Shawano $11.32 $11.23 $10.89 $10.53 $10.25 $10.20 $10.34
Waupaca $11.91 $11.69 $11.46 $11.11 $10.87 $10.93 $11.22
Winnebago $12.11 $11.90 $11.43 $11.04 $10.72 $10.55 $10.47
Regional
Average $13.18 $12.90 $12.24 $11.69 $11.25 $11.05 $11.03
Source: Annual park expenditures from the 2014 County Budget Reports. (Season is May-September, Memorial Day
to Labor Day)
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Other Trails Statistics Collected
From June 23-24, and 27 2015, ECWRPC placed traffic type counters to get information on pedestrian and bicycle usage for the Tribal Heritage Crossing of the WIOUWASH Trail. Totals just for that Tuesday, June 23, equated to 94 pedestrians and bicyclists 32, a total of 126 users. As the trail grows in popularity, these numbers will most likely increase at peak seasonal times.
Figure 2: Tribal Heritage Trail User Counts by Day and Direction
Figure 6: Tribal Heritage Trail User Counts by Daily Volume and Direction
6.23.2015 06.24.2015 06.27.2015 Tuesday Wednesday Saturday
234 231
407 439 433
Northbound Southbound
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Report of Findings
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East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 7
ECWRPC also placed traffic type counters on the Community Park shared use path and along
CTH Y and CTH A. The daily totals report is shown on the following page.
Figure 3: Tribal Heritage Trail User Counts by Time and Day
Tuesday 6/23/15
Wednesday 6/24/15
Saturday 6/27/15
--------6.23.2015 --------06.24.2015 ----------06.27.2015
--------6.23.2015 --------06.24.2015 ----------06.27.2015
Figure 4: CTH A Trail Development
Tuesday 6/23/15
Wednesday 6/24/15
Saturday 6/27/15
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8 East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Community Park Trail North
Community Park Trail South
Figure 5: Specific Counts by Trail
Data for:
8-29-2015
Saturday to
9-03-2015
Thursday
This was a
rainy week for
weather.
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
s
Wed
s
Thur
s
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Report of Findings
Winnebago County
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 9
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY COMMUNITY PARK (Phase II)
To encourage public involvement in Community Park, an online public opinion survey was
distributed between May – September 2017. In total, 305 started the survey with 131(43%)
individuals who responded to questions through to the end of the survey. Seventy-One percent
(71%) of those who took the survey live in Oshkosh with the remainder from the surrounding
areas of Omro, Menasha, Neenah, and Winneconne.
The survey reflected a diverse group demographically with different age groups, family size, and
interests. To provide analysis, responses were filtered and cross tabbed to give a
representation of visitors to the county park.
The report was divided into four parts: DEMOGRAPHICS, USER FREQUENCY, AMENITIES,
and ECONOMIC FOCUS / IMPACT. It reflects the common ideals sent forth from the public on
usage statistics and for improvements.
User frequency showed the most in the non-snow months of users utilizing the park at least
once per week. The top five amenities:
1. Trails = 38%
2. Dog Park = 34%
3. Picnic Area = 31%
4. Event / Party = 30%
5. Playground = 15%
Economic focus and impact showed there is
some economic value that is being brought
to the area depending on events, trends,
and interests. This is shown through the
visitor’s impact at restaurants and hotel
stays. Whether they were local or out of
town, participants are dining at local
establishments. Approximately 77% of all survey takers are spending money in the area.
From the analysis, we can hypothesize, 72% of Community Park visitors spend between $25-
$50 a day with another 28% spending higher amounts.
Best Practices for Community Park:
Parks come in all shapes and sizes. They can be strictly recreational, used to protect environmental and natural areas, or can simply be passive spaces. They can be located in urban or suburban areas and can be linear greenways, small pocket parks or large community parks. Whatever their constitution, today’s parks need to be versatile and multi-use.
Figure 6: Spending During an Expo Event
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10 East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Successful parks usually have five elements associated with them. These are: engaging, adaptable, authentic, connected, and iconic. They should be designed to provide comfort, convenience and enjoyment, fostering social interactions and physical connectivity. And, that design should create an engaging space that attracts people every day and most hours of the day and should be adaptable to support a variety of programming.
Winnebago County’s Community Park offers these engaging experiences with a plethora of activities and opportunities. From the pathways, dog park, athletic fields, disc golf course, archery range, new fitness area (The Natural Way), nature zones and picnic areas, there are plenty of options for everyone. Given these increasing demands, how can we manage Community Park in a way that meets the public’s expectations?
One idea is to leverage best practices to run the park more soundly. Ultimately, contemporary leadership techniques allow the Parks Department to deliver better park services to the people served.
