Visitor Demographics and Perceptions of the CSU Perennial Demonstration Garden
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sam Altaffer, Chad Miller
Presenter(s): Sam Altaffer
Mentors(s): Chad Miller
The Perennial Demonstration Garden, relocated to its current site in 2016, is a small-scale botanical garden showcasing a diverse collection of native and non-native perennial plant species. As the garden finishes its 8th year at this location, there is an increasing focus on enhancing the visitor experience. This research aimed to gather visitor feedback through the design and implementation of a survey, addressing key aspects such as how visitors discover and engage with the garden, space improvement suggestions, preferences for native species, and accessibility concerns. The survey results indicate that the majority of visitors are aged 50 or older, predominantly female, and primarily local to the Fort Collins area. While many visitors use the garden for learning (45.6%), others engage in relaxation (28.2%) or brief visits (26.2%). Key areas for improvement include expanded plant identification resources, increased signage on native species and pollinator benefits, and accessibility enhancements such as improved pathways and clearer labeling. Statistical analyses revealed significant relationships between visit frequency and garden utilization (p = 0.029), age and learning engagement (p = 0.056), and race and garden utilization (p = 0.032). These insights will help guide the development of the garden and its integration into the broader vision of the Garden and Art District.