Picnic

Question #2: What are your main reasons for attending a Conservation Day Picnic?

1. used to be more important - now no one goes.

2. Families do not seem to attend

3. Kids shouldn=t be encouraged to attend this function?

4. Who brings their family?

5. This is absurd - why bring your family to something like this year=s picnic.

6. not when school is still in session!

7. Never - Family out of place - expensive - did once

8. Who can afford to bring the whole family?

9. Too expensive

10. Not fun for family anymore.

11. Can=t afford to even take spouse

12. I usually work 4.5 hours anyway

13. to be outdoors

14. be outside in park @ picnic

15. food, beer

16. volleyball w/ DEC friends/ used to swim @ Sar Spa S Park

17. relax & have fun

18. play volleyball, eat drink & be merry!

19. Activities - before at Present location - Saratoga - good, Elks Club bad.

20. PEF subsidized

21. Lots to eat

22. Food & beer

23. For picnic for god sake, what kind of dumb question is it

24. Chance to be outside/active

25. When it was in Saratoga, I went because I love that park. Now I hate the location, so only go to get out of work.

26. Support Dept activities

26. Great outdoor BBQ, drinking, a fun time.

28. Chance to play gold in a.m. and picnic in p.m.

29. Volleyball & softball

30. See people from other floors

31. Food & drink

32. Outdoor activities & fun.

33. Volleyball/Horseshoes, etc.

34. Get outdoors

35. To be out on a nice day in a pretty location, having fun.

36. Lunch & entertainment at a good price.

37. Don=t have to pack a lunch.

38. Be outside, food, activities

39. If the venue changes back to Saratoga, I will again start attending.

40. Play volleyball (3)

41. To get wasted.

42. Have a beer or two with fellow employees.

43. Drink heavily.

44. The only real justification for the Stete to “give” you ½ day off. Not having to charge time doesn’t hurt.

45. Used to be a family fun day.

Question #3: If you don’t attend, why not?

1. It is not FREE!

2. Too expensive, no longer at Saratoga.

3. Cost is too much - you have to be kidding!

4. Too costly.

5. Too expensive (5 comments)

6. Was just never interested.

7. Busy...

8. Too expensive for typical cookout food and not that much to do. Don=t know too many people attending.

9. Only been twice since at Elks - don=t like location. Too much money for non-drinker (especially with no subsidy)

10. Bad location, gotten stale

11. Might not in the future - music ridiculously loud, and most senior staff/execs didn=t even bother showing . The commissioner entreats us to go but doesn=t show? Great example!

12. High cost and poor choice of food/bev

13. Did not attend this year, I do not like the location and choice of food.

14. Same thing, year after year. Same so-so food, same crummy facility, same mind-numbingly loud obnoxious music.

15. Because I got laid off on Conservation Day in 1996. (And everyone went anyway and had a good time, with no consideration for those who were affected.)

16. Same old same old.

17. I don=t know

18. Don=t like it.

19. No interest

20. Don=t care too

21. Last picnic I went to SUCKED!

22. It=s too much like work.

23. drinking/weather/travel/too old?

24. Location & cost. Many co-workers no longer go.

25. Location and cost. Music overwhelms pavilion.

26. Way too much $$$, bad location

27. Don=t like bad food at high price, regardless of who is there.

28. This year 1- had enough of Elks Club site, 2- Not PEF price break

29. Expensive, lack of vegetarian food choices, location.

30. bad food, bad location, high cost

31. Too expensive, bad location, music too loud, hard to talk.

32. Poor quality food, location (Elks Club) not appealing, better things to do.

33. Other plans

34. conflicting event or schedule

35. I attend the Air Resources Picnic.

36. The years I did not attend, it was due to short notice.

37. Missed it this year for the first time due to late notification - had other things planned for that day.

38. Any I have not attended I have been out of town

39. I=m a vegetarian - burgers dogs, chicken aren=t on my diet; I=m not a big drinker (of beer/alcohol); I=d rather have a microbrew pint than guzzle budweiser (or comparable) at conservation day.

40. Haven=t attended last 2 picnics - Food is fit for a dog!

41. Inconvenience (proximity to home) 2. Venue

42. Usually too busy at work, tickets are too expensive

43. Cost; too much work to finish, too many drunk people after the first hour

44. Could not afford high ticket price/had to some other thing including work.

45. Current location is bad, food is adequate at best, music too loud, few of my friends still go because of above - no place to get away from annoying karaoke & drunken karaoke singers.

46. Busy at work

47. I=d rather work

48. My workload remains constant despite going to picnic or not. I may as well do the work now instead of catch up later.

49. This year’s picnic looked like those who planned it really didn’t care to make it nice. If the planners took pride in making a fun picnic, people would start to stay around like they used to do.