Three things to consider:
1. Commit to performance management – Follow the mission and provide objectives and strategic direction. Staff needs to be engaged in creating the best park experience possible.
2. Create a culture of innovation – Foster creative thinking for improving the overall quality and produce “excellence” in accountability.
3. Develop a measurement system - Measuring information like your park user fees, maintenance costs per acreage and concession revenues allows you to get a prediction of future costs to be made. Knowing this information creates the image of a credible entity who has full control of your operations and whose budget requests and plans are worthy of consideration. In addition, sharing this information on your website for community members to see further shows accountability and transparency, two important qualities found important today. “What am I getting for my tax dollars?”
Quantifiable Benefits of Community Park:
While the intangible benefits of parks are wonderful for people’s quality of life, there are quantifiable economic benefits in the return on investment and a county’s tax base that urban planners and designers are seeing. As CityLab noted in its “Why We Pay More for Walkable Neighborhoods,” if your home is located within a walkable area and near a park, the value will likely go up by $81.54 per square foot. According to Americans for the Arts’ “Arts & Economic Prosperity III” report, parks that incorporate local heritage and artists attract more tourists, and residents feel a strong connection to that place. So, for every dollar invested, there is generally a $7 return on the investment. This is why we are seeing communities around the county invest in their amenity infrastructure, which, in turn, spurs private investment.
Amenity infrastructure is so critical that it helps potentially undesirable areas transform into hubs of activity and redevelopment. In many cases, the creation of any type of park space on a vacant or under-utilized parcel can lead to new residential, mixed-use or retail area around these parks, all of which increase the quality of life for residents and visitors to that community.
Economic Impact Study - Parks, Trails, and Expo
Report of Findings
Winnebago County
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 11
As cities compete to attract new businesses and residents, parks increasingly have been utilized by business and marketing strategists for towns and cities. Businesses are attracted to amenities and activities often found in the public realm. These businesses realize that many of the professionals they wish to employ are looking for communities that have well-managed and maintained parks and public spaces.
How do communities justify the use and investment in parks, public spaces and the associated programming? They use quantitative elements, such as increased tourism, increased resident and visitor spending, the increase in property values adjacent to parks and public spaces, the increase in jobs to meet tourism demands and the increase in occupancy rates around these parks and public spaces.
So for Community Park, be different, be unique, and attract visitors with confidence. Provide those trend based activities in variety! A wonderful asset to Winnebago County!
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY SUNNYVIEW EXPO CENTER (Phase III)
Festivals and special events serve as important attractors for destinations and provide unique
experiences for visitors. These events also have the capability of providing both tangible and
intangible benefits for communities. Most of the studies dealing with festivals and events have
focused on either understanding attendees' behavior or delineating the economic impacts of
visitation upon communities in which such events are held. However, little research has been
done to examine how different County representatives perceive the socio-economic importance
of such events from visitors' perceptions and the value such events add to the overall economy.
The purpose of Phase III was (1) to delineate users' perception of the socio-economic
impacts on the County of festivals and event tourism, and (2) to compare these results
with those of attendees from various events and subsequent spending habits. The
findings of the study revealed that economic impacts had four domains: Visitor Repetitiveness,
Economic Benefits, Area Costs and Area Purchases. It is perceived that event congestion,
social costs, and the pressure on local services have increased substantially in a variety of
contexts with tourism growth.
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Tourism is an integral part of the Wisconsin economy. It generates millions in tax receipts, and its broad range of employment creation provides jobs that support the state’s economic health. Tourism reached $21.6 billion in 2018. Direct Visitor Spending in Winnebago County according to Travel Wisconsin 2018 data reached $240M in 2017 and increased to $254M in 2018, a 5.67% change. Winnebago County is ranked #11 overall with Milwaukee County as #1 with the most spending.
The powerful impact parks and recreation has on economic activity, when combined with the ability to deliver healthier and happier communities, highlights the fact that these offerings are not merely a “nice-to-have,” luxury government service. Rather, parks and recreation is a critical aspect of what makes a city, town or county a vibrant and prosperous community. Policymakers and elected officials at all levels of government should take notice and support greater and more stable taxpayer funding of parks and recreational activities. 4
A formalized survey on current use and the amount of money spent when at the Sunnyview Expo Center was distributed online via GetFeedback.com for a year from March to March, 2018-19. The survey was marketed through social media, at Expo Center events, and around the area. Analysis was performed to look at future updates and the amount of revenue taken in.
Marketing for the events were done via posters throughout expo building facilities which included a survey link, as well as strategically distributed flyers. The survey was also marketed on radio, in the Parks Newsletter, on the Parks Facebook page and County website page.
