BREAK A SWEAT ON THE TRAIL, NOT WITH THIS SURVEY. A competitor at the 2023 Red Flint Firecracker mountain bike race on the trails at Lowes Creek County Park. (Photo by Scotify Studios)

Eau Claire is already a haven for lovers of the outdoors. The data collected through a new survey could make it even better.

That’s the goal of the recently launched Eau Claire Outdoor Recreation Survey, said Kennedy Domerchie, outdoors development manager for Visit Eau Claire. The online survey, which takes about 5 minutes to complete, can be filled out now through Aug. 25.

Domerchie said it’s intended for “anyone who recreates outdoors in Eau Claire or surrounding areas,” whether they live around here or not.

“If someone uses any of the city’s paved trails or other trail systems in the area, even better!” she added. “Cyclists, hikers, runners, dog walkers, ATVers and snowmobilers, cross country skiers, you name it, we value their input. We’re also hoping to learn how our free, outdoor public art, namely the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour and the numerous murals throughout the city, impact spending as well.”

A separate but related survey is directed just at trail users. The trail use survey can be found right here, although if you are on the trails at Lowes Creek or elsewhere, you may see a sign with a QR code linking to it as well.

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The data will be used to highlight the community benefit of our trails and free public art, helping secure more funding for outdoor infrastructure development and guide future improvements and expansions of our trail systems.

KENNEDY DOMERCHIE

VISIT EAU CLAIRE

Outdoor recreation is estimated to contributed $9.8 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product, but Visit Eau Claire would like to know how much of that is generated in our neck of the woods – literally and figuratively. In collaboration with the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation, the City of Eau Claire, and The Harbinger Consultancy, Visit Eau Claire is learning how to calculate such local figures.

“The data will be used to highlight the community benefit of our trails and free public art, helping secure more funding for outdoor infrastructure development and guide future improvements and expansions of our trail systems,” she said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to share their trail use and spending habits,” she added, “allowing us to continue developing outdoor opportunities that cater to our community’s desires and needs.”

To respond to the Visit Eau Claire Outdoor Recreation Survey, just follow this link.