2026 Regional Parks and Trails Visitor Study
Your voice matters — share your experiences with us.
From May to September 2026, regional parks and trails visitors across the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area are invited to participate in a short survey about their visit. You may see trained data collectors in regional parks and trails throughout the summer. The information collected helps park agencies plan for funding, better understand visitors’ experiences, and improve the future of the Regional Park and Trail System for everyone.
The Metropolitan Council conducts the Regional Parks and Trails Visitor Study every five years to learn how people
use and experience parks and trails across the region. Wilder Research, an organization based in Saint Paul is our partner to administer the visitor survey. Met Council also works closely with regional park agencies that manage and operate parks and trails in the system. These partners help connect us to regional park and trail visitors to facilitate hearing a wide range of perspectives from different parts of the region.
Help us plan for what's next
Just a few minutes of your time can help shape the future of regional parks and trails. The study collects information about activities visitors participate in, how people travel to regional parks and trails, visitor experiences and satisfaction, and how often people visit the Regional Park and Trail System. This information helps improve planning, funding, and decision-making.
Make regional parks and trails better for everyone
Regional parks and trails are important places for recreation, leisure, health, and connecting with nature. Your participation helps park agencies make better decisions about the future of the Regional Park and Trail System.
The study helps park agencies:
- Understand how regional parks and trails are used.
- Improve facilities and visitor experiences.
- Plan for future growth in the region.
- Identify ways to make regional parks and trails more welcoming and accessible.
The study also helps ensure regional parks and trails serve people of all communities across the region.
Your voice matters
Your perspective helps ensure the study represents the many different people who enjoy regional parks and trails.
Wilder Research survey staff are approaching visitors at different regional parks and trails throughout the summer so the study reflects the wide variety of people who use the Regional Parks and Trails System.
Completing the survey is quick, easy, and flexible
The survey typically takes about 10–15 minutes to complete. Participation is completely voluntary.
The survey may be completed:
- On a tablet with or without staff.
- On your phone using a QR code, which offers you the opportunity to complete the survey later if you prefer or are passing through quickly (for example, while biking or running).
Privacy Protected
Your privacy is very important to us. The survey was designed to respect visitors' personal information and ensure that everyone can fully participate anonymously.
The survey does not:
- Ask for your name.
- Collect personal identifying information.
- Record addresses, phone numbers, or identification numbers.
- Request status or nationality.
All responses will be combined with other visitors’ responses and reported only in summary format. Individual responses are never shared. The information collected through this study will be used only to better understand how people use regional parks and trails and to help improve the system.
Survey responses are used for research and planning purposes only. Participation in the survey will not affect your access to parks, services, or programs.
About the 2021 Regional Parks and Trails Study
The Met Council partnered with Wilder Research to conduct the 2021 visitor study to measure satisfaction with the regional park system. This information was used to inform the Imagine 2050, the Met Council's regional development guide to evaluate and strengthen equitable usage of regional parks and trails, and to help determine formulas for park and trail funding.
5,405 visitors accepted the invitation to participate in the survey during their park or trail visit, a response rate of 52%. Visitors were surveyed at 114 park, trail, park reserve, and special recreation feature units across the regional system.
Surveys were administered May 31 to September 12, 2021, in proportion to park or trail visitation in 2019. Met Council staff checked the data for errors and analyzed the results. Staff from all 10 partner park agencies participated in a summer workshop series to add context to the results.