BENEFITS OF A COUNTY EXPO CENTER
An Exposition Center brings many economic benefits in attracting investment, tourism, and the direction of funds from hotels and restaurants into the local economy. The Expo acts as a multipurpose facility complex designed to meet the needs of Winnebago County residents as an economic generator and a public resource for the local community through its hosting of the Winnebago County Fair, consumer shows, banquets, receptions, meetings, 4-H events, equestrian events and concert events of both a nonlocal and local nature.
4 https://www.nrpa.org/siteassets/research/economic-impact-toolkit-wi.pdf
Figure 7: Map of 2018 Visitor Spending By County
2017 Legend
2018 Visitor Spending (in millions of dollars)
26-100
101-500
501-1000
1001-1500
1501-2500
< 25
Source: Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism, 2019
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Report of Findings
Winnebago County
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 13
Expo Economic Impact by the Numbers:
The County promoted the survey’s availability through a number of methods, including radio
ads, its website and Facebook page, meeting announcements and monthly newsletter. With
these efforts, a total of 748 individuals completed all of the survey. Some respondents did not
answer all questions with 1,155 participants starting the survey.
Within each open-ended question, multiple responses could be made. The analysis of each
open-ended question consisted of a detailed review and categorization of comments. This
enables the reader to see broad patterns based on the frequency of ‘mentions’ throughout
the survey.
Data generated for all 24 questions is contained on the following pages and consists of a
summary showing the raw data and highlights.
Camping*
44% Tent $65
35% RV $200
Total spent per night: Tent $65 x 329 =
$21,393
RV $200 x 262 =
$52,360 Total $73,753
for this sample
Hotel 45% $ 76-$100
33% $101-$150
Total spent per night: 45% spent between:
$25,581-$34,408
33% spent between:
$24,931-$37,026
Total $71,434
for this sample
EVENT SPENDING: 1. Out of Town
Accommodations = Camping 22%, Hotel 14%
2. Camping 44% Tent, 35% RV
3. Hotel = 45% spent $76-$100/night, 33% $101-$150 per night A total of $37,000 back into the local economy from this sample.
4. Length of visit = Most
stayed for a weekend
57%
5. 62% dined out while
visiting the expo.
6. Most visitors spent $25-
$50 a day on
restaurants.
7. Shopping – most visitors
spent their money on
gas (64%) and groceries,
(30%).
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748 Filled Out
Survey
Visitor Type 95%
Attendee
Lifest Favorite Event 34%
1st
Visit to Expo 33%
Weekend Stay 59%
62% Info from Social Media
Avg. # of Events out
of 10 = 2.65
Visiting County for an Event
68%
Dining Out
62%
$25-$50 a Day
Between $34,782 - $69,564
for a weekend at Restaurants
Gasoline**
64%
$20-$100 a Tank
Between $9,574 - $47,872
Spent at the Pump
Groceries**
30%
$10-$35 a Day
Between $2,244 - $7,854 Spent a day at Grocery Stores
15% 26% 27% 30%
35%
44%
62% 64%
78%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
Pe
rce
nt
of
Par
ticp
ants
Spending at Expo Events 2018-2019
Figure 8: Percent of Spending
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Report of Findings
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East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 15
$7,854.00
$21,393.00
$47,872.00 $52,360.00
$69,564.00 $71,434.00
$-
$10,000.00
$20,000.00
$30,000.00
$40,000.00
$50,000.00
$60,000.00
$70,000.00
$80,000.00
GROCERIES TENT GASOLINE RV DINING HOTEL
Total Dollars $ Spent at Expo Events 2018-2019
Figure 9: Dollars Spent at Expo Events
The charts above show the percentage of each type of expense as well as totals for this
sample. Approximately $270,477.00 went into the local economy over the 12 month period
as a result of events at the Expo from this sample.
Visitors to the Expo came from all over the
state as well as some out of state guests.
Phase III completes a year-long study of
the impact the Sunnyview Exposition
Center has on the local economy. With all
the events and visitors, it definitely is a
valuable asset to the county’s overall
economic growth.
The county has done a good job of
providing a variety of facility events as well
as opportunities that appeal to different
age groups. This report is just one step in
determining how much the Expo
contributes to the county’s local economy.
