Use of focus groups in the design of recreation needs assessment questionnaires

Abstract

In Illinois, community recreation needs are met by Park Districts and Recreation Departments who maintain parks, community centers, and other recreation facilities. For planning purposes, occasionally, the recreation providers seek information about the recreation needs of the community and this requires the design and administration of a mail questionnaire. Focus groups become particularly useful in generating items for these questionnaires. In the studies described here, focus groups were conducted with recreation administrators, special interest groups, and members of the general public to elicit community-specific information about the needs and opinions of the community with respect to current and future recreation and leisure activities. The focus groups assisted in eliciting information about the specific needs, language, and history of the community being studied.