About the Survey

This collaborative effort of local groups and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension was designed to assess how many people are using the Cheese Country Trail, the user characteristics, and the user perceptions of trail conditions. The final report is an overall evaluation of local economic impacts of this important recreational asset. 

In November 2010, the UW-Madison Division of Extension and dozens of volunteers began collectinging information regarding people who use the Cheese Country Trail. Information was collected using 1,000 randomly selected 2-hour time slots during the 12 month survey period. Eight intercept locations were chosen along the trail in Monroe, Browntown, South Wayne, Gratiot, Darlington, Calamine, Belmont, and Mineral Point. 

“The goal of the survey was to collect a representative sample of users and use pressure of the Cheese Country Trail along the more than 48 mile route from Monroe to Belmont and Mineral Point, said Dave Marcouiller, Recreation Planning Specialist with UW-Extension. “We did this through observation and intercept surveys.”

“Because we surveyed hundreds of trail users between November 2010 and October 2011, local users were made aware they may be chosen to fill out a survey,” added Tri-County Trails Committee member Jerry Guth. “Two trail users in each randomly selected two-hour slot were asked a series of fourteen questions. Answering the questions took about five to ten minutes.”

The Tri-County Trails Committee plans to use the results of the study to improve trail experiences for future users. The committee will also provide the resulting information to local communities, businesses, and counties to help create economic development related to the trail and its users. For more information regarding the Cheese Country Trail plans and backgrounds, please review the Sampling and Intercept Scheme.pdf. (11pgs)

Check out Green County Tourism’s website for information on enjoying the trails and outdoors in Green County

Survey Results

View the full 2012 report on Motorized Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Development within Trailside Communities.pdf (78pgs). There are also several summary fact sheets:

• Cheese Country Trail User Characteristics.pdf (2pgs)
• Economic Impact of the Cheese Country Trail.pdf (2pgs)
• Future Directions of the Cheese Country Trail.pdf (2pgs)

Press Releases from the Cheese Country Trail Research

The press releases from the Cheese Country Trail research study are available below.

• Cheese Country Trail Final Report Available.pdf (2pgs) (March 2012)
  • Shows summarized results from the entire report. 
• Cheese Country Trail Usage Up for May and June.pdf (2pgs) (July 2011)
  • Shows preliminary results for May and June 2011.
• Snowmobilers Spend More While on Trail.pdf (2pgs) (January 2011)
  • Shows preliminary results for December 2010. 
• November Preliminary Results for Cheese Country Trail Survey.pdf (2pgs) (December 2010)
  • Shows preliminary results for November 2010. 
• Year-Long Cheese Country Trail Study to Begin November 1.pdf (2pgs)(October 2010)
  • Discusses the year-long survey that will be conducted.