To continue this approach, it is
recommended that Winnebago County use
these types of “snap surveys” every year
over the next five years to determine
trends and patterns of use. Future trends
show more event space and amenities are
needed to continue the growth and
success of the Expo
Economic Impact Study – Parks, Trails, and Expo
Report of Findings
Winnebago County
16 East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
SUMMARY STATISTICS FROM THE SURVEYS
PARKS AND TRAILS
Free outdoor exercise and recreation was very important, 70.63%, with 91.36% being able to exercise at a county park or trail facility;
Demographics showed a high middle-aged female base with 58.56% who were concerned with safety of utilizing the trails/parks;
Amount spent when using a county park/facility – 40% spent more than $100 a month with 67% visiting a county facility
The out of town visitor represented 2.7%, while the Fox Cities came in at 22% vs. the local resident, 66% (Oshkosh);
Visitors who stayed in the area for 3 or more days for an event was 47%;
Attendees represented: spectator (70%), athlete (16.67%), coach (6.67%), and sponsor (6.67% - vendor, media, or umpire);
The nature areas, with random stops along the trails were target points to get users to fill out the survey by volunteers - (Tribal Heritage Crossing, Lasley Point, Mascoutin, Waukau, and WIOUWASH);
16 summer weeks of clement weather with warm temperatures were reported at 96.88% of the time;
Survey responses were leisurely at 81.25%; and most if not all observations were taken in the afternoon.
Challenges – Lessons Learned
Unanticipated delays
Reaching all age groups was difficult
Volunteer accuracy rate to complete office only section of survey
Number of volunteers represented (4-6 / day)
Validity of survey itself, level of accuracy and number of participants that were visitors
Questions responded to by year of birth and zip code were difficult to formulate with crosstabs
Number of overall responses (185) for Phase I, (131) for Phase II
Weather conditions – no control over
Date and time of event(s)
Park renovations - these can have dramatic effects on increasing park use and physical activity level among park users and improve perceptions of park safety as well as reduce event attendance
Variety of time/location, had to go where the people were or rely on web responses
Re-users of the trail who already had completed the survey were noted
Many respondents asked why the survey was being done and some were reluctant to give information (accuracy)
Economic Impact Study - Parks, Trails, and Expo
Report of Findings
Winnebago County
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 17
FUTURE STEPS
In future projects, increasing expo, park, and trail usage by all age groups could be addressed by offering outreach and programming that target specific age groups (such as teens or seniors). The county has done a good job of providing park and facility features as well as opportunities that appeal to different age groups. These phases have shown just how much Winnebago County Parks are contributing to the county’s local economy. To continue this approach, it is recommended that Winnebago County use these types of “snap surveys” every year over the next five years to determine changing trends and patterns of use. Future trends show trail connectivity and expansion as well as more pet friendly areas and concerts at the new stadium at the Expo.
General Recommendations
Prospective surveys should target different audience groups and be condensed into easy, concise questions and answers to chart days of visit, why they are in the county, where do they reside, and how much users are spending, etc. to gain a comparison from the three phases now completed. Possible specific events to target are:
Expo Events
Soccer Tournaments
Sport and Fishing Expo
Lifest
EAA
Fisheries and Jamborees
Nature Areas and Program
Park Events
Oshkosh and Fox Cities Marathons
County Fair
Other trail uses: skiing, snowmobiling, etc.
The county should consider partnering with the OCVB and other entities to conduct these
surveys and collect the data that is needed. This could be a great opportunity for marketing to
hotels, retail establishments, and restaurants with package deals for events held within the
parks department. Justification and marketing should be an ongoing task of every county parks
department as funding resources dwindle over time.
This report concludes the series of surveys and studies that show the economic impact that
parks and recreation facilities have on the county-wide community and what the resident as well
as the visitor values. Future reports should target market conditions with transportation routes,
accessibility as well as attractions attended.
Economic Impact Study – Parks, Trails, and Expo
Report of Findings
Winnebago County
18 East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
CONCLUSIONS
The initial area of focus of the study effort was an analysis of the conditions present in the local
marketplace that could impact the potential success of Winnebago County Parks and Facilities.
Factors included socioeconomic characteristics, accessibility, accommodations, and traditional
visitor amenities (such as attractions, entertainment/leisure options, restaurants, retail, etc.).
Strengths of the local Winnebago County market in relationship to an event destination
include
1. Accessibility via Interstate 41.
2. Close proximity to the Fox Cities market population and corporation base.
3. Unique attraction in the Oshkosh area.
4. Practical driving distance to several large regional metropolitan areas.
5. Quantity, variety, and location of accommodations within the County.
Some of Winnebago County’s weaknesses as they relate to functioning as an event
destination include:
1. Limitations in existing hotel inventory in terms of mix of properties, size of largest property,
hotels within walking distance of event facilities—may constrain the size of certain non-local
event activity that could be attracted.
2. Number of camping units and those who stay at the destination
3. Local residents vs. out of town visitors.
4. Some negative or neutral perceptions of select event planners regarding the appeal of the
area for events.
