The purpose of the County Laois Outdoor Recreation Action Plan is:
  • For a planned and coordinated approach between the many outdoor recreation stakeholders.
  • To prioritise County Laois’s outdoor recreation needs.
  • To ensure value for money from the public investment in outdoor recreation.
  • Align County Laois's priorities with the National Outdoor Recreation strategy, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, 2023-2027.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to inform the County Laois Outdoor Recreation Committee about the current use and profile of outdoor recreation in the county and the potential for future developments, from an accessibility perspective.

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.

Outdoor recreation does not include activities that take place in more formal outdoor settings, such as golf, soccer/GAA, or motorsports (scrambler bikes, speedboats).

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

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

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

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

  Most often Sometimes Rarely Never
By myself.
With a dog.
With a few close friends or family.
With teenage or younger children.
With an older person (55+)
With a carer/health care professional.
As part of a formal club.
Within a commercial activity provider setting.

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

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* 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
Trail walking
Open water swimming.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Rockclimbing
Hillwalking/Hiking
Mountain-biking
Gravel biking
Orienteering
Angling
Golf

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* 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 Laois are of good quality and well maintained.
Access for people with a disability is generally good at outdoor recreation places in County Laois.
Thinking about accessibility, I am confident about visiting new places
When visiting a new place, it is easy to find disabled access information about it beforehand
I have experienced a disappointing trip or have had to change my plans because of poor accessibility
There are good child friendly outdoor recreation places in County Laois.
There is good signage at the outdoor recreation venues in County Laois (route finding signage, information panels).
There is good signage to bring you to the outdoor recreation venues in County Laois.
The outdoor recreation facilities I know in County Laois are respectful of the environment (well designed, limited erosion, no litter).

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* 8. If there was one additional outdoor recreation facility, place or activity in County Laois that you would like to see, what and where, would that be?

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* 9. 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 Laois is usually not overcrowded with too many visitors.
Most people act responsibly on outdoor recreation trails in County Laois (respect to landowners, litter, avoid bad behaviour, park considerately, and control their dogs).
I feel safe taking part in outdoor recreation activities.
Outdoor recreation in the county is children friendly.
Outdoor recreation in the county is dog friendly.

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

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* 11. 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 Laois like information points, online material, and advertising.
I know about several outdoor recreation events or activity programmes in County Laois that I can take part in.
I am usually aware of upcoming outdoor recreation activities in County Laois, through advertising, social media etc.
If I want to get more involved in outdoor recreation activities, I am aware of how to do this through clubs or other activity providers.

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* 12. What else might be done to improve the experience of the outdoors in County Laois?

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* 13. Where do you live?

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

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* 15. What is your approximate age?

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

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