Chapter 5 - Outdoor Recreation Demand and Need 

5—1 

conducts periodic surveys of resident and 

tourist participation in outdoor recreation activities. The Florida Statewide Outdoor Recreation Participation Study was completed 

by the University of Florida, Department of 

Recreation, Parks and Tourism in 2002. To 

obtain the resident data, random telephone 

surveys of 3,610 residents were conducted 

regarding their participation in 29 different 

outdoor recreation activities. Participants 

were asked to identify each activity they participated in during the preceding 12 months. 

The tourist participation data was obtained in 

cooperation with VISIT FLORIDA from mailout surveys completed by permanent United 

States residents who had visited Florida during the prior 12 months. As in the resident 

participation survey, participants were asked 

to identify the activities they participated in 

during their most recent trip to Florida. A 

total sample of 2,659 visitors was collected. 

The methodologies used to conduct the resident and tourist surveys are described in 

Appendix F. 

Based on the results of the surveys, the percentages of Florida residents and tourists 

There is no consensus in the field of recreation planning as to the most appropriate 

methods for measuring current and future 

demand for outdoor recreation resources 

and facilities. Since outdoor recreation resources and facilities are generally felt to be 

“free” goods and services, “demand,” as an 

economic concept, does not lend itself to 

practical application. No commonly accepted methods exist for determining, on a 

statewide or broad regional basis, the 

amount of outdoor recreation a person 

would “consume” under certain conditions of 

cost and availability. As a result, the use of 

the term “demand” is common as a means 

of expressing the actual participation in recreation activity by some defined group or 

population over a fixed period of time. Such 

measurements can provide reasonably 

sound estimates of recreation demand and 

are vital to long-range statewide outdoor recreation planning. 

Outdoor Recreation Demand 

To estimate outdoor recreation demand in 

Florida, the Division of Recreation and Parks 

Emerging Activities 

Adventure Racing 

Also known as Eco-Challenge, adventure racing is a 

resource-based competitive race utilizing a wide range 

of disciplines. Usually a race includes a combination of 

two or more outdoor based activities such as trail running, orienteering, paddling, biking, climbing and other 

rope elements. Races are offered in a variety of formats and lengths. Two to four person teams 

can compete in coed and single sex teams. The lengths of races vary from a couple of hours to 

a few days. Races also include checkpoints and occasionally include puzzles and brain teasers 

to solve for bonus points during the race. 
5—2 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

 

Table 5.1 

Statewide Resident and Tourist Participation, 2007 

 

 Residents Tourists 

 Resource-Based 

Percent 

of Residents 

Participating 1 

Number of 

Participants 2 

Percent 

of Tourists 

Participating 1 

Number of 

Participants 2 

 Saltwater Beach Activities 57.2 11,277,724 54.4 46,285,304 

 Visiting Archaeological and Historic 48.7 9,101,667 21.6 20,433,540 

Sites 

 Picnicking 44.3 8,248,470 13.0 11,920,746 

 Bicycle Riding - Paved Trails 43.5 8,927,743 8.0 6,612,431 

 Nature Study 37.1 7,286,902 21.6 20,173,810 

 Freshwater Beach Activities 26.8 4,316,737 7.1 5,823,381 

 Saltwater Boat Fishing 25.7 5,193,711 7.3 4,545,695 

 Hiking 22.6 3,968,756 5.0 4,654,262 

 Bicycle Riding - Unpaved Trails 21.4 3,965,018 1.0 1,072,568 

 Freshwater Boat Fishing 21.4 2,983,859 1.0 866,580 

 Saltwater Non-Boat Fishing 20.6 4,249,090 3.8 2,981,088 

 Freshwater Boat Ramp Use 20.1 2,787,543 1.0 999,842 

 Freshwater Non-Boat Fishing 20.0 3,048,681 0.7 915,182 

 Saltwater Boat Ramp Use 18.1 3,492,812 1.2 1,419,774 

 Tent Camping 15.9 2,877,159 1.2 653,236 

 Off Highway Vehicles 15.9 2,531,871 1.0 762,192 

 Canoeing and Kayaking 14.2 2,647,260 1.2 973,511 

 Hunting 11.5 1,534,565 0.4 114,565 

 RV/Trailer Camping 9.6 1,587,936 2.5 2,687,683 

 Horseback Riding 9.1 1,476,428 0.4 547,535 

 

 User-Oriented 

 Outdoor Swimming Pool Use 50.7 10,151,384 56.8 47,257,791 

 Baseball or Softball 20.1 3,677,399 3.5 3,119,266 

 Golf 19.3 3,850,919 9.6 8,804,329 

 Outdoor Basketball 16.9 3,422,509 2.6 999,532 

 Football 13.4 2,527,850 1.6 879,240 

 Outdoor Tennis 11.0 2,424,225 2.3 2,559,688 

 Soccer or Rugby 7.7 1,519,705 0.3 272,905 

 Outdoor Handball/Racquetball 4.8 989,628 0.3 264,000 

 Outdoor Shuffleboard 3.3 640,297 2.9 2,650,806 

 

 1

 Percentage rates are based on the statewide resident and tourist samples. 

 2

 Statewide totals are calculated by adding regional resident and tourist participants. 
5—3 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

who participated in each of the activities 

were calculated. The percentages indicate 

the number of residents and tourists in each 

region who actually took part in an activity at 

least one time during the preceding year. By 

applying these percentages to estimates of 

resident and tourist populations for 2007, the 

number of people who participated in each 

activity was calculated for the state as a 

whole and for each planning region. These 

methods were repeated using resident and 

tourist population projections for 2010, 2015 

and 2020. Table 5.1 shows the statewide 

recreation participation by residents and visitors for 2007. 

Saltwater beach activities remain the one 

activity in which the largest percentage of 

residents participated. Swimming in outdoor 

pools, visiting archaeological and historical 

sites, picnicking, bicycle riding on paved 

trails and nature study had the next highest 

percentages of participation. Approximately 

one-quarter of the residents participated in 

freshwater beach activities, hiking and saltwater and freshwater fishing. Resident participation rates for other activities ranged 

from 20.7 percent for saltwater shoreline 

fishing to 3.4 percent for outdoor shuffleboard. 

Among tourists, swimming in outdoor pools 

had the highest level of participation at 56.8 

percent. This was followed closely by saltwater beach activities at 54.4 percent. Visiting archaeological and historic sites, nature 

study, picnicking, bicycle riding on paved 

trails and golfing had the next highest levels 

of participation. Participation rates for the 

other activities ranged from 7.1 percent for 

freshwater beach use to 0.3 percent for soccer and rugby. 

Table 5.5 through Table 5.33 depict the 

number of residents and tourists within the 

11 planning regions who participated in each 

activity during 2007. The results are reported separately for water-related activities, 

land-related activities and user-oriented activities. Tables showing the projected future 

participants for the years 2010, 2015 and 

2020 are contained in Appendix J. 

Outdoor Recreation Preferences 

While the percentage of the population that 

participated in an activity provides one 

measure of outdoor recreation demand, a 

fuller picture emerges by examining how often those who participated took part in the 

activity. Survey respondents were asked to 

list the recreation activities they participated 

in most often during the preceding 12 

months. Table 5.2 shows the activities that 

had the most frequent participation by residents and tourists. 

Residents reported frequent participation 

across many activities, but five activities -

saltwater beach activities, outdoor swimming 

pool use, saltwater boat fishing, bicycle riding on paved trails and golf - were participated in the most frequently. Only handball/racquetball and shuffleboard were reported by less than one percent of residents 

as being among their top three. Tourist preferences, on the other hand, were concentrated in a much smaller group of activities. 

Five activities accounted for two-thirds of the 

tourist responses for the activity they participated in most frequently. Saltwater beach 

activities, outdoor swimming pool use and 

golf ranked the highest in frequency of participation among both residents and tourists. 
5—4 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

 Table 5.2 

 Frequency of Participation Among Residents and Tourists 

 

 Percentage of Respondents 

 

Most 

Frequent Activity 

Second Most 

 Frequent Activity 

Third Most 

Frequent Activity 

 Activities Residents Tourists Residents Tourists Residents Tourists 

 Saltwater Beach Activities 14.3 27.2 7.4 15.4 11.2 5.9 

 Outdoor Swimming Pool Use 10.1 26.5 7.5 15.4 5.6 5.6 

 Saltwater Boat Fishing 9.0 1.9 7.7 1.4 5.1 2.0 

 Bicycle Riding - Paved Trails 8.3 0.5 8.3 1.7 7.8 2.0 

 Golf 7.7 3.5 2.9 2.3 1.3 2.1 

 Nature Study 6.5 4.7 5.5 5.5 5.6 6.7 

 Freshwater Boat Fishing 5.1 0.3 7.5 0.2 6.9 0.1 

 Visiting Archaeological and 

Historical Sites 3.5 3.9 2.4 6.5 5.4 5.9 

 Hunting 3.4 0.0 2.4 0.2 2.0 0.0 

 Baseball or Softball 3.1 0.4 2.7 0.6 2.0 0.9 

 Hiking 3.1 0.7 3.8 1.0 5.1 0.9 

 Picnicking 2.7 0.6 2.9 3.5 4.0 3.7 

 Outdoor Basketball 2.3 0.0 2.5 0.8 1.6 0.5 

 Freshwater Non-Boat Fishing 2.2 0.2 5.0 0.1 4.0 0.1 

 Saltwater Non-Boat Fishing 2.2 0.9 4.4 0.8 4.7 0.8 

 Off-Highway Vehicle Riding 2.1 0.1 1.0 0.4 2.7 0.2 

 RV/Trailer Camping 2.0 1.5 2.1 0.2 0.9 0.2 

 Horseback Riding 1.7 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.9 0.0 

 Outdoor Tennis 1.7 0.6 1.5 0.4 2.0 0.9 

 Tent Camping 1.7 0.3 2.3 0.7 2.0 0.1 

 Freshwater Beach Activities 1.4 1.8 3.4 1.4 3.4 1.4 

 Football 1.3 0.2 1.2 0.1 1.8 0.3 

 Soccer or Rugby 1.1 0.2 1.3 0.0 1.1 0.1 

 Bicycle Riding - Unpaved 

Trails 1.0 0.0 4.6 0.2 4.0 0.2 

 Canoeing and Kayaking 0.8 0.0 2.2 0.1 1.8 0.3 

 Freshwater Boat Ramp Use 0.7 0.0 1.0 0.2 1.1 0.1 

 Saltwater Boat Ramp Use 0.5 0.3 0.8 0.2 3.1 0.5 

 Outdoor Handball/ 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.9 0.2 

Racquetball 

 Outdoor Shuffleboard 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.7 

 
5—5 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

level of participation in outdoor recreation. 

Residents cited increased accessibility to 

parks and public lands, more information 

about facilities and more facilities as their 

three top measures to encourage participation. Tourists listed more information about 

facilities, lower or no user fees and increased accessibility to parks and public 

lands as their primary factors. Tables 5.3 

and 5.4 show the responses by residents 

and tourists. 