5. While the proximity to the Fox Cities market population and a corporate base provides a
substantial foundation from which to draw potential facility event attendees, it also possesses a
significant number of competitive venues as well.
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong),(c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
MAP 1DISTANCE FROM A
RECREATIONAL FACILITYWinnebago County, Wisconsin
!. Eureka
!
y Other Boat Launches
!5 Unincorporated AreasOther TrailsCounty Maintained State TrailsStreamsOpen WaterOther Recreational AreasCounty Owned/Maintained FacilitiesParcels 200ft From a Park/TrailParcels 500ft From a Park/TrailParcels 1000ft From a Park/TrailCitiesVillages
E0 52.5
Miles
This data was created for use by the East Central Wisconsin RegionalPlanning Commission Geographic Information System. Any other use/applicationof this information is the responsibility of the user and such use/applicationis at their own risk. East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commissiondisclaims all liability regarding fitness of the information for any use other thanfor East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission business.
Prepared July 2019 ByEAST CENTRAL WISCONSIN
REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Sources: Base Data Winnebago County GIS (WINGS) 2019, BoatLaunch Data provided by WI DNR and ECWRPC.
y County Launches
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
Phase I: Parks and Trails Survey Results
1
Appendix A
Winnebago County Parks & Recreation Economic Impact Survey 2015 SURVEY RESULTS & ANALYSIS Summary
Total Started Survey: 185 Total Finished Survey: 175 (94.5%) completion rate May-September, 2015 Parks & Recreation Facilities maintained by the County are the following:
Asylum Point Park and Boat Landing Black Wolf Boat Landing Boom Bay Boat Landing Community Park Coughlin Nature Area Eureka Boat Landing Grundman Boat Landing Butte des Morts Boat Landing Lasley Point Archeological Site Mauscoutin Valley State Trail Poygan Boat Landing Shangri La Point Nature Area Sunnyview Exposition Center Waukau Creek Nature Preserve Waukau Dam WIOUWASH State Trail
Assistance provided by the East Central
Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
2
3
Winnebago County – Survey Analysis BY THE NUMBERS:
A. DEMOGRAPHICS
1. Age Group: 46-60 was the largest
age group who participated in the
survey at 34.86%.
Under 21 21-30 31-45 46-60
60-75 75+
2. Are you Male or Female?
41.44% Male, 58.56% Female
3. Average
Household Income:
Over $76,000 was
the common
answer.
4
4. Survey participants Locations:
66.30% came right from the Oshkosh area with 22.28% from the Fox Cities. The events drew
some out of state guests at 2.72%. There were 50 survey takers from outside the Oshkosh area
that can be classified as visitors to the area.
5. Area Accommodations:
Most participants were from the area and didn’t stay somewhere other than home. (89.74%)
5
B. ECONOMICS & USAGE
1. When asked how important the
ability was to exercise and have free
outdoor recreation:
70.63% said it was very important to the
local economy, community and or
business/profession to have these types of
benefits.
2. Importance To Local Economy
Of the visitors to the county parks/facilities,
over 50% (58.97%) thought that the local
economy and the community in general
benefited directly from tourism.
3. Importance of being able to exercise
outdoors at a county park/facility:
An overwhelming 91.36% said it was very
important to them to be able to recreate
outdoors.
6
4. Importance of County Facility –
Main reason for visiting Winnebago
County was mixed:
Only 42.77% said it was the main reason
for visiting and 57.23% said no, it wasn’t
their main reason for visiting the County.
Most people who used the park or facility
where not here to attend a specific event,
83.46%.
Importance of using a Winnebago County
Park/Facility for Outdoor Exercise = 60.26%
7
5. Frequency of Use vs. Amount Spent when visiting a Winnebago County Park or Facility:
Of the 20 who answered: 40% said they spent more than $100 in a month on outdoor recreation
and 66.67% said they had visited a county facility.
6. Visitors who went to a County
Park or Facility greater than four
times per week and amount they
spent per month:
$26-$50 a month spent
was the highest answer at
38.71% of the 31
participants who visited a
county facility or park.
8
7. Importance of Free recreation vs. those who own a Gym Membership in promoting a healthy
lifestyle: 95.11% said having free recreation is important with 41.76% owning a gym membership
8. Frequency of use of a
county park/facility vs. another
facility:
Users who stated they used the
facility 0-1 times per week was
the highest response with 2-3
times per week being the next
highest user rate.
Both other facilities and county
facilities got a split response for
6 or more times per week from
participants.
Most Paid = $300/Mo. Least Paid = $10/Mo.
9
C. SPECIAL EVENT:
1. Of the Attendees of an event:
70% were at the facility as
spectators.
