By Amanda Gadomski
A recent community recreation survey developed by the Pagosa Area Recreation Coalition (PARC) drew strong participation from Pagosa Springs and surrounding areas, receiving approximately 1,400 responses. The purpose of this survey was to better understand recreation use, participation, satisfaction, and willingness to pay for outdoor recreation in the PARC study area.
Survey results indicate that the passion for outdoor recreation is strong; 87% of residents get outside at least once a week during summer and 69% do so in winter. Popular summer activities include hiking, in-town trails and parks, and water sports like rafting and kayaking, while winter favorites are hiking, alpine skiing or snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
A results summary 25-PARC-Community-Survey-Resultscan be downloaded here.
While most people (about 95%) feel local recreation facilities are in good shape, maintenance issues persist. Respondents repeatedly flagged restrooms as a top concern, alongside trail erosion, vandalized signage, and overcrowded parking. Many pointed to spots like Turkey Springs and Coyote Hill as needing better management and trail upkeep. As use has surged since 2020, locals have noticed more litter and poor visitor etiquette. To address these issues, top priorities included protecting natural resources and wildlife, maintaining multi-use trails, and increasing stewardship efforts.
The community signaled strong support for investment: about 70% are open to paying $5–$8 per month for improved recreation opportunities and conservation. A majority favor funding through lodging tax increases, sales tax adjustments, or reallocating existing funds, rather than higher property taxes. Interest in volunteering remains high too — nearly 29% already pitch in, and 41% would like to get involved.
The survey results make it clear that while Pagosa Springs residents cherish their abundant recreation opportunities, they want smart management, better facilities, and responsible growth to preserve the outdoor experience for generations to come.
More information is available at PagosaPARC.org.
Amanda Gadomski is Recreation Supervisor, Town of Pagosa Springs