Measures to Encourage 

Participation 

Another aspect of outdoor recreation demand that was examined in the Florida 

Statewide Outdoor Recreation Participation 

Study was the factors that influence a person’s participation in outdoor recreation activities. The residents and tourists who were 

surveyed were asked to identify measures 

that would encourage them to increase their 

 Table 5.3 

 Measures That Would Encourage Greater Participation by Residents 

 

 Percentage of Respondents 

 Measures Agree Disagree Uncertain No Opinion 

 Increased Accessibility to Parks and Public Lands 68.1 20.8 8.4 2.7 

 More Information About Facilities 66.0 22.7 8.4 2.9 

 More Outdoor Facilities 61.1 23.9 11.2 3.8 

 No Fees Required to Participate 58.0 30.1 8.9 3.0 

 Better Repair of Facilities 57.9 25.4 12.1 4.6 

 Lower Fees Required to Participate 56.6 29.6 10.0 3.8 

 Better Security 53.6 30.4 12.0 4.0 

 More Organized Activities and Programs 49.1 35.8 11.9 3.2 

 

 Table 5.4 

 Measures That Would Encourage Greater Participation by Tourists 

 

 Percentage of Respondents 

 Measures Agree Disagree Uncertain No Opinion 

 More Information About Facilities 62.0 9.7 11.9 16.4 

 Lower Fees Required to Participate 51.1 12.5 19.7 16.8 

 No Fees Required to Participate 51.0 13.0 18.5 17.4 

 Increased Accessibility to Parks and Public Lands 40.7 14.8 23.6 20.8 

 More Outdoor Facilities 37.8 15.8 24.9 21.4 

 Better Security 31.4 18.6 27.2 22.9 

 More Organized Activities and Programs 26.2 26.1 25.7 22.0 

 Better Repair of Facilities 22.7 22.6 28.9 25.8 

 
5—6 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

amount of demand (for example, the open 

waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of 

Mexico and the state’s thousands of lakes 

and rivers). 

Next, each region’s future level of service 

was estimated. “Future level of service” 

represents the amount of outdoor recreation 

resources and facilities that will be available 

to support an activity in a future year, assuming there is no increase in supply from 

the 2007 levels. Each region’s existing supply of resources and facilities was applied to 

projections of resident and tourist participation for 2010, 2015 and 2020. Future levels 

of service decline for each projected year as 

the number of expected participants increases and the amount of resources and 

facilities remains constant. 

Finally, the amount of additional outdoor recreation resources and facilities that will be 

required in the future to maintain current levels of service was estimated. In mathematical terms, the method used to calculate 

these estimates is expressed in Figure 5.1. 

Comparing Demand and Supply 

The resident and tourist demand figures derived from the participation study were compared to the supply data presented in Chapter 4. This produced estimates of the additional outdoor recreation resources and facilities that will be required to maintain current levels of services as resident and tourist 

populations increase in the future. An explanation of the process used to arrive at these 

estimates follows. 

 

First, the level of service that is currently provided by each region’s existing supply of resources and facilities was determined. 

“Level of service” as used in this plan means 

the amount of resources and facilities that 

are available to support an activity, expressed in terms of units of supply per 1,000 

participants. For example, the level of service for hiking trails would be expressed as 

miles of trail per 1,000 participants. Levels 

of service were not calculated for certain outdoor recreation activities, such as saltwater 

and freshwater boating, since the resources 

that support them are so extensive that they 

can accommodate a virtually unlimited 

Figure 5.1 

Method for Calculating Level of Service 

Level of Service = ( ) Participants in the Activity 

1,000 

Resources and Facilities for an Activity
5—7 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Emerging Activities 

Culturally Diverse Activities 

Sports that are common in other cultures are finding their way 

on to Florida sports fields. Sports like cricket and rugby have a 

large following around the world. Cricket is becoming more 

prevalent in some parts of the country and specifically in parts of 

Florida. Multi-purpose fields that support soccer and football 

can be used for this sport. League cricket has become so popular in southeast Florida that Broward County has built a special 

stadium that can host national and international competitions. 

Increased international immigration from the Indian sub-continent and from Caribbean nations where 

cricket is a national past time have fueled the growth of this sport. Rugby has also increased in popularity 

and can be played on multi-purpose fields. The Florida Rugby Union provides league play for several 

youth age groups, colligate groups and adults. As a result of the increasing population and its diversity, 

Floridians are offered a wider choice of recreation activities. 

The results of the assessment are presented 

in Table 5.5 through Table 5.33. As shown 

in the tables, levels of service vary widely 

from region to region, depending on the 

available supply of resources and facilities, 

resident and tourist demand and population. 

To provide a standard by which the regions 

could be compared, the statewide median 

level of service for each activity was calculated. Regions in which the level of service 

falls below the statewide median for an activity are identified in the tables. 

The estimates produced by this analysis are 

only one measure of outdoor recreation resource and facility needs in Florida. They 

represent only that portion of the total need 

that will be generated as a direct result of the 

state’s projected population growth. They 

do not represent the amount of additional 

resources and facilities that will be needed 

to bring regions with the lowest levels of service up to a higher level of service. Neither 

do they represent the conditions that exist in 

counties and cities. Outdoor recreation levels of service vary tremendously from community to community and are determined by 

complex factors that cannot be addressed 

practicably at a statewide level. The estimates are intended to reflect conditions in 

the region as a whole and should not be applied to particular communities. 

Despite these limitations, the estimates presented in the plan are useful for identifying 

regional and statewide patterns of outdoor 

recreation supply and demand and for making reasonably sound estimates of the additional resources and facilities that will be 

needed in the future if Florida is to keep 

pace with its rapid population growth. The 

following section presents the results of the 

plan’s assessment on an activity-by-activity 

basis. 
5—8 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Findings by Activity 

Water-Based Activities 

Saltwater Beach Activities 

Saltwater beach activities continue as the 

most popular form of resource-based recreation in Florida. Overall, 57 percent of residents and 54 percent of tourists participated 

statewide. Residents of the South, Tampa 

Bay and Treasure Coast regions had the 

highest participation rates of all regions. 

Tourist participation rates were highest in 

the West, Southwest and Apalachee regions, where the availability of beach resources is relatively high and tourism is concentrated in coastal communities and resorts. Resident and tourist rates were lowest in the Central region, where traveling 

long distances is necessary to reach any 

beach area, and in the North Central region 

where the availability of sandy beaches is 

low due to the low-energy Gulf coastline. In 

actuality, residents and tourists in these regions would probably participate as frequently as people in other regions if adequate beach resources were available. 

Tremendous regional variations in levels of 

service exist for saltwater beach activities. 

The Apalachee Region, where a relatively 

small population is combined with the highest availability of beaches, stands out as 

having by far the highest level of service of 

any region. In contrast, the North Central 

and Withlacoochee regions where few 

beach resources exist have the lowest levels 

of service. Statewide, more than 139 miles 

of beach will be required by 2020 if current 

levels of service are to be maintained. Unfortunately, providing this amount of additional beach resources will not be possible 

as the amount of remaining undeveloped 

beaches dwindles to zero. Increasing public 

access to the state’s existing saltwater 

beaches will be required to accommodate 

future demands. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 56.8 55.4 46.5 58.8 53.9 61.6 44.0 63.7 58.0 63.3 69.0 57.2

Tourists 78.1 70.8 33.3 62.4 42.6 34.1 25.5 61.2 71.5 58.4 60.1 54.4

Total Participants**

2007 8,306,978 1,417,546 496,537 4,676,837 1,175,907 9,565,430 876,106 7,792,536 6,009,051 5,470,667 11,972,766 56,332,359

2010 8,621,023 1,470,110 513,925 4,858,663 1,224,975 9,939,754 907,985 8,072,173 6,251,275 5,678,822 12,381,294 58,446,689

2015 9,442,505 1,602,801 556,102 5,335,262 1,354,355 10,921,632 992,868 8,806,921 6,885,792 6,226,794 13,454,492 63,985,814

2020 10,337,204 1,744,694 598,596 5,842,023 1,487,347 11,962,762 1,079,961 9,589,612 7,561,998 6,808,145 14,602,336 69,898,013

Levels of Service

(Linear Feet/1,000 Participants)

2007 75 189 2 58 2 29 NA 35 59 39 30 54

2010 73 182 2 56 2 28 NA 34 57 38 29 52

2015 66 167 2 51 2 26 NA 31 52 34 27 48

2020 61 153 2 46 1 23 NA 28 47 31 24 44

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Linear Feet)

2010 23,668 9,928 38 10,488 91 10,971 NA 9,799 14,319 8,115 12,191 114,805

2015 85,578 34,989 130 37,979 331 39,748 NA 35,544 51,827 29,476 44,218 415,571

2020 153,006 61,789 222 67,209 577 70,261 NA 62,970 91,800 52,139 78,473 736,594

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

NA represents resource or facilities that do not exist in the region. 

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Withlacoochee

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Central State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Saltwater Beach Activities

Table 5.5

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020
5—9 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Freshwater Beach Activities 

Freshwater beach activities ranked third in 

statewide resident participation and fourth in 

tourist participation. This activity was considerably more popular among residents 

than visitors, with three times as many residents participating as tourists. Freshwater 

swimming areas are widely distributed in 

Florida and are often more convenient to 

residents than a long drive to a saltwater 

beach. Tourists are more likely to prefer a 

swim in an outdoor swimming pool over a 

visit to a freshwater lake or river. One exception is Florida’s freshwater springs, which 

attract large numbers of residents and tourists alike. The North Central, Northeast, 

Apalachee and Withlacoochee regions had 

the highest resident participation rates in this 

activity. 

The Tampa Bay, Treasure Coast and Central regions had the highest levels of service 

in the state. Some of the state’s highest 

concentrations of freshwater lakes and 

springs are found in these regions. Levels of 

service were lowest in the Northeast and 

South regions, where freshwater swimming 

resources are in relatively short supply. Significant projected needs for freshwater swimming areas exist for all regions in 2020. 

Statewide, nearly 12 miles of additional 

freshwater beach shoreline will be needed to 

maintain current levels of service through 

2020. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 28.9 32.2 32.6 32.5 32.0 26.3 26.2 24.1 18.9 17.3 17.2 26.8

Tourists 8.2 6.3 <0.1 7.9 16.2 7.8 3.9 7.6 5.0 4.7 5.8 7.1

Total Participants**

2007 1,082,379 252,863 161,807 970,302 533,661 2,569,879 286,581 1,433,061 650,007 666,397 1,615,268 10,965,929

2010 1,121,234 261,451 166,830 1,008,696 556,467 2,671,468 296,520 1,480,580 678,620 691,411 1,664,404 11,363,200

2015 1,222,615 281,078 177,637 1,109,536 616,722 2,938,243 323,391 1,605,996 753,655 757,726 1,793,963 12,405,079

2020 1,330,549 300,480 186,843 1,211,301 677,513 3,215,511 349,278 1,734,752 829,515 825,065 1,928,731 13,471,140

Levels of Service

2007 11 28 45 8 16 20 68 88 16 78 9 25

2010 10 27 43 7 15 19 65 85 15 75 8 24

2015 10 25 41 7 14 17 60 79 14 68 8 31

2020 9 23 39 6 12 16 55 73 13 63 7 20

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Linear Feet)

2010 420 238 224 295 358 1,993 671 4,195 456 1,942 424 9,928

2015 1,515 783 707 1,069 1,303 7,227 2,486 15,267 1,654 7,091 1,540 35,964

2020 2,682 1,322 1,119 1,850 2,256 12,667 4,234 26,633 2,864 12,320 2,702 62,605

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

(Linear Feet/1,000 Participants)

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

East Southwest

Central

West Apalachee North Central Tampa Bay

Central

Northeast

Table 5.6

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

Treasure 

Coast

South

Freshwater Beach Activities

W ithlacoochee
5—10 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

The South region had the highest rate of 

resident participation at 40.4 percent. The 

proximity of prime fishing areas in the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Florida Keys 

undoubtedly contribute to the popularity of 

saltwater boating and boat fishing there. 