Only 16.67% were athletes with
about 7% as an exhibitor or
sponsor.
Average $ Spent:
a) Spectators = $150 x 70% =
$105 / day
b) Athletes = $100 x 16.67% =
$16.67 / day
c) Exhibitor = $200 x 6.67% =
$13.34 / day
e) Sponsors = $100 x 6.67% = $6.67 / day
2. Overall Days and Nights spent in the area:
Common answer was 1 day just for the event and of those who stayed the night 47% said 3 or more
days/nights.
10
3. Where?
Most participants said they stayed with either
friends or relatives, (63.64%) with only 18%
for either a hotel/motel or campground. $0-
$100 was the popular answer on the amount
spent.
4.. Extra Time Spent?
Most participants stayed just the day for the
event and were split in their answers as to
coming to the Winnebago County Area. When
looking at those who stayed 1-2 days extra
30% answered yes. The facility caused them
to extend their stay or to not come to
Winnebago County at all.
Days vs. Nights for an Event
1 day = 43.33%
3 or more nights = 47.37%
Approximately 44% stated that the
county park/facility was very
important on their trip to visit the
county with 1-3 people in their
party, 48.28%.
11
5. Average Money Spent:
Average amount spent for all event
participants attended was up to $100.
65.52%.
Total Number of Visitors from out of Town =
50
Average size of Immediate Group = 4
Average Expenditures per respondent’s
immediate group = $201-300
Total expenditures by out-of-town guests =
50/4 x $250 = $3,125 for all events
6. When participants were asked - Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns?
34 noted trails – easier connectivity, signs, maps, paved trails and great quality
7 noted to have more pet friendly areas and parks, another dog park would be beneficial
3 mentioned the Sunnyview Expo Center – upkeep of barn areas, lower prices
2 said the parks/facilities need more garbage receptacles
8 other responses included:
o More trees in the Parks
o Other County Parks are better than Winnebago’s, add access from Neenah on CTH A to
Community Park
o Free parks and places to recreate are important.
o Great parks and facilities
o Fantastic place to bring the entire family
o Community Park has lots of room and should be gradually improved upon.
APPENDIX B
Phase II: Community Park Survey Results
Phase II:
Winnebago
County
Community
Park
2017 Survey
Results 501 E County Road Y, Oshkosh, WI
Economic Parks Impact Study
Phase II
September, 2017
Survey created by the
Winnebago County Parks and
Recreation Department and
ECWRPC
Appendix B
12 Economic Impact of Community Park, Winnebago County
Background and Foreword
To encourage public involvement in Community Park, the County
worked with the East Central Wisconsin Planning Commission
(ECWRPC), and created this online public opinion survey. The survey
was available May – September 2017. The purpose was to gather
information about the usage of the park and the amount of visitors. An
economic component was factored in to see how the park impacts
the area. This report analyzes how Community Park provides value to
the County and the surrounding area.
In total, 305 started the survey with 131(43%) individuals who responded
to questions through to the end of the survey. Seventy-One percent
(71%) of those who took the survey live in Oshkosh with the remainder
from the surrounding area, Omro, Menasha, Neenah, and
Winneconne.
The survey reflects a diverse group demographically with different age
groups, family size, and interests. To provide analysis, responses were
filtered and cross tabbed to give a representation of visitors to the
county park.
The report is divided into four parts: DEMOGRAPHICS, USER FREQUENCY,
AMENITIES, and ECONOMIC FOCUS / IMPACT. It reflects the common
ideals sent forth from the public on usage statistics and for
improvements. A Best Practices and a Quantifiable Benefits section
are also included within this report for future guidance. A full summary
of all questions can be found here:
https://www.getfeedback.com/s/t7DQC7Ib
13 Economic Impact of Community Park, Winnebago County
Demographics
Survey Participant Distribution:
Most respondents were located within
Oshkosh (186) 83% and (9) from the
surrounding areas like Neenah, Menasha,
Omro, and Winneconne, with visitors as far
as Waukesha to use the facilities. These were
grouped by zip code and 92% were local to
the area within driving distance.
Age / Gender The 46-60 age group was the largest of the survey takers at 38% with 70% being female
versus 30% being male. This is reflective of families with small children utilizing the park.
14 Economic Impact of Community Park, Winnebago County
User Amount and Frequency
The amount of use a park gets is
directly related to the right facilities
and the type of facilities available.
Community Park is a popular
destination for families but also for
couples and singles of all ages. The
variety of activities offered shows that
the park is very well suited for the
diversity of the community.
For the question of how many times a week users visited the park, participants responded
with a little more than 1 day a week during the summer months. This pattern of use is
seasonal based with a decline in the winter months because of the cold weather.
