Outdoor Recreation Accessibility in County Kilkenny. Participant Survey

The purpose of the County Kilkenny Outdoor Recreation Committee (CKORC) Action Plan is:
• A planned and coordinated approach.
• Ensure that County Kilkenny’s outdoor recreation needs are prioritised.
• To align available funding and resources and ensure value for money from public investment in outdoor recreation.

This questionnaire is an opportunity to include your voice, as a person with a disability or as a carer, about accessibility in outdoor recreation in County Kilkenny.

Outdoor recreation includes activities that take place in the natural environment, such as walking, canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering, and wild swimming, and at venues such as forests, parks, hills, beaches, lakes, and rivers. It does not include activities that take place in more formal outdoor settings, such as golf, soccer/GAA, or motorsports (scrambler bikes, speedboats).

1.Are you... (please select all that apply)

A disabled person

Family member or friend of a disabled person

Unpaid or family carer

Carer or PA

Teacher, Social Worker or Healthcare Professional

I’d rather not say

2.How often do you participate in outdoor recreational activities?

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Rarely

Never

3.What would encourage you to do more trail walking, cycling, outdoor watersports or other outdoor recreation activities in County Kilkenny?

4.Who do you take part in outdoor recreation with?

Most often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

By myself.

Most often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

With a dog.

Most often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

With a few close friends or family.

Most often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

With a carer/health care professional.

Most often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

As part of a formal club.

Most often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Within a commercial activity provider setting.

Most often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Other (please specify)

5.What is your favourite outdoor recreation venue in County Kilkenny and briefly why?

6.Might you consider any new types of outdoor recreation?

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Kayaking

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Trail walking

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Open water swimming.

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Rockclimbing

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Hillwalking

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Sailing Windsurfing

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Mountain-biking or Gravel biking

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Orienteering

I already do this activity.

I am very interested in trying this.

I am somewhat interested in trying this.

I am not really interested in trying this.

I definitely will never try this.

I tried this but did not like it.

Other (please specify)

7.Facilities. How much do you agree with these statements?

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Most of the outdoor recreation infrastructure (trails, car parking, bridges) in County Kilkenny are of good quality and well maintained.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

Access for people with a disability is generally good at outdoor recreation places in County Kilkenny.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

Thinking about accessibility, I am confident about visiting new places

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

When visiting a new place, it is easy to find disabled access information about it beforehand

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

I have experienced a disappointing trip or have had to change my plans because of poor accessibility

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

There are good child friendly outdoor recreation places in County Kilkenny.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

There is good signage at the outdoor recreation venues in County Kilkenny (route finding signage, information panels).

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

There is good signage to bring you to the outdoor recreation venues in County Kilkenny.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

The outdoor recreation facilities I know in County Kilkenny are respectful of the environment (well designed, limited erosion, no litter).

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

8.Experiencing Outdoor Recreation How much do you agree with these statements?

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Outdoor recreation in County Kilkenny is usually not overcrowded with too many visitors.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

Most people act responsibly on outdoor recreation trails in County Kilkenny (respect to landowners, litter, avoid bad behaviour, park considerately, and control their dogs).

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

I feel safe taking part in outdoor recreation activities.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

Outdoor recreation in the county is dog friendly.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

9.Which, if any, are barriers to you accessing outdoor recreation in County Kilkenny? (please select all that apply)

Not able to get into the venue (e.g. lack of ramp or directions)

Not able to get around the venue (e.g. narrow pathways, too little space or poor layout)

There was no access to an appropriate toilet

A lack of accessible transport options to the venue

A lack of appropriate parking available

Please comment as appropiate

10.Awareness and Participation. To what extent do you agree with the following outdoor recreation awareness and participation statements?

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

There is good information on how to take part in outdoor recreation in County Kilkenny like information points, online material, and advertising.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

I know about several outdoor recreation events or activity programmes in County Kilkenny that I can take part in.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

It is easy to take part in a variety of different outdoor recreation activities in County Kilkenny.

Very true

Somewhat true

Unsure

Generally not true

Not true at all

N/A

Please comment as appropriate.

11.What else might be done to improve the experience of the outdoors in County Kilkenny?

12.Where do you live?

North East Kilkenny (Castlecomer, Dunmore, Paulstown, Byrnesgrove areas).

North West Kilkenny ( Ballyraggart, Gathabawn, Johnstown, Urlingford, Tullaroan, Jenkinstown

Kilkenny City

South East Kilkenny (Gowran, Goresbridge, Bennetsbridge, Thomastown, Inistioge, Glenmore, Kilmacow

South West Kilkenny (Kilmacow, Mullinavat, Stonyford, Knocktopher, Callan, Wingap, Pilltown area).

Neighbouring County (Carlow, Wexford, Tipperary, Waterford, Laois).

Dublin

Elsewhere in Ireland

Northern Ireland

Great Britain (other than Northern Ireland).

Mainland Europe

Elsewhere

13.Do you use or have experience of: (please select all that apply)

Wheelchair

Mobility Scooter

Cane

Assistance Dog

Sign Language

AAC

Speech Impairment

Autism

Learning Disability

Powerchair

Walking Aid

Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant

Hidden Impairment

PMLD

Dementia

Other (please specify)

14.What is your approximate age?

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

15.What are your contact details (optional)

Full Name

Organisation name if relevant

Email Address (or Phone Number)

Can we contact you with updates and clarifications on this outdoor recreation plan ("Yes" or "No").

Thank you for your time and thoughts. If you wish to comment further, email us at Maeve@ilc.ie