The Southwest and North Central regions 

also had high resident participation rates at 

29 percent and 27.8 percent, respectively. 

Because the resources involved in this activity are virtually unlimited, levels of service 

and future needs were not calculated. 

Saltwater Boat Fishing 

Florida’s coastline has tremendous potential 

for saltwater boating and boat fishing. 

Nearly 11 million residents and tourists participated in saltwater boat fishing in 2007. It 

is predominantly a resident activity, both 

statewide and in the regions, with nearly 26 

percent of statewide residents, but only 7.3 

percent of visitors participating. A notable 

exception was seen in the Apalachee Region with a 16.7 percent tourist participation 

rate. In this region, high quality saltwater 

fishing areas are easily accessible to visitors 

who trailer their boats from nearby southeastern states. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 27.4 22.9 27.8 23.2 27.1 22.2 14.7 25.2 29.0 26.9 40.4 25.8

Tourists 7.7 16.7 <0.1 3.4 4.4 2.5 2.0 4.7 8.8 4.0 8.3 7.3

Total Participants**

2007 1,013,701 379,729 137,599 557,334 284,783 1,262,090 155,429 1,180,688 1,082,066 793,517 2,979,898 10,937,094

2010 1,050,063 393,524 141,871 579,539 297,668 1,312,947 160,801 1,218,160 1,129,238 823,081 3,064,077 11,334,216

2015 1,144,936 427,608 151,061 637,904 331,866 1,446,780 175,341 1,317,320 1,252,927 901,764 3,286,616 12,375,637

2020 1,245,907 463,482 158,890 695,595 364,886 1,580,637 189,283 1,416,879 1,378,692 979,691 3,513,507 13,444,210

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

2007-2020

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Table 5.7

Demand and Need Summary By Region

Saltwater Boat Fishing

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

Northeast East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central
5—11 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

ing the popularity of saltwater boat fishing 

among tourists in that region. 

Regional levels of service were highest in 

the West and South regions. Many communities in these regions have at least one 

county or city-operated pier or other type of 

shoreline fishing facility. Levels of service 

were lowest in the North Central, Apalachee 

and Withlacoochee regions, where much of 

the coastline is of a shallow, low-energy nature. Seven regions are projected to have 

significant needs for non-boat fishing facilities by 2020. Statewide, more than 21 miles 

of additional shoreline fishing facilities will be 

needed to maintain current levels of service 

by 2020. 

Saltwater Non-Boat Fishing 

More than 450 fishing piers and 60 miles of 

jetties and catwalks offer saltwater fishing 

opportunities to shoreline fishermen along 

Florida’s coastline. Unlike boat fishing, the 

cost of equipment required to participate in 

non-boat fishing is low and affordable to 

most people. The level of experience and 

physical effort required to participate are low 

as well. Statewide, 20.7 percent of residents 

participated, but only 3.8 percent of tourists. 

Resident participation rates were highest in 

the South, Northeast and Treasure Coast 

regions (30.5 percent, 24.3 percent and 21.9 

percent, respectively), where some of the 

most popular and productive fishing piers 

and jetties in the state are located. The Apalachee Region displayed the highest rate of 

tourist participation with 14.6 percent, mirrorPercent of Participation*

Residents 20.9 15.2 16.2 24.3 20.3 21.4 17.3 20.5 21.7 21.9 30.5 20.7

Tourists 6.0 14.6 4.8 3.9 1.5 1.8 <0.1 4.4 5.8 2.7 2.8 3.8

Total Participants**

2007 791,055 309,445 118,256 607,451 179,881 1,064,304 135,255 1,017,314 748,663 603,118 1,728,811 7,053,639

2010 819,473 320,811 122,210 631,619 188,243 1,107,467 139,741 1,049,977 781,610 625,535 1,772,294 7,306,030

2015 893,625 349,221 131,395 695,132 210,480 1,221,133 152,048 1,136,349 868,009 685,271 1,887,766 7,968,202

2020 972,598 379,382 140,159 758,183 231,518 1,333,352 163,176 1,223,592 955,372 743,958 2,001,410 8,635,282

Levels of Service

(Feet of Pier, Jetty, Catwalk/1,000 

Participants)

2007 91 18 11 50 27 47 NA 76 71 49 83 66

2010 88 17 11 48 26 45 NA 74 68 48 81 64

2015 80 16 10 44 23 41 NA 68 61 43 76 59

2020 74 14 9 40 21 38 NA 63 55 40 71 54

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Feet of Pier, Jetty, Catwalk)

2010 2,583 201 43 1,204 227 2,040 NA 2,478 2,331 1,107 3,592 18,211

2015 9,321 703 143 4,368 831 7,412 NA 9,030 8,445 4,058 13,129 65,988

2020 16,498 1,236 238 7,510 1,402 12,716 NA 15,649 14,627 6,956 22,516 114,119

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

NA represents resource or facilities that do not exist in the region. 

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Withlacoochee State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Central

Saltwater Non-Boat Fishing

Table 5.8

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020
5—12 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

The West and Apalachee regions had the 

highest levels of service in the state. Level 

of service was lowest in the Withlacoochee 

Region. The South and Southwest regions 

displayed the largest future requirements for 

additional boat ramp lanes (44 and 40 lanes, 

respectively) by 2020, a reflection of their 

projected rapid population growth. A total of 

271 additional boat ramp lanes will be required across the state by 2020 to maintain 

current levels of service. 

Saltwater Boat Ramp Use 

Recreational boating access to Florida’s 

coastal waters is highly valued by boaters, 

fishermen, hunters and other sportsmen. 

This activity was considerably more popular 

among residents than tourists. Statewide, 

18.2 percent of residents participated in saltwater boat ramp use but, only 1.2 percent of 

tourists. Resident participation was highest 

in the South and North Central regions. The 

highest tourist participation (4.2 percent) 

was in the Apalachee Region, further reflecting the popularity of the region among boaters from other southern states. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 16.0 17.0 22.9 21.1 21.2 15.8 12.9 18.7 15.8 14.5 25.1 18.2

Tourists 1.6 4.2 <0.1 1.1 2.9 1.2 <0.1 1.2 2.3 2.7 2.1 1.2

Total Participants**

2007 310,448 147,810 113,392 388,944 213,774 765,547 100,574 653,497 409,660 465,803 1,403,566 4,401,349

2010 320,852 152,894 116,913 404,603 223,509 796,635 103,910 672,734 428,436 483,203 1,438,622 4,554,032

2015 347,902 164,692 124,486 445,808 249,359 878,515 113,061 723,883 477,697 529,448 1,531,742 4,955,003

2020 375,762 176,508 130,938 485,252 274,197 959,134 121,336 773,147 526,342 575,654 1,623,178 5,342,779

Levels of Service

(Ramp Lanes/1,000 Participants)

2007 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 NA 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3

2010 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 NA 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3

2015 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 NA 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3

2020 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 NA 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Ramp Lanes)

2010 6 2 1 3 1 6 NA 6 6 5 7 44

2015 21 7 3 10 4 23 NA 23 23 17 26 160

2020 37 11 4 17 7 39 NA 39 40 29 44 271

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

NA represents resource or facilities that do not exist in the region. 

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Saltwater Boat Ramp Use

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Table 5.9

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

East South

Central

Northeast Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure Central

Coast

Withlacoochee
5—13 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

found in the Apalachee Region, where visitors from other states can easily trailer their 

boats. 

Among residents, six regions had participation rates exceeding 20 percent. The highest rates were in the Apalachee and North 

Central regions. The large rivers and 

smaller creeks in those parts of the state 

provide convenient fishing opportunities to 

residents throughout the regions. High resident participation rates also occurred in the 

Central region where dozens of large lakes 

and hundreds of smaller ones are widely distributed. Because of the vast supply of open 

water area that is available for freshwater 

boat fishing, levels of service and estimates 

of future needs were not calculated. 

Freshwater Boat Fishing 

Florida is dotted with thousands of lakes and 

rivers that provided freshwater boat fishing 

opportunities for an estimated 4.8 million 

participants in 2007. Even more than saltwater boat fishing, it is almost exclusively a 

resident pastime, with only one percent of 

tourists participating statewide. Significant 

tourist participation rates were found in the 

Northeast and Central regions, where the St. 

Johns River, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Tohopekaliga and many other waters are nationally known for their excellent trophy (10 

pounds or more) largemouth bass fishing 

and major fishing tournaments. Freshwater 

fishing is a major theme of nature-based 

tourism marketing efforts in these regions as 

well. Significant tourist rates were also 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 24.8 36.8 30.1 23.7 22.2 19.1 24.9 15.1 13.0 12.7 6.9 21.5

Tourists <0.1 2.1 <0.1 3.4 1.5 1.4 2.0 1.2 1.2 <0.1 0.3 1.0

Total Participants**

2007 227,812 206,462 149,066 565,354 194,727 918,969 235,194 549,635 283,541 235,398 342,964 4,854,503

2010 234,195 213,102 153,694 587,885 203,799 956,304 243,212 566,011 296,927 243,999 350,959 5,021,579

2015 250,617 227,216 163,650 647,108 227,931 1,054,642 265,010 609,520 332,058 267,125 372,260 5,460,459

2020 265,823 240,263 172,131 705,597 250,722 1,151,378 285,515 651,719 366,167 288,522 392,685 5,880,294

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Freshwater Boat Fishing 

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Table 5.10

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

East 

Central

Central Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

South State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast Withlacoochee
5—14 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

The Central and Southwest regions had the 

highest levels of service compared with the 

other regions. In addition to the high concentrations of freshwater resources in these 

regions, many local governments have constructed piers and catwalks that facilitate this 

activity. Levels of service were lowest in the 

Treasure Coast, South and Northeast regions. A considerable amount of additional 

facilities will be required to maintain current 

levels of service, particularly in the East 

Central region. Statewide, over 12 miles of 

freshwater shoreline fishing facilities will be 

required by 2020 to maintain current service 

levels as population and demand increase. 

Freshwater Non-Boat Fishing 

Freshwater shoreline fishing is a very popular activity and is enjoyed by a wide range of 

people. It is a traditional activity that is common along waterways in rural communities. 

Like its saltwater counterpart, neither elaborate equipment nor special skills are required to enjoy a day of this type of fishing. 