15 Economic Impact of Community Park, Winnebago County
Amenities Survey takers were asked to select what
activities brought them to the park. The
results showed trails to be very important
at 38%. The breakdown of the top five are
as follows:
1. Trails = 38%
2. Dog Park = 34%
3. Picnic Area = 31%
4. Event / Party = 30%
5. Playground = 15%
When looking at the favorite part of
the park, trails were also rated high
along with nature areas, the dog park,
pond, and picnic areas. These
complement each other with the most
popular activity vs. favorite part of
Community Park. For example, walking
and biking brought the person to the
park and the favorite part was the
trails.
Respondents stated that this was their first
visit and they would return, 49%. Many
visitors were repeat users of the park and
have had many visits. 48%
16 Economic Impact of Community Park, Winnebago County
ECONOMIC FOCUS Participants were asked about cost per night if they
stayed in a hotel room, 77% answered between $50-
$100 a night. Most visitors stayed for a weekend. So if
you look at how many weekends from Memorial Day to
Labor Day, that’s an average of 3 days/2 nights, with 15
weekends throughout the summer months.
This gives a range of money spent totalling $1500 - $3000
put into the hospitality area. If they were visiting from
another area, 37% of participants were also eating at
resturants and spending on average $25-$50 per day for
dining expenses giving a range of $1125 - $2250 per
weekend over the summer.
17 Economic Impact of Community Park, Winnebago County
Impact So what does this tell us about Community Park? There is some
economic value that is being brought to the area depending on
events, trends, and interests. This is shown through the visitor’s impact
at restaurants and hotel stays. Whether they were local or out of town,
participants are dining at local establishments. Approximately 77% of
all survey takers are spending money in the area.
From the analysis, we can hypothesize, 72% of Community Park visitors
spend between $25-$50 a day with another 28% spending higher
amounts.
Common Comments for Improvement More shade trees
More picnic shelters
Open up Swim Area again
Park Benches along the trails
Dog Park cleanliness needs some work
Improve Parking for Soccer Fields
18 Economic Impact of Community Park, Winnebago County
Best Practices Parks come in all shapes and sizes. They can be strictly recreational,
used to protect environmental and natural areas, or can simply be
passive spaces. They can be located in urban or suburban areas and
can be linear greenways, small pocket parks or large community
parks. Whatever their constitution, today’s parks need to be versatile
and multi-use.
Successful parks usually have five elements associated with them. They
are engaging, adaptable, authentic, connected and iconic. They
should be designed to provide comfort, convenience and enjoyment,
fostering social interactions and physical connectivity. And, that design
should create an engaging space that attracts people every day and
most hours of the day and should be adaptable to support a variety of
programming.
Winnebago County’s Community Park offers these engaging
experiences with a plethora of activities and opportunities. From the
pathways, dog park, athletic fields, disc golf course, archery range,
new fitness area, natural zones and picnic areas, there are plenty of
options for everyone. Given these increasing demands, how can we
manage Community Park in a way that meets the public’s
expectations?
One idea is to leverage best practices to run the park more
soundly. Ultimately, contemporary leadership techniques allow us to
deliver better park services to the people served.
Three things to consider:
1. Commit to performance management – Follow your mission
and provide objectives and strategic direction. Staff needs to be
engaged in creating the best park experience possible.
2. Create a culture of innovation – Foster creative thinking for
improving the overall quality and produce “excellence” in
accountability.
3. Develop a measurement system - Measuring information like
your park user fees, maintenance costs per acreage and concession
revenues allows you to predict future costs and financial performance.
And knowing this information enables you to be viewed as a credible
entity who has full control of your operations and whose budget
requests and plans are worthy of consideration. In addition, sharing this
information on your website for community members to see further
shows accountability and transparency, two important qualities found
important today. What am I getting for my tax dollars?
19 Economic Impact of Community Park, Winnebago County
Quantifiable Benefits
While the intangible benefits of parks are wonderful for people’s quality of life, there are
quantifiable economic benefits in the return on investment and a county’s tax base that
urban planners and designers are seeing. As CityLab noted in its “Why We Pay More for
Walkable Neighborhoods,” if your home is located within a walkable area and near a
park, the value will likely go up by $81.54 per square foot. According to Americans for the
Arts’ “Arts & Economic Prosperity III” report, parks that incorporate local heritage and artists
attract more tourists, and residents feel a strong connection to that place. So, for every
dollar invested, there is generally a $7 return on the investment. This is why we are seeing
communities around the county invest in their amenity infrastructure, which, in turn, spurs
private investment.
