Improved Methods of Visitor Attendance Collection at Massachusetts State Parks

The team conducted research to help the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) improve their state park attendance collection methods. We divided the DCR\u27s parks into categories based on modes of public access to the facilities. Then we conducted a survey and phone interviews with state park directors across the nation to identify state of the art visitor attendance collection methods currently being employed throughout the nation. We used a performance characteristics scale to rate each method according to the categories of park access. Based on this scale, we recommended the most effective methods of tracking park attendance at various kinds of state parks to the DCR