It is also essentially a resident activity, with 

less than one percent of tourists taking part 

statewide. Resident participation rates were 

highest in the Apalachee, Northeast and 

North Central regions, where the Apalachicola, Suwannee and St. Johns Rivers and 

their many tributaries provide ample shoreline and excellent fishing. Among tourists, 

the Apalachee Region showed the highest 

tourist participation rate at 2.1 percent, followed closely by the Central region with 2.0 

percent. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 19.9 29.7 23.4 26.4 19.3 20.7 22.2 16.9 15.5 11.3 8.4 20.1

Tourists 0.5 2.1 <0.1 1.1 1.5 1.2 2.0 1.7 1.5 0.7 0.6 0.7

Total Participants**

2007 237,164 173,142 115,940 469,141 172,458 922,097 214,386 658,273 350,360 258,670 452,545 4,333,723

2010 244,378 178,752 119,540 488,059 180,464 959,726 221,714 678,260 366,801 268,216 463,641 4,482,085

2015 263,031 190,801 127,283 537,851 201,755 1,058,883 241,618 731,299 409,948 293,750 493,140 4,871,872

2020 281,241 202,053 133,880 585,273 221,916 1,155,551 260,411 783,293 451,983 318,229 521,928 5,241,984

Levels of Service

(Feet of Pier, Jetty, Catwalk/1,000 

Participants)

2007 71 60 86 35 77 85 199 79 117 13 34 69

2010 69 58 84 34 74 82 193 76 111 13 33 67

2015 64 55 79 31 66 74 177 71 100 12 31 61

2020 60 51 75 28 60 68 164 66 90 11 29 57

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Feet of Jetty, Pier, Catwalk)

2010 510 337 310 665 619 3,200 1,459 1,569 1,919 388 376 10,410

2015 1,830 1,061 978 2,416 2,266 11,634 5,421 5,734 6,954 1,425 1,376 37,761

2020 3,118 1,737 1,547 4,084 3,826 19,855 9,163 9,816 11,859 2,419 2,352 63,731

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.11

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Freshwater Non-Boat Fishing

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central
5—15 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Freshwater Boat Ramp Use 

Just as for saltwater boat ramps, freshwater 

boat ramps provide vital access to Florida’s 

public waters for millions of boaters who lack 

other means of access. A large disparity 

exists between resident and tourist participation, as is the case for other boating-related 

activities. Resident participation was highest 

in the Apalachee, North Central and Northeast regions (30 percent, 30.8 percent and 

26.1 percent, respectively). The highest 

tourist participation was in the Apalachee 

Region, again, likely due to its proximity to 

visitors trailering their boats from southeastern states. 

Regional levels of service were highest in 

the Central, South and West regions. Levels 

of service were lowest in the Northeast and 

Withlacoochee regions where resident participation rates are some of the highest in the 

state. An additional 434 freshwater boat 

ramp lanes will be needed across the state 

by 2020 to keep pace with future population 

growth and demand. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 20.7 30.0 30.8 26.1 21.2 19.5 24.0 12.6 11.3 11.3 5.9 20.2

Tourists 0.5 4.2 <0.1 2.8 2.9 1.3 2.0 1.2 1.5 0.7 0.3 1.0

Total Participants**

2007 244,283 208,656 152,888 567,365 213,774 907,487 228,258 476,931 284,768 258,670 300,531 4,606,121

2010 251,697 215,621 157,635 590,052 223,509 944,424 236,046 491,305 297,877 268,216 307,636 4,764,859

2015 270,863 231,190 167,846 649,708 249,359 1,041,732 257,213 529,466 332,273 293,750 326,555 5,181,817

2020 289,548 246,283 176,545 708,023 274,197 1,137,097 277,147 566,719 366,154 318,229 344,786 5,581,415

Levels of Service

(Ramp Lanes/ 1,000 Participants)

2007 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.2 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.9 0.3

2010 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.2 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.9 0.3

2015 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.9 0.2

2020 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.2

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Ramp Lanes)

2010 7 7 6 7 8 14 10 3 5 4 3 71

2015 25 23 18 26 28 51 36 11 18 14 12 256

2020 43 38 28 44 47 87 61 19 30 24 21 434

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.12

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Freshwater Boat Ramp Use

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central
5—16 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Canoeing/Kayaking 

Canoeing and kayaking appear to have 

gained in popularity in recent years. The 

requirements of this activity in terms of 

equipment, time and physical ability are 

such that most people can participate, and 

the availability of canoe rentals and outfitting 

services is improving in much of the state. 

Although it had the fewest participants of 

any of the water-related activities (14.2 percent of residents and 1.2 percent of tourists 

participating), its popularity among residents 

is greatest in the West, Tampa Bay, North 

Central and South regions where miles of 

excellent paddling trails exist. Among tourists, participation rates were highest in the 

Apalachee Region, followed by the Withlacoochee and Central regions. These regional participation rates correspond generally with the availability of designated canoe 

trails and commercial canoe rental and outfitting services. 

Better trail mapping and increased public 

awareness efforts regarding canoeing and 

kayaking trails are occurring at all levels of 

supply and by many businesses and user 

groups. Resident and tourist participation in 

this activity can be expected to increase as 

these efforts continue. Due to the virtually 

unlimited canoeing and kayaking resources 

in Florida, levels of service and future needs 

were not calculated. Additional efforts are 

needed to identify suitable trails to support 

the nearly 4.5 million participants projected 

by 2020. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 19.4 14.2 15.4 13.7 13.4 14.7 7.6 16.2 10.7 13.4 15.3 14.2

Tourists 1.1 4.2 <0.1 0.6 2.9 0.9 2.0 1.5 0.8 <0.1 1.8 1.2

Total Participants**

2007 286,858 134,772 76,444 242,590 154,389 659,349 99,939 609,147 221,094 248,475 933,302 3,666,553

2010 296,033 139,452 78,817 252,375 161,282 686,245 103,471 627,472 231,647 257,554 957,693 3,794,568

2015 319,825 150,442 83,923 278,130 179,555 757,116 112,962 676,128 259,346 281,965 1,022,366 4,130,687

2020 343,731 161,556 88,272 302,639 197,381 826,265 122,339 723,577 286,072 304,551 1,086,798 4,458,595

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

West Apalachee North Tampa Bay

Central

Northeast

2007-2020

Table 5.13

Demand and Need Summary By Region

Canoeing/Kayaking

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

State 

Total

Regions

Treasure 

Coast

East Southwest South

Central

Withlacoochee Central
5—17 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Land-Based Activities 

Visiting Archaeological and Historic Sites 

Considering the richness of Florida’s history 

and the wealth of archaeological sites that 

are protected under public ownership, it is 

not surprising that visiting these areas was 

the most popular land-based recreation activity among both residents and tourists. 

Nearly 49 percent of statewide residents and 

22 percent of tourists participated. Much 

attention has been given to educating Florida residents about their state’s cultural heritage and promoting these areas to out-ofstate visitors has been a mainstay of heritage tourism efforts. Nearly every Florida 

community has one or more historic sites 

within a short drive’s distance and these areas can make excellent day trip destinations 

for families. The Northeast, East Central, 

Apalachee and Tampa Bay regions had the 

highest resident participation rates, with 

more than half of their residents participating. Among tourists, the Northeast, Withlacoochee and South regions had the highest 

rates at 46.6 percent, 32.4 percent and 27.9 

percent, respectively. 

Regional levels of service were highest in 

the Apalachee and North Central regions. 

Significantly higher numbers of inventoried 

sites occur in these regions. Level of service 

was lowest in the highly populated Tampa 

Bay Region. The Northeast and the East 

Central regions will have the most significant 

needs for additional historic sites by 2010. 

Statewide, 311 additional sites will be required by 2020 to maintain current service 

levels as population and demand increase. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 49.9 50.8 44.2 58.3 47.7 52.9 34.2 50.4 43.7 47.3 50.2 48.7

Tourists 24.0 27.1 19.0 46.6 32.4 17.7 19.6 23.9 25.0 18.8 27.9 21.6

Total Participants**

2007 2,853,353 680,440 371,100 3,714,638 943,603 5,612,308 676,862 3,779,036 2,462,928 2,260,181 6,343,801 27,224,551

2010 2,958,315 704,818 383,748 3,859,440 983,293 5,833,682 701,482 3,908,505 2,566,014 2,345,424 6,549,936 28,227,132

2015 3,232,514 764,132 413,684 4,239,105 1,088,019 6,414,875 767,044 4,249,566 2,836,181 2,570,856 7,092,279 30,855,188

2020 3,527,654 825,841 442,937 4,639,678 1,194,994 7,021,554 834,279 4,605,266 3,117,619 2,803,360 7,665,779 33,598,431

Levels of Service

(Sites/1,000 Participants)

2007 0.02 0.26 0.19 0.09 0.10 0.05 0.04 <0.01 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.05

2010 0.02 0.25 0.18 0.09 0.09 0.05 0.03 <0.01 0.04 0.01 0.02 0.05

2015 0.02 0.23 0.17 0.08 0.08 0.05 0.03 <0.01 0.04 0.01 0.02 0.04

2020 0.02 0.21 0.16 0.07 0.08 0.04 0.03 <0.01 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.04

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Sites)

2010 2 6 2 13 4 12 1 1 4 1 4 49

2015 9 22 8 48 14 42 3 2 16 5 13 177

2020 16 38 14 85 24 74 6 4 27 8 23 311

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Withlacoochee Southwest East 

Central

Central Tampa Bay State 

Total

Regions

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Treasure 

Coast

West Apalachee North South

Central

Northeast

Visiting Archeological and Historic Sites

Table 5.14

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020
5—18 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Nature Study 

The great diversity of Florida’s wildlife and 

plant communities makes it a paradise for 

the study of nature. In 2007, an estimated 

25 million residents and tourists participated 

in nature study, making it the second-most 

popular land-based activity surveyed. Anyone with sufficient interest can participate. 

Although no specialized facilities or equipment are required, trails that have been designed for educating visitors and interpreting 

the natural landscape can add tremendously 

to the enjoyment of the experience, particularly for those who are disabled or are less 

well-initiated in natural settings. The popularity of this activity is likely to increase even 

further as public education and naturebased tourism marketing efforts continue. 

Regional participation rates for residents 

were highest in the South, East Central and 

Tampa Bay regions, where extensive protected lands are convenient to highly populated urban areas. Tourist participation rates 

mirrored this with the highest rates occurring 

in the larger tourist markets where large, 

protected natural areas offer plentiful opportunities, often through organized nature 

study trips. 

