Fairfax County residents say preservation of open space is the most important service that the Park Authority can provide.

“Parks are more important than anytime in the history of the system. Parks are used more today than anytime in the last 15 years,” said Ron Vine, a member of the consultant team who administered the survey.

The percent of Fairfax County households that have used the parks in the past year increased to 87 percent, up from 76 percent in 2004 and 82 percent in 2000. The national benchmark is 79 percent, said Vine.

Vine, project manager with consultant Leisure Vision/ETC Institute, helped Fairfax County conduct a parks needs survey to “provide statistically valid, objective and quantitative data reflecting public input relating to park and recreation needs.”

Preservation of open space and providing opportunities to improve physical health and fitness are the two most important services the Park Authority can provide, according to survey results.

This past March, 4,665 Fairfax County residents returned a survey sent to 15,000 randomly selected households. The completed surveys yield a 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of 1.4 percent.

County residents say they are most willing to fund expansion and renovation of walking and biking trails, the purchase of land to preserve open space, restoration of natural areas, and upgrading and renovation of existing park buildings.

Vine, who conducts surveys across the states, called the Fairfax County survey the second largest in the nation.

“Larger than Los Angeles and Atlanta,” he said.

Fairfax County parks are rated as excellent or good by 91 percent of households.

Overall satisfaction with county parks has declined, the survey showed. This year’s satisfaction rating was 57 percent, down from 74 percent in 2007.

“You are considered one of the top rated systems in the country,” said Vine. But, “Your public is saying, ‘Good is not good enough.’ You want to stay on top of this.”

Needs change rapidly because people recreate differently said Bill Bouie, chair of the Park Authority Board. He called the authority a $83 million business.

The three most important activities and programs are biking, hiking, walking, exercise/fitness, and special events and concerts, according to the survey. The three most important facilities are swimming pools, exercise and fitness facilities and gyms.

“We will continue to do more analysis,” said Judy Pederson, spokesperson for the Fairfax County Park Authority.