SWOT+Analyses

=Strength/Weakness/Opportunities/Threat (SWOT)=

Analyses for various areas of effort are to be included here for comparison and examination of overlap and cooperative consideration.

Shawn Shifflett submitted this look at the overall project:



Chris Kollar submitted this examination of recreation matters

**SWOT Analysis - Raleigh Woods Recreation Component** __ Strengths: __


 * Including a recreation component will give the management plan / proposal a broader scope. Recreation at Lake Raleigh Woods would involve more North Carolina State University faculty, students, and the public.
 * Outdoor recreation opportunities on campus are limited. Lake Raleigh Woods would provide unique opportunities for people to interact with the environment in a sustainable manner.
 * North Carolina State University has a very distinguished, and well-rounded Recreation Department housed within the College of Natural Resources.
 * Previous outdoor recreation research has been done at Lake Raleigh Woods involving North Carolina State University faculty members.
 * Lake Raleigh Woods' trail systems have been mapped and are accessible.

__ Weaknesses __ :


 * There is a history of unmanaged recreation use at Lake Raleigh Woods. A system of trails has developed informally without proper design or involvement with North Carolina State University.
 * Uncertainty over which recreation activities will be permitted.
 * Latest mapped trail system is out of date and may not accurately reflect the trails that exist today.
 * Available soil surveys may not be accurate. Soil type is an important factor in trail design and for deciding which recreation activities are sustainable at Lake Raleigh Woods.

__ Opportunities: __


 * The Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NCSU has faculty teaching and performing research on trail use, design, and monitoring.
 * A recent federal grant (McIntyre-Stennis) has provided start up funding for two graduate students to perform outdoor recreation type of research in urban areas. This funding is a long term (5-10 years), continued research opportunity that could fit well in the future development of Lake Raleigh Woods.
 * Lake Raleigh Woods currently hosts a few recreation activities which can be monitored and evaluated to assist with future management plans.
 * The FOR 784, Environmental Impact Assessment students have the knowledge, experience, and resources to assess current trail conditions and help create a management plan for recreating at Lake Raleigh Woods.

__ Threats: __


 * A management plan that does not consider recreation use history at Lake Raleigh Woods could have serious environmental consequences. Informal trail and trail feature development has already occurred onsite and could continue into the future.
 * The Chancellor's residence is located near the trail system and access could be restricted.
 * Unknown boundaries of Lake Raleigh Woods leaves it susceptible to various, uncontrollable access points (trail heads).