The less populated North Central, Withlacoochee and Apalachee regions, where 

there are many miles of trails and smaller 

resident and tourist populations, had the 

highest levels of service. The lowest levels 

of service were found in the densely populated coastal regions: Treasure Coast, 

South, Tampa Bay and to a lesser extent, 

the West. Additional nature study trails will 

be needed in all regions to maintain current 

levels of service, particularly in the rapidly 

growing East Central region. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 39.3 36.8 29.8 39.6 34.0 42.1 30.2 40.3 32.7 38.5 44.8 37.1

Tourists 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9 21.9

Total Participants**

2007 2,538,299 819,641 299,752 2,305,370 707,328 5,101,423 686,632 3,941,873 2,924,054 2,887,554 5,375,525 25,056,387

2010 2,632,159 849,864 310,185 2,395,349 736,954 5,302,022 711,792 4,080,780 3,042,772 2,997,242 5,548,502 25,986,179

2015 2,877,419 925,719 335,356 2,631,304 815,094 5,828,492 778,640 4,446,125 3,353,788 3,286,243 6,003,747 28,422,876

2020 3,142,013 1,006,492 360,550 2,879,342 895,181 6,381,435 847,834 4,832,151 3,683,791 3,591,238 6,484,015 30,989,465

Levels of Service

(Miles of Trail/1,000 Participants)

2007 0.04 0.36 0.69 0.08 0.37 0.08 0.28 0.05 0.09 0.04 0.05 0.10

2010 0.04 0.35 0.67 0.08 0.35 0.08 0.27 0.05 0.08 0.04 0.05 0.10

2015 0.04 0.32 0.62 0.07 0.32 0.07 0.25 0.04 0.08 0.04 0.04 0.09

2020 0.03 0.30 0.57 0.06 0.29 0.06 0.23 0.04 0.07 0.03 0.04 0.08

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Miles of Trail)

2010 4 11 7 7 11 16 7 7 10 4 8 92

2015 14 39 25 26 40 58 26 25 37 16 30 333

2020 25 68 42 46 69 102 46 44 65 28 52 586

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Withlacoochee Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Central State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest

Nature Study

Table 5.15

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020
5—19 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Picnicking 

Because of its simplicity and its relationship 

to so many other recreational pursuits, picnicking is one of the most popular outdoor 

activities in the state. It is largely a familytype of activity, although in Florida, many 

large social groups also enjoy picnicking, 

and it requires only that the participant enjoy 

a meal outdoors. Participation among residents was relatively even across the regions, with the Tampa Bay, Apalachee and 

West Florida regions showing slightly higher 

rates than the others. Tourist participation 

rates in the North Central region (33.3 percent) were distinctly higher than other regions, with the Withlacoochee and Tampa 

Bay regions following at 23.5 percent and 19 

percent. 

The Central and Withlacoochee regions had 

the highest levels of service in the state. 

Levels of service were lowest in the Northeast and West regions. Significant projected 

needs for picnic tables exist for all regions in 

2020. Statewide, nearly 27,000 picnic tables 

will be needed to maintain current service 

levels. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 48.3 49.2 44.0 44.9 41.5 47.7 33.3 50.4 39.2 39.6 45.3 44.4

Tourists 16.4 18.8 33.3 15.7 23.5 9.3 17.6 19.0 17.3 9.4 14.1 13.0

Total Participants**

2007 2,076,956 536,935 483,796 1,635,855 737,768 3,585,128 628,944 3,297,032 1,843,689 1,424,337 4,064,750 19,196,736

2010 2,152,205 555,847 500,788 1,700,258 769,100 3,727,993 651,757 3,407,962 1,922,095 1,477,710 4,186,941 19,894,532

2015 2,348,637 600,993 542,115 1,869,312 851,836 4,103,495 712,562 3,700,491 2,127,622 1,619,334 4,509,261 21,724,378

2020 2,558,646 647,261 583,884 2,042,522 935,719 4,487,564 774,700 4,002,954 2,339,694 1,762,332 4,843,507 23,604,481

Levels of Service

(Tables/1,000 Participants)

2007 3 6 9 3 10 7 16 6 8 4 4 6

2010 3 6 8 3 9 7 15 5 8 4 3 6

2015 3 6 8 3 9 6 14 5 7 4 3 5

2020 3 5 7 2 8 6 13 5 7 3 3 5

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Tables)

2010 238 117 148 198 308 1,034 361 612 657 221 429 4,220

2015 859 395 508 717 1,121 3,751 1,325 2,227 2,380 807 1,559 15,285

2020 1,523 681 873 1,248 1,946 6,530 2,309 3,897 4,157 1,399 2,732 26,654

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central

Table 5.16

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Picnicking
5—20 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Bicycle Riding - Paved Trails 

In theory, one could ride a bicycle for recreation almost anywhere in Florida due to the 

easy availability of public roadways. In reality, however, paved trails that are specifically 

designed for bicycling are actually quite limited and are vital for full and safe public enjoyment of this activity. The participation 

rates identified in the University of Florida’s 

resident and tourist surveys reflected both 

types of bicycling. Bicycling on paved surfaces was the fourth most-popular landbased activity overall, accounting for more 

than 14.8 million participants. Statewide, 

43.5 percent of residents and eight percent 

of visitors participated. Resident participation rates were highest in the South and 

East Central regions at 57.6 percent and 

52.5 percent, respectively, with the Southwest, Tampa Bay, Northeast and Treasure 

Coast regions following closely. Among 

tourists, the South (57.6 percent), East Central (52.5 percent) and Southwest (48.5 percent) regions had the highest participation 

rates. 

The North Central, Apalachee and Withlacoochee regions had the three highest levels 

of service in the state. While large numbers 

of trails were inventoried in the more populated regions, those regions also had the 

highest demand. Levels of service were 

lowest in the West and Treasure Coast regions. Significant projected needs for paved 

trails exist for all regions through 2020. 

Statewide, more than 300 miles of additional 

paved trails will be needed just to maintain 

current levels of service as population and 

demand increase. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 35.7 34.1 35.5 47.2 38.9 52.5 35.1 47.8 48.5 47.0 57.6 43.5

Tourists 6.0 4.2 4.8 8.4 7.4 5.3 15.7 9.3 16.5 12.1 5.2 8.0

Total Participants**

2007 926,319 227,489 213,812 1,228,932 426,801 2,827,629 601,834 2,288,672 1,933,064 1,759,364 3,263,175 14,841,323

2010 958,527 235,036 220,731 1,277,763 445,986 2,941,858 623,532 2,361,614 2,016,688 1,825,358 3,345,259 15,372,389

2015 1,042,429 251,772 236,299 1,406,074 496,879 3,242,540 681,472 2,554,585 2,235,936 2,000,380 3,563,241 16,765,691

2020 1,130,431 267,880 250,499 1,533,944 546,264 3,541,752 740,225 2,748,758 2,459,882 2,177,696 3,777,780 18,169,382

Levels of Service

2007 0.03 0.21 0.32 0.06 0.23 0.08 0.09 0.06 0.10 0.04 0.12 0.10

2010 0.03 0.20 0.31 0.06 0.22 0.08 0.09 0.06 0.09 0.04 0.12 0.09

2015 0.03 0.19 0.29 0.05 0.20 0.07 0.08 0.05 0.09 0.04 0.11 0.08

2020 0.03 0.18 0.28 0.05 0.18 0.07 0.08 0.05 0.08 0.04 0.11 0.08

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Miles of Trail)

2010 1 2 2 3 4 10 2 4 8 3 10 51

2015 4 5 7 10 16 35 8 16 30 11 37 185

2020 7 8 12 18 28 60 13 27 52 19 64 320

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.17

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Bicycle Riding - Paved Trails

(Miles of Trail/1,000 Participants)

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central
5—21 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Hiking 

Like other recreational trail activities, hiking’s 

popularity has increased in recent years as a 

result of increased public education and promotion and the volunteer efforts of the Florida Trial Association. Florida has nearly 

4,600 miles of hiking trails, most of which are 

located on the state’s public lands. They 

provide a diverse range of hiking experiences, from a day’s hike to a long-distance 

trek, from one end of the state to the other. 

More than 8.3 million people participated in 

hiking during 2007, with the number of participants divided evenly between residents 

and tourists. However, far more residents 

participated than tourists on a percentage 

basis (22.6 percent compared to five percent). Among residents, the highest participation rates were in the northern regions 

(North Central, Apalachee and Northeast). 

For tourists, most of the higher rates were in 

central and southwest Florida (Tampa Bay, 

Southwest and Central regions). 

The Apalachee, North Central and Withlacoochee regions had the highest levels of 

service. Levels of service were lowest in the 

Tampa Bay and South regions, where hiking 

trails are in short supply. Significant needs 

for additional hiking trails are projected in all 

regions. Nearly 1,140 miles of additional 

hiking trails will be needed to maintain current levels of service through 2020. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 24.0 25.7 26.2 25.1 23.9 24.3 14.7 24.1 16.9 19.8 18.7 22.6

Tourists 5.5 4.2 4.8 8.4 4.4 4.7 5.9 7.6 6.5 4.0 4.9 5.0

Total Participants**

2007 765,092 188,374 167,945 892,104 260,039 1,817,874 237,393 1,433,061 729,252 662,741 1,541,126 8,422,662

2010 792,214 194,712 173,441 927,246 271,740 1,890,323 245,917 1,480,580 760,536 687,526 1,586,297 8,725,936

2015 862,937 209,024 185,945 1,019,497 302,781 2,080,748 268,710 1,605,996 842,548 753,362 1,705,555 9,521,450

2020 937,798 223,024 197,536 1,113,855 332,879 2,275,475 291,705 1,734,752 926,736 819,401 1,828,394 10,329,245

Levels of Service

(Miles of Trail/1,000 Participants)

2007 0.39 2.95 2.90 0.51 2.17 0.29 1.81 0.27 0.70 0.59 0.27 0.60

2010 0.38 2.85 2.80 0.49 2.08 0.28 1.74 0.27 0.67 0.57 0.26 0.58

2015 0.35 2.65 2.62 0.44 1.86 0.25 1.60 0.24 0.60 0.52 0.25 0.53

2020 0.32 2.49 2.46 0.41 1.70 0.23 1.47 0.23 0.55 0.48 0.23 0.49

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Miles of Trail)

2010 11 19 16 18 25 21 15 13 22 15 12 181

2015 38 61 52 65 93 77 57 47 79 54 45 656

2020 68 102 86 113 158 133 98 83 138 93 78 1,138

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central

Table 5.18

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Hiking
5—22 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Bicycle Riding - Unpaved Trails 

Unpaved trails are the preferred surfaces for 

“mountain biking,” a more rugged and athletic style of bicycle riding than its paved surface counterpart. Despite the physical requirements and somewhat specialized 

equipment that are needed to participate in 

the activity, biking on unpaved trails ranked 

fifth in popularity among the land-based activities and was enjoyed by more than five 

million participants. It is almost entirely a 

resident activity, with only one percent of 

tourists participating, although this could 

change as more national biking competitions 

are held in the state. Resident participation 

was distributed fairly evenly across regions, 

with the Northeast, South and East Central 

regions leading the others. Among tourists, 

the Withlacoochee region stood out with the 

highest participation rate (2.9 percent), reflecting the popularity of the trails available 

there. 

Similar to bicycle riding on paved trails, levels of service were highest in the North Central, Withlacoochee and Apalachee regions. 

