Visitors Are Satisfied With Badlands National Park

During the 1980s, Ed Koch, then mayor of New York City, was famous for starting press conferences with the question, "How am I doing?" Each year, Congress asks each unit of the National Park Service to do the same - ask its visitors how satisfied they are with their experiences in our National Parks. During 2003, 97% of visitors to Badlands National Park responded with an overall sense of satisfaction with facilities, services, and recreational opportunities at South Dakota's largest national park, a dramatic increase from the 89% satisfaction rate recorded in 2002. The survey was conducted during the month of July throughout the park as required by the Government Performance and Results Act, a Congressional act that requires federal agencies to report their annual accomplishments in consultation with the American people. Visitors responded most favorably to current roads and trails, assistance from park employees, park brochures, ranger programs, and sightseeing opportunities. A few areas received lower marks such as quality and number of campgrounds and picnic areas, availability of restrooms, and quality of exhibits. These areas received satisfaction levels of 77% to 88%, notably lower than the satisfaction with the interpretive and education services. The National Park Service is addressing these issues through the development of an exhibit plan for the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, to be implemented in 2004 and 2005, and plans for improved visitor facilities through the park's General Management Plan, currently in draft form and planned to be available for public review in early 2004.

Of equal importance to park staff is the visitor response to the question: Are visitors understanding the significance to the American people of Badlands National Park? 87% of visitors surveyed described the significance of the White River Badlands in line with the goals of the park's education outreach programs. The annual goal is for at least 75% of visitors to come away understanding the park's significance so Badlands has exceeded this goal for the second year in a row. The significance of Badlands National Park is as stated in the park's Strategic Plan and based on enabling legislation is: Badlands National Park was created to preserve the scenic and scientific value of a portion of the White River Badlands for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Natural processes have uncovered and displayed a concentrated collection of rutted ravines, serrated towers, pinnacles, and precipitous gulches. The park contains world renowned paleontological features and geological formations of the Eocene and Oligocene epochs with recognized scientific and educational value. This spectacular setting contains a fine example of a vast mixed grass prairie ecosystem. The landscape encompasses an 11,000 year legacy of human use and occupancy.

For more information on Badlands National Park and its activities, visit http://www.nps.gov/badl or call (605) 433 - 5245 and request a trip planner.