Amenity infrastructure is so critical that it helps potentially undesirable areas transform into
hubs of activity and redevelopment. In many cases, the creation of any type of park
space on a vacant or under-utilized parcel can lead to new residential, mixed-use or retail
area around these parks, all of which increase the quality of life for residents and visitors to
that community.
As cities compete to attract new businesses and residents, parks increasingly have been
utilized by business and marketing strategists for towns and cities. Businesses are attracted
to amenities and activities often found in the public realm. These businesses realize that
many of the professionals they wish to employ are looking for communities that have well-
managed and maintained parks and public spaces.
How do communities justify the use and investment in parks, public spaces and the
associated programming? They use quantitative elements, such as increased tourism,
increased resident and visitor spending, the increase in property values adjacent to parks
and public spaces, the increase in jobs to meet tourism demands and the increase in
occupancy rates around these parks and public spaces.
So for Community Park, be different, be unique, and attract your visitors with confidence.
Provide those trend based activities in variety! A wonderful asset to Winnebago County!
APPENDIX C
Phase III: Sunnyview Expo Center Survey Results
Economic Impact Study Phase III – Sunnyview Expo Center
Appendix C: Report of Findings
Winnebago County
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE EXPO
BY THE NUMBERS:
1155 Started Survey 748 Completed Surveys Rate = 65%
USER BASE: 1. Visitor Type = 95% Attendee, 2 %
Promotor, 3% Vendor 2. Reason at EXPO? Lifest, County
Fair, Horse Show were the top 3 3. Lifest was the favorite event
attended, 34% 4. Number of events attended in 2018
= 2.65 average 5. 62% received information from
Social Media 6. Those on their first visit who would
return = 33% those who have many visits = 39%
7. Visiting WINNEBAGO COUNTY specifically for an event = 68%
SPENDING: 1. Out of Town Accommodations =
Camping 22%, Hotel 14% 2. Camping 44% Tent, 35% RV 3. Hotel = 45% spent $76-$100/night,
33% $101-$150 per night A total of $37,000 back into the local economy from this sample.
4. Length of visit = Most stayed for a
weekend 57%
5. 62% dined out while visiting the
expo.
6. Most visitors spent $25-$50 a day
on restaurants.
7. Shopping – most visitors spent their
money on gas (64%) and groceries,
(30%).
*Numbers are based on number of survey participants who
completed survey, 748. **Camping fees vary, event
averages, grocery costs and gas per gallon $2.57-$2.80
taken from average cost at time of study.
7
Appendix C
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission C-1
Economic Impact Study Phase III – Sunnyview Expo Center
Appendix C: Report of Findings
Winnebago County
DEMOGRAPHICS:
COMMON COMMENTS:
1. Most Attendees were couples,
61%, with 37% who had 4 or more
adults in their party.
2. Most families groups included 2
children under 18, 25%.
3. Survey participants were primarily
female, 61%.
4. Ages ranged from 14 to 83
5. The map shows a varied
distribution across the state as
well as out of state guests from
this sample.
Lifest is great!
More RV sites with hookups would be nice.
Expo needs some upgrading.
More events and concerts on new stage please!
Great horse shows!
Bring the races back.
The county fair is awesome.
Need showers at restrooms for campers.
More water filling stations.
Economic Impact Study III – Sunnyview Expo Center
Report of Findings
Winnebago County
Economic Impact Study III – Sunnyview Expo Center
Appendix C: Report of Findings
Winnebago County
C-2 East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
EAST CENTRAL WISCONSIN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Martin Farrell, Chair Jeff Nooyen, Vice-Chair
Eric Fowle, Secretary-Treasurer
COMMISSION MEMBERS
CALUMET COUNTY SHAWANO COUNTY Alice Connors Jerry Erdmann, Chair Hope Karth Thomas Kautza Merlin Gentz Chuck Dallas Rick Jaeckels WAUPACA COUNTY FOND DU LAC COUNTY Dick Koeppen Martin Farrell James Nygaard Brenda Schneider Brian Smith Brian Kolstad DuWayne Federwitz Allen Buechel Charles Hornung WAUSHARA COUNTY MENOMINEE COUNTY Donna Kalata Larry Timm Ruth Winter Neal Strehlow Laure Pecore (Jeremy Johnson, Alt.) WINNEBAGO COUNTY James Lowey Mark Harris OUTAGAMIE COUNTY Shiloh Ramos (David Albrecht, Alt.) Thomas Nelson Ernie Bellin (Kara Homan, Alt.) Lori Palmeri Daniel Rettler Ken Robl Timothy Hanna Robert Schmeichel Jeff Nooyen Michael Thomas EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Kevin Sturn Jill Michaelson Ronald McDonald