These regions had some of the highest supply levels of all the regions. Level of service 

was lowest in the South region. Statewide, 

more than 500 miles of trails will be needed 

to maintain current levels of service in light 

of expected increases in population. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 20.4 22.9 23.9 28.5 21.6 23.4 16.4 19.8 14.6 16.3 24.6 21.4

Tourists 1.6 2.1 <.1 2.2 2.9 0.9 2.0 1.7 1.9 0.7 0.6 1.0

Total Participants**

2007 350,790 141,270 118,488 569,376 216,249 933,311 169,301 741,362 364,705 350,214 1,152,696 4,838,979

2010 362,324 145,895 122,167 592,219 226,102 971,653 175,133 763,639 381,536 363,105 1,178,473 5,005,534

2015 392,283 155,969 130,080 652,307 252,268 1,072,761 190,935 822,789 425,698 397,632 1,247,279 5,443,043

2020 422,835 165,504 136,822 710,449 277,398 1,169,994 206,019 880,435 469,136 430,431 1,312,253 5,861,614

Levels of Service

2007 0.24 1.13 1.95 0.40 1.45 0.50 1.04 0.42 0.46 0.49 0.06 0.49

2010 0.23 1.10 1.89 0.38 1.39 0.48 1.01 0.41 0.44 0.48 0.06 0.48

2015 0.22 1.03 1.77 0.35 1.25 0.43 0.93 0.38 0.39 0.43 0.06 0.44

2020 0.20 0.97 1.69 0.32 1.13 0.40 0.86 0.36 0.36 0.40 0.06 0.41

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Miles of Trail)

2010 3 5 7 9 14 19 6 9 8 6 2 82

2015 10 17 23 33 52 69 23 34 28 23 6 298

2020 17 27 36 56 89 117 38 59 48 40 10 504

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Central

(Miles of Trail/1,000 Participants)

Withlacoochee

Table 5.19

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Bicycle Riding - Unpaved Trails
5—23 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

RV/Trailer Camping 

RV camping in Florida is changing and 

changes can be expected in the way that 

residents and tourists participate in this activity. Many private campgrounds have been 

sold for development in recent years increasing the relative importance of public 

areas to maintaining the overall supply of RV 

sites. Full-time RV camping is a reality for 

many retirees who are searching for an active lifestyle and affordable housing costs. 

Rising gasoline prices will dampen demand 

for this activity, but the long-term effects on 

participation are not certain. In 2007, Florida 

hosted an estimated 3.9 million resident and 

tourist RV/trailer campers. Ten percent of 

residents participated, with the highest rates 

clustered in the Northeast, Apalachee, North 

Central and Withlacoochee regions. Statewide, 2.5 percent of tourists participated. It 

is worth noting that tourist participation in the 

North Central region was nearly twice the 

rate of any other region. 

Significant regional differences in levels of 

service were found. The Central region 

stood out as having the highest level of service of any region, followed by the Southwest. The Northeast region, where fewer 

sites exist and demand is high, had the lowest level of service. Statewide, nearly 

37,000 additional RV/trailer campsites will 

be needed by 2020 to maintain current levels of service. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 8.5 12.1 10.8 13.2 10.8 9.3 9.3 6.1 7.6 10.2 6.9 9.7

Tourists 3.8 <0.1 19.0 6.2 7.4 3.1 9.8 3.2 2.3 0.7 1.5 2.5

Total Participants**

2007 459,390 56,500 205,471 575,349 214,005 980,308 277,740 488,451 282,848 239,054 526,687 3,908,616

2010 476,241 58,246 212,977 597,915 223,004 1,018,985 288,036 505,310 295,183 247,883 541,749 4,050,090

2015 520,256 61,748 231,852 657,123 246,748 1,120,532 315,295 549,701 327,526 271,490 581,548 4,421,130

2020 567,574 64,791 251,680 718,473 271,008 1,226,477 343,920 596,160 360,405 294,185 622,265 4,800,364

Levels of Service

(Sites/1,000 Participants)

2007 11 43 22 8 50 36 92 61 89 30 23 41

2010 11 42 21 8 48 34 88 59 85 29 23 40

2015 10 40 20 7 43 31 81 54 77 26 21 37

2020 9 38 18 6 39 29 74 50 70 24 20 34

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Sites)

2010 192 75 166 183 447 1,385 943 1,020 1,097 261 349 5,865

2015 693 227 582 663 1,627 5,021 3,439 3,707 3,974 959 1,272 21,248

2020 1,232 358 1,020 1,160 2,832 8,815 6,060 6,518 6,899 1,631 2,215 36,970

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central

Table 5.20

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

RV/Trailer Camping
5—24 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Tent Camping 

To most participants, tent camping is a distinctly different recreational experience than 

RV/trailer camping. While many tent campers enjoy having the same amenities as their 

counterparts in recreational vehicles, most 

prefer to camp in areas that have been designated specifically for tent camping. Tent 

campers have the added advantage of being 

able to take their equipment with them to 

more remote sites that offer the solitude not 

found in most RV campground settings. 

Tent camping is far more popular among 

residents than tourists (15.9 percent of residents participated compared to 1.2 percent 

of tourists), while the opposite is true for 

RV/trailer camping (9.7 percent participation 

for tourists versus 2.5 percent for residents). 

Statewide, nearly four million people went 

tent camping in 2007. The Northeast, West 

and East Central regions showed the highest participation rates among residents. 

Among tourists, the North Central, West and 

South regions had the highest rates. 

The highest levels of service were found in 

the Withlacoochee and Apalachee regions. 

Levels of service were lowest in the South, 

Tampa Bay and Northeast where populations are much higher and fewer state and 

federal lands provide tent camping. In the 

East Central region alone, more than 1,150 

tent campsites will be needed by 2020. 

Statewide, more than 4,300 sites will be 

needed by 2020 to accommodate the projected increases in participation. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 19.4 18.3 17.5 19.8 13.7 18.9 12.9 12.6 9.6 11.0 17.7 15.9

Tourists 1.6 <0.1 4.8 1.1 <0.1 0.8 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 1.2 1.2

Total Participants**

2007 341,298 85,474 124,627 368,895 103,923 765,280 100,574 391,872 148,676 202,704 947,524 3,982,205

2010 352,566 88,116 128,778 383,739 108,898 796,682 103,910 402,974 156,228 210,110 970,606 4,120,817

2015 381,840 93,414 138,389 422,798 122,157 879,482 113,061 432,570 176,063 230,024 1,031,986 4,484,794

2020 411,759 98,017 147,515 460,247 134,427 959,295 121,336 460,428 194,547 248,449 1,091,754 4,838,420

Levels of Service

(Sites/1,000 Participants)

2007 6 20 14 4 32 6 10 3 8 4 1 5

2010 6 19 13 3 31 6 10 3 8 4 1 5

2015 5 18 12 3 27 5 9 3 7 3 1 4

2020 5 17 11 3 25 5 8 3 6 3 1 4

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Sites)

2010 65 52 56 52 159 187 33 34 63 29 31 698

2015 234 156 187 190 583 678 125 124 228 108 115 2,530

2020 406 247 311 322 975 1,153 208 208 381 181 196 4,309

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.21

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Tent Camping

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central
5—25 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Off-Highway Vehicle Riding 

Riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) is growing in popularity in Florida, especially among 

families, and participation is expected to increase as new areas for OHV riding are provided. However, it is not an activity that 

reaches a large segment of the public. Nevertheless, more than 3.8 million people were 

estimated to have participated in OHV riding 

in 2007, nearly all of them Florida residents. 

The South, East Central and Tampa Bay 

regions displayed the highest number of participants; the Apalachee, North Central and 

Northeast regions had the highest rates of 

resident participation. Tourist participation 

rates, while low in all regions, were highest 

in the North Central region (4.8 percent). 

Regional levels of service were highest in 

the Withlacoochee, North Central and Apalachee regions. Levels of service and resource/facility requirements could not be calculated in five regions because no inventoried OHV trails existed in those regions. 

However, all of those regions displayed significant participation in OHV riding among 

residents and measurable levels of participation among tourists. OHV trails undoubtedly exist in these regions, but are located 

on lands that could not be practicably inventoried for this plan. Statewide, nearly 180 

miles of additional trails will be needed by 

2020 just to maintain current levels of service. All regions have considerable needs 

for additional miles of OHV trails. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 18.9 24.1 21.1 19.5 13.4 13.7 12.0 12.6 13.5 9.9 11.8 16.0

Tourists 0.5 <0.1 4.8 2.2 <0.1 0.9 2.0 0.9 0.4 <0.1 1.2 1.0

Total Participants**

2007 227,672 113,000 142,464 433,041 101,449 626,734 134,620 448,578 237,359 183,087 692,923 3,819,579

2010 234,620 116,493 147,168 450,343 106,305 652,267 139,302 461,862 249,077 189,777 710,667 3,951,911

2015 252,589 123,496 157,971 495,835 119,248 719,539 151,949 497,167 279,844 207,764 757,753 4,299,450

2020 270,165 129,581 168,111 540,413 131,227 785,345 164,179 531,289 308,973 224,406 804,363 4,634,964

Levels of Service

(Miles of Trail/1,000 Participants)

2007 NC 1.33 1.67 0.44 1.84 0.03 NC NC 0.21 NC NC 0.22

2010 NC 1.29 1.62 0.43 1.76 0.02 NC NC 0.20 NC NC 0.21

2015 NC 1.21 1.51 0.39 1.57 0.02 NC NC 0.18 NC NC 0.19

2020 NC 1.16 1.42 0.36 1.43 0.02 NC NC 0.16 NC NC 0.18

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Miles of Trail)

2010 NC 5 8 8 9 1 NC NC 2 NC NC 29

2015 NC 14 26 28 33 2 NC NC 9 NC NC 105

2020 NC 22 43 48 55 4 NC NC 15 NC NC 178

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

NC represents Levels of Service and Resource/Facility Requirements that could not be calculated. 

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Off-Highway Vehicle Riding

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Table 5.22

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

East South

Central

Northeast Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure Central

Coast

Withlacoochee
5—26 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Horseback Riding 

More than two million people participated in 

horseback riding in 2007, nearly all of them 

Florida residents. Despite its growth in 

popularity in recent years, horseback riding 

is done by a relatively small portion of the 

population (9.1 percent of residents). The 

expense of owning a horse is relatively high 

and most people lack the necessary space 

to quarter horses. This can be alleviated to 

some extent in areas where horses are 

available for rent. Resident participation 

rates were highest in some of the north Florida regions (Northeast, North Central and 

Withlacoochee). In terms of participants, 

however, more riders lived in the urbanized 

regions centered on Miami, Fort Lauderdale, 

Tampa and Orlando (the South, Tampa Bay 

and East Central regions). Future participation in horseback riding will be influenced by 

the continued availability of trails on private 

land and whether the loss of opportunities 

on those areas is compensated by new opportunities on public lands. 

The highest levels of service were found in 

the Withlacoochee, North Central and Central regions. These regions have some of 

the largest supplies of horseback riding trails 

in the state. Levels of service were lowest in 

the West and South regions where trails are 

in shorter supply. Significant projected 

needs for horseback riding trails exist in all 

regions in 2020, with the East Central region 

displaying the highest need. Statewide, 

nearly 480 additional miles of horseback riding trails will be needed to maintain current 

levels of service. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 9.6 8.7 12.9 13.5 10.1 6.6 8.4 7.2 6.2 9.5 6.4 9.1

Tourists 1.1 2.1 <0.1 1.7 <0.1 0.9 <0.1 0.6 <0.1 0.7 <0.1 0.4

Total Participants**

2007 196,682 74,629 63,703 306,736 76,705 404,955 65,894 264,431 96,202 225,976 275,817 2,043,224

2010 220,622 83,138 69,936 351,167 90,163 464,017 74,075 293,324 113,923 256,649 297,085 2,297,962

2015 220,622 83,138 69,936 351,167 90,163 464,017 74,075 293,324 113,923 256,649 297,085 2,297,962

2020 238,509 89,085 73,560 382,805 99,220 507,088 79,496 313,716 125,883 278,156 311,340 2,474,160

Levels of Service

(Miles of Trail/1,000 Participants)

2007 0.37 1.76 3.86 0.68 4.02 1.31 3.30 0.95 0.99 0.72 0.50 1.16

2010 0.36 1.70 3.75 0.65 3.83 1.26 3.19 0.92 0.94 0.70 0.49 1.12

2015 0.33 1.58 3.52 0.59 3.42 1.14 2.94 0.86 0.84 0.64 0.47 1.03

2020 0.31 1.47 3.34 0.54 3.11 1.04 2.74 0.80 0.76 0.59 0.45 0.95

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Miles of Trail)

2010 2 5 8 8 10 21 7 8 5 6 3 78

2015 9 15 24 30 36 77 27 27 18 22 11 282

2020 16 25 38 51 60 134 45 47 29 38 18 477

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Horseback Riding

Table 5.23

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Withlacoochee Treasure Tampa Bay Southwest

Coast

East South

Central

Central
5—27 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Hunting 

Hunting ranked 24th in resident participation 

among the 29 recreation activities surveyed. 

As with horseback riding, the development 

of agricultural lands and loss of public access to large private landholdings have combined to reduce the amount of land available 

for public hunting. These reductions, together with the loss of wildlife habitat that 

has occurred throughout the state as a result 

of urban development, have combined to 

increase the pressure for hunting on public 

land. An estimated 2.4 million people 

hunted in Florida during 2007, nearly all of 

them residents. Only the Central and East 

Central regions reported a measurable 

amount of hunting by tourists. While the 

largest numbers of hunters lived in the heavily populated East Central, South and 

Tampa Bay regions, the highest participation 

rates were found among residents of the 

state’s northern regions (Apalachee, North 

Central and Withlacoochee) where the supply of available hunting lands is generally 

greatest. 

Regional levels of service for hunting vary 

widely. The Apalachee region, with its relatively small population and large supply of 

public hunting land, stood out as having the 

highest level of service. In contrast, the 

Tampa Bay and Central regions, where 

fewer public hunting lands exist, had the 

lowest levels of service. Statewide, more 

than one million acres of additional land for 

hunting will be needed by 2020 to maintain 

current levels of service. 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 14.0 22.6 19.3 12.7 14.1 6.2 9.3 7.9 7.3 4.9 5.4 11.6

Tourists <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.3 2.0 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.4

Total Participants**

2007 128,144 105,756 95,555 192,473 106,398 269,271 113,812 228,497 113,693 91,544 233,383 2,493,415

2010 131,735 109,025 98,522 200,296 111,491 280,276 117,804 234,791 119,468 94,888 238,277 2,578,764

2015 140,972 115,580 104,904 220,901 125,065 309,283 128,557 251,599 134,636 103,882 251,380 2,803,001

2020 149,526 121,275 110,341 240,051 137,628 337,470 139,075 267,142 148,771 112,203 263,442 3,015,878

Levels of Service

(Acres/1,000 Participants)

2007 5,139 8,949 3,581 1,795 5,314 1,595 446 255 6,785 3,751 2,993 2,089

2010 4,999 8,681 3,473 1,724 5,071 1,532 431 248 6,457 3,619 2,931 2,020

2015 4,671 8,188 3,262 1,564 4,521 1,388 395 232 5,729 3,305 2,778 1,859

2020 4,404 7,804 3,101 1,439 4,108 1,273 365 218 5,185 3,060 2,651 1,727

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Acres)

2010 18,453 29,258 10,623 14,037 27,064 17,552 1,781 1,606 39,182 12,546 14,646 178,324

2015 65,922 87,912 33,474 51,015 99,197 63,811 6,577 5,896 142,093 46,279 53,858 646,831

2020 109,878 138,881 52,942 85,378 165,954 108,764 11,269 9,863 237,997 77,490 89,956 1,091,604

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Hunting

Table 5.24

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Withlacoochee Treasure Tampa Bay Southwest

Coast

East South

Central

Central
5—28 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

User-Oriented Activities 

User-oriented recreation activities are considered separately from resource-based activities in this plan because they do not depend on the availability or distribution of 

natural resources and require only that manmade facilities be available for the purpose. 

All user-oriented activities can be enjoyed 

year-round in Florida because of the state’s 

mild climate. Team activities such as baseball, football and basketball, however, are 

subject to seasonal considerations that affect participation patterns throughout the 

year. 

Participation in user-oriented activities was 

far greater among the state’s residents than 

visitors. Participation percentages were 

highest in the urban areas where the greatest concentrations of Floridians live, and 

they increased in proportion to increasing 

population. Resident participation rates 

were consistently lower in the state’s rural 

regions, which probably reflects a lack of 

available facilities in those regions rather 

than a lower relative level of interest in useroriented activities. The favorite activities of 

residents, in the order of their statewide participation rates, were outdoor swimming pool 

use, baseball/softball, golf, basketball and 

football. 

Tourists participated in user-oriented activities far less often than residents. Only one 

activity (outdoor swimming pool use), 

showed a greater percentage of tourist participation than resident participation. This 

reflects tourists’ general preference for resource-based types of recreation and other 

leisure activities and the limited amount of 

time they have to spend in the state. Generally, the highest tourist participation rates in 

user-oriented activities were seen in the regions with the largest tourist populations 

(East Central, Tampa Bay, Southwest, 

Treasure Coast and South). Outdoor swimming pool use, golf, baseball/softball, shuffleboard, basketball and tennis had significant percentages of tourist participation. 

When considering levels of service for useroriented activities, regions that had lower 

resident and tourist populations generally 

had the highest levels of service. These regions include the Apalachee, North Central 

and Withlacoochee regions. The regions 

with lower levels of service were among the 

most highly populated, the East Central, 

Northeast, South, Tampa Bay, Treasure 

Coast and West regions. The sheer number 

of people who live in these densely populated areas, combined with the tourists who 

visit, dramatically impact levels of service. 

Significant needs for additional user-oriented 

facilities are identified in Table 5.25 through 

Table 5.33. In order to maintain current levels of service as population and demand increase through 2020, an additional 1,223 

baseball/softball fields, 1,765 outdoor basketball goals, 778 football fields, 500 outdoor 

swimming pools, 2,095 tennis courts and 

367 soccer fields will need to be provided. 
5—29 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 14.5 14.9 18.0 20.8 13.7 19.7 16.0 17.3 13.5 13.8 24.6 16.9

Tourists 1.6 2.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 1.6 <0.1 1.7 0.4 1.3 0.9 2.6

Total Participants**

2007 296,210 103,604 89,185 316,779 103,923 987,593 124,851 668,659 237,359 353,870 1,198,626 5,343,091

2010 359,148 122,311 102,985 395,083 134,427 1,237,230 150,624 795,436 308,973 436,095 1,369,648 6,530,360

2015 332,239 114,803 97,910 363,567 122,157 1,133,070 140,352 742,735 279,844 401,997 1,299,601 6,031,821

2020 359,148 122,311 102,985 395,083 134,427 1,237,230 150,624 795,436 308,973 436,095 1,369,648 6,530,360

Levels of Service

(Goals/1,000 Participants)

2007 1.1 2.4 5.6 2.1 4.6 1.4 3.6 1.6 1.6 2.6 1.3 1.5

2010 1.1 2.3 5.4 2.1 4.4 1.3 3.5 1.5 1.5 2.5 1.3 1.4

2015 1.0 2.1 5.1 1.9 3.9 1.2 3.2 1.4 1.3 2.3 1.2 1.3

2020 0.9 2.0 4.9 1.7 3.6 1.1 3.0 1.3 1.2 2.1 1.1 1.2

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Goals)

2010 11 8 16 28 23 55 15 32 18 35 35 283

2015 41 26 49 100 85 202 56 116 67 127 130 1,024

2020 71 44 78 167 141 346 93 198 113 216 220 1,765

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.26

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

North 

Central

Northeast East 

Central

Outdoor Basketball

Withlacoochee

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

South State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee Central

Percent of Participation*

Residents 22.0 21.1 23.9 22.2 16.0 21.8 16.9 24.5 16.1 15.5 18.7 20.2

Tourists 2.7 <0.1 4.8 3.9 1.5 1.4 7.8 7.6 5.4 4.0 4.3 3.5

Total Participants**

2007 473,908 98,512 156,479 575,373 147,714 1,003,767 295,715 1,443,448 633,743 584,275 1,449,265 6,708,796

2010 490,029 101,558 161,618 598,237 154,536 1,044,645 306,391 1,491,253 661,191 606,193 1,490,902 6,948,379

2015 531,977 107,663 173,357 658,316 172,670 1,152,342 334,888 1,617,432 733,157 664,320 1,600,911 7,576,987

2020 575,505 112,968 184,295 718,174 189,909 1,257,771 363,837 1,746,895 806,614 723,227 1,713,603 8,208,678

Levels of Service

(Fields /1,000 Participants)

2007 1.0 2.6 1.3 1.0 2.1 0.8 1.3 0.5 0.5 1.0 0.5 0.8

2010 1.0 2.5 1.3 1.0 2.0 0.8 1.2 0.5 0.5 1.0 0.5 0.8

2015 0.9 2.4 1.2 0.9 1.8 0.7 1.1 0.5 0.4 0.9 0.5 0.7

2020 0.8 2.3 1.1 0.8 1.6 0.7 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.4 0.7

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Fields)

2010 17 8 7 23 14 33 14 25 14 22 22 195

2015 60 24 23 85 52 121 50 92 49 81 79 708

2020 104 38 37 146 88 208 87 161 86 140 138 1,223

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central

Table 5.25

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Baseball/Softball
5—30 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 12.9 12.4 18.0 18.7 9.2 11.0 15.6 15.5 10.4 9.5 16.3 13.5

Tourists 1.6 <0.1 4.8 <0.1 <0.1 0.7 <0.1 2.6 <0.1 <0.1 1.8 1.6

Total Participants**

2007 281,972 57,948 127,175 284,700 69,282 492,881 121,383 701,787 161,794 176,548 975,735 3,862,438

2010 291,578 59,740 131,405 296,270 72,599 512,985 125,409 723,902 170,012 182,999 1,001,016 3,998,671

2015 316,575 63,331 141,186 326,750 81,438 565,958 136,453 782,449 191,597 200,344 1,068,071 4,356,249

2020 342,534 66,452 150,457 355,075 89,618 617,652 146,440 841,012 211,713 216,391 1,134,696 4,709,841

Levels of Service

(Fields/1,000 Participants)

2007 1.0 2.2 2.0 1.1 3.1 1.2 1.3 0.7 1.1 3.1 0.7 1.0

2010 0.9 2.1 1.9 1.0 3.0 1.2 1.2 0.7 1.1 3.0 0.7 1.0

2015 0.9 2.0 1.8 0.9 2.7 1.1 1.1 0.6 1.0 2.8 0.6 0.9

2020 0.8 1.9 1.6 0.9 2.4 1.0 1.1 0.6 0.9 2.5 0.6 0.8

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Fields)

2010 9 4 8 12 10 25 5 15 9 20 17 125

2015 34 12 27 45 38 90 19 56 34 74 63 453

2020 59 19 45 75 64 153 32 97 57 124 108 778

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.27

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Football

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central

Percent of Participation*

Residents 15.2 11.5 13.4 21.9 21.6 20.1 16.4 24.5 23.7 27.2 19.2 19.4

Tourists 9.3 <0.1 9.5 10.1 11.8 7.1 15.7 10.2 18.1 20.8 8.3 9.6

Total Participants**

2007 1,065,488 53,602 142,232 946,219 375,070 2,227,025 456,175 1,698,626 1,658,111 2,035,751 2,067,581 11,671,457

2010 1,105,006 55,259 147,211 983,337 391,032 2,314,778 473,041 1,756,246 1,726,414 2,113,079 2,132,629 12,102,669

2015 1,208,284 58,581 159,286 1,080,731 433,189 2,545,138 517,728 1,908,119 1,905,386 2,316,825 2,303,950 13,232,888

2020 1,319,849 61,468 171,448 1,181,594 475,861 2,786,091 564,497 2,065,767 2,093,623 2,531,829 2,483,689 14,417,208

Levels of Service

(Holes/1,000 Participants)

2007 0.9 5.0 1.5 1.3 1.9 0.9 2.3 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.1 1.4

2010 0.9 4.9 1.5 1.3 1.8 0.9 2.2 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.1 1.4

2015 0.8 4.6 1.4 1.1 1.6 0.8 2.0 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.0 1.3

2020 0.7 4.4 1.3 1.0 1.5 0.8 1.9 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.0 1.2

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Holes)

2010 36 8 8 48 30 83 39 71 98 126 75 617

2015 128 25 26 176 109 301 142 259 353 459 271 2,234

2020 229 40 44 307 189 529 250 453 622 810 477 3,929

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.28

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Golf

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central
5—31 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 4.1 4.6 5.4 5.0 4.2 6.8 3.6 5.4 2.8 3.9 6.9 4.8

Tourists <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 1.1 <0.1 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 0.8 <0.1 0.6 0.3

Total Participants**

2007 37,969 21,731 26,755 144,343 32,167 264,312 27,745 155,794 98,656 71,927 388,895 1,157,258

2010 39,033 22,402 27,586 150,061 33,707 275,192 28,665 160,085 102,989 74,555 398,657 1,197,340

2015 41,770 23,749 29,373 165,080 37,810 303,888 31,189 171,545 114,354 81,622 424,582 1,302,606

2020 44,304 24,920 30,895 180,187 41,608 331,373 33,472 182,142 125,857 88,159 450,080 1,404,188

Levels of Service

(Courts/1,000 Participants)

2007 1.4 4.1 2.7 0.6 3.0 1.2 3.1 1.3 0.9 4.5 1.3 1.6

2010 1.3 4.0 2.6 0.5 2.9 1.1 3.0 1.3 0.8 4.3 1.3 1.6

2015 1.2 3.7 2.5 0.5 2.6 1.0 2.8 1.2 0.7 3.9 1.2 1.5

2020 1.2 3.6 2.4 0.4 2.4 0.9 2.6 1.1 0.7 3.6 1.1 1.4

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Courts)

2010 1 3 2 3 5 13 3 6 4 12 13 66

2015 5 8 7 12 17 47 11 21 14 43 46 240

2020 9 13 11 20 29 80 18 34 23 72 79 407

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.29

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Outdoor Handball/Racquetball

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central

Percent of Participation*

Residents 1.3 1.5 1.5 0.3 6.2 5.0 6.2 2.9 6.2 4.6 2.5 3.4

Tourists 2.7 <0.1 4.8 2.8 2.9 2.4 5.9 4.7 6.2 2.0 2.8 2.9

Total Participants**

2007 284,065 7,244 45,634 174,399 99,953 696,160 171,499 536,741 535,621 233,288 519,460 3,064,403

2010 294,866 7,467 47,333 181,115 104,240 723,454 177,838 556,477 557,408 242,097 537,584 3,179,177

2015 323,129 7,916 51,669 198,701 115,569 795,065 194,635 608,267 614,487 265,379 585,162 3,479,879

2020 353,986 8,307 56,300 217,919 126,967 870,714 212,209 664,025 674,982 289,483 636,302 3,800,054

Levels of Service

(Courts/1,000 Participants)

2007 0.4 1.9 1.1 0.6 2.3 1.4 3.8 2.2 1.1 1.9 1.0 1.6

2010 0.3 1.9 1.1 0.6 2.2 1.4 3.7 2.1 1.0 1.8 1.0 1.5

2015 0.3 1.8 1.0 0.5 2.0 1.2 3.4 1.9 0.9 1.6 0.9 1.4

2020 0.3 1.7 0.9 0.5 1.8 1.1 3.1 1.7 0.9 1.5 0.8 1.3

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Courts)

2010 4 0 2 4 10 39 24 42 23 16 18 181

2015 14 1 7 14 37 141 88 154 85 60 66 656

2020 25 2 12 25 63 249 156 274 150 104 118 1,161

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.30

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Outdoor Shuffleboard

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central
5—32 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 10.3 5.9 5.7 12.1 5.2 8.3 4.4 8.3 5.9 8.8 8.9 7.8

Tourists <0.1 2.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 0.4 <0.1 0.9 0.3

Total Participants**

2007 94,922 61,591 28,030 184,453 39,590 334,500 34,681 238,884 119,293 163,471 519,693 1,700,593

2010 97,581 63,752 28,900 191,950 41,485 348,231 35,831 245,463 125,014 169,443 533,000 1,758,915

2015 104,424 68,888 30,772 211,697 46,536 384,436 38,987 263,036 140,030 185,504 568,315 1,912,136

2020 110,760 74,133 32,367 230,049 51,210 419,311 41,840 279,285 154,480 200,362 603,272 2,057,986

Levels of Service

(Fields/1,000 Participants)

2007 1.5 1.1 6.1 0.7 2.9 0.9 2.2 1.0 0.8 1.9 0.6 1.1

2010 1.5 1.1 5.9 0.7 2.8 0.9 2.2 0.9 0.7 1.8 0.5 1.1

2015 1.4 1.0 5.5 0.6 2.5 0.8 2.0 0.9 0.7 1.7 0.5 1.0

2020 1.3 0.9 5.3 0.6 2.3 0.7 1.9 0.8 0.6 1.5 0.5 0.9

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Fields)

2010 4 2 5 5 6 12 3 6 4 5 7 60

2015 14 8 17 20 20 44 10 23 16 18 27 217

2020 24 14 26 33 34 75 16 39 27 30 46 367

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Soccer/Rugby

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Table 5.32

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

East 

Central

Central Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast Withlacoochee South

Percent of Participation*

Residents 41.3 36.2 42.4 46.7 53.6 60.8 39.1 60.8 60.3 60.1 56.7 50.7

Tourists 57.4 37.5 33.3 50.0 51.5 59.1 45.1 51.6 62.7 57.7 58.9 56.8

Total Participants**

2007 6,095,879 782,678 476,152 3,742,672 1,332,254 15,107,133 1,247,777 6,773,791 5,412,368 5,362,389 11,258,626 57,135,098

2010 6,326,369 811,502 492,907 3,888,166 1,387,312 15,694,510 1,294,153 7,015,153 5,632,074 5,566,494 11,648,965 59,286,223

2015 6,929,292 883,746 533,723 4,269,531 1,532,368 17,234,121 1,416,829 7,649,579 6,207,658 6,103,707 12,673,886 64,921,226

2020 7,585,995 960,601 575,056 4,675,134 1,682,610 18,887,544 1,546,048 8,323,274 6,818,445 6,674,250 13,774,025 70,957,173

Levels of Service

(Pools/1,000 Participants)

2007 0.02 0.06 0.10 0.04 0.07 0.02 0.11 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.04

2010 0.02 0.06 0.10 0.04 0.06 0.02 0.11 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03

2015 0.02 0.05 0.09 0.03 0.06 0.02 0.10 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03

2020 0.02 0.05 0.08 0.03 0.05 0.02 0.09 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Pools)

2010 4 2 2 5 4 12 5 10 11 9 14 78

2015 16 6 6 19 13 45 19 37 39 32 50 282

2020 29 10 10 34 23 80 33 65 69 56 88 500

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central

Table 5.31

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Outdoor Swimming Pool Use
5—33 

Outdoor Recreation in Florida, 2008 

Percent of Participation*

Residents 10.9 9.3 7.2 12.1 7.2 12.4 8.4 12.2 11.3 13.8 18.7 11.0

Tourists 2.2 <0.1 <0.1 0.6 1.5 2.1 2.0 2.9 5.0 6.0 4.6 2.3

Total Participants**

2007 317,427 43,461 35,674 218,531 80,906 857,402 106,876 636,664 531,941 699,864 1,495,195 3,989,198

2010 328,595 44,805 36,781 227,338 84,530 891,677 110,637 657,295 554,557 726,291 1,538,600 4,132,557

2015 357,706 47,498 39,164 250,517 94,140 981,795 120,759 711,821 613,841 796,136 1,653,233 4,508,623

2020 388,410 49,839 41,194 272,632 103,492 1,073,389 130,707 767,157 675,022 868,450 1,770,998 4,889,560

Levels of Service

(Courts/1,000 Participants)

2007 1.5 5.1 5.5 2.8 2.8 1.5 3.5 2.1 1.7 2.1 1.4 2.3

2010 1.5 4.9 5.3 2.7 2.6 1.5 3.4 2.0 1.6 2.1 1.4 2.2

2015 1.4 4.6 5.0 2.5 2.4 1.3 3.1 1.9 1.5 1.9 1.3 2.1

2020 1.3 4.4 4.8 2.3 2.2 1.2 2.9 1.7 1.4 1.7 1.2 1.9

Resource/Facility Requirements***

(Courts)

2010 17 7 6 25 10 52 13 43 39 56 62 334

2015 62 20 19 90 37 188 49 157 141 205 225 1,208

2020 109 32 30 153 63 326 85 273 246 359 392 2,095

** Total participants represents the combined number of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

*** Resource/facility requirements represents the amount of additional resources and facilities that are needed to maintain 2007 levels of service through the projected years.

BOLD type represents regions with levels of service below the statewide median. 

Table 5.33

Demand and Need Summary By Region

2007-2020

State 

Total

Regions

West Apalachee North 

Central

Northeast

Outdoor Tennis

* Percent of participation represents the percentage of residents and tourists who participated in activity at least one time during the year.

Tampa Bay Southwest Treasure 

Coast

East South

Central

Withlacoochee Central