50. $

51. Ticket cost not subsidized.

52. I don’t like the Elks!

53. Do not like Colonie Elks location.

54. Lack of PEF discount.

55. Cost was not subsidized.

56. Very few people I know attend the picnic. I do not mix well with people I do not know.

57. I went to the Latham Cons Day. Did not like the place or the food. Will not go back.

58. Location, there is nothing to do but eat at the Colonie Elks location. And it is not conducive to bringing a family.

59. Music is too loud, Elks Club is boring.

60. Have not attended recently because the location, food & activities do not promote a family fun day or socializing with DEC co-workers.

61. Bad food, bad location, high cost.

62. I don’t care for the changes, so have not been since we moved to B-way.

63. Cost.

64. In the past, Saratoga was too far from Albany. Elks Club is a terrible facility, waste of money for what you get.

65. Food stinks, boring.

66. Not enough office participation.

67. I don’t know what it is.

68. I don’t know, no date?

69. The kegs are too warm.

70. Cost per benefit(s).

71. Usually working at camps.

72. Don’t know anyone.

73. High cost. DAR charges $10 only against DEC’s $20/-.

74. Many of my peers no longer attend/too much drinking.

75. Costs too much, food lines too long.

76. Last couple of years, the picnic had no appeal. As a non-drinker, cost is high for what you get.

77. There was never a big draw to make me go.

78. I have missed Conservation Day because of a family commitment.

79. I skipped this year’s cons. Day due to high ticket price and squabbles with P{EF.

80. Other obligations.

81. In the last two years, I haven’t attended due to the poor facility (Elks Club). This has been an insult to DEC employees!

82. I have attended 2 picnics at the present location and cannot hold a conversation inside. Outside is also not a pleasant environment. I prefer Saratoga or some other park (maybe near the Hudson or Mohawk River).

83. The last one a year ago (or so?). The food was sometimes OK and sometimes not OK. Salads in containers that were deep trash (plastic) baskets.

84. The location & format is unappealing.

85. Sometimes other activities or job conflict.

86. Work related issues – too much of it.

87. I don’t like the new venue - Elks.

88. I think the pavilion at the Elks is too small, which makes it too loud for me.

89. Location inconvenient when in Saratoga; never got in habit when moved to Latham.

90. Music too loud. Not in Saratoga Park anymore.

91. I liked it better at Saratoga Park – better atmosphere.

92. Current location, facilities, music & food suck.

93. Not that much fun.

94. Too expensive. Should charge significantly less for those who don’t drink. Cost not worth quality of the food. Could get a really nice sit down meal anywhere for that price, not burgers & dogs!

95. Work/boring

96. Prefer to attend division picnic

97. This year – too much work in the way, and the food (based on last year) was not very good.

98. Location & cost. Music overwhelms pavilion.

99. Have not liked the location

100. Bad food/poor location/crowded/poor price for value.

101. If the venue changes back to Saratoga, I will again start attending.

102. Save money.

103. The new location sucks & the food’s even worse.

104. Location.

Questions #4: What activities would make a good picnic?

Presentation/Exhibit Suggestions

1. Offers nature trails: Elks is just a picnic site

2. Better suited, less closed in, more to do.

3. All round nicer place, more to do.

4. Nice venue

5. Nice park, convenient for me

6. Nice setting, Nearby recreational facilities

7. Nicer setting, more activities (pool, trains, Saratoga close by)

8. Nicer and more room

9. Nicer facilities

10. By far the best area. All events can easily be held there.

11. Nicer atmosphere

12. Better facilities

13. Better location.

14. Better location

15. Nicer location

16. Nicer location, more room

17. Much nicer venue - overall - and it’s a state facility, get it?

18. Much nicer facility - more room for walks, etc

19. More to do, nicer surroundings.

20. Nicer facilities, better picnic atmosphere, feels more like a get-away from the office

21. SSP is a very nice place to spend time

22. It’s nicer there and they have a pool

23. Nice place to spend the afternoon & bring family. Elks has nothing to offer

24. The Environment is supposed to be part of Conservation Day.

25. A much nicer place, and only another 20 minutes drive (or less).

26. playground, trails, pool

27. Scenery/Surroundings

28. Swimming Pool, proximity to Saratoga Springs

29. Sports field, nice setting for walk or bike ride.

30. Do you have to ask? There is no comparision!

31. Should “rotate” to various venues, but SSP has pool, trails, & is close to my house.

32. Great outdoor spaces, nice place to spend the day!

33. Can do a variety of activities that won’t interfere with the parking.

34. Atmosphere

35. More conducive to picnic atmosphere.

36. Better atmosphere for picnics, swimming.

37. Better location for picnic, better options for after picnic.

38. More park like atmosphere, better facilities.

39. Beautiful location

40. It is a beautiful park and I can walk around a lot.

41. Beautiful layout, lots of space for various activities, golf available, safe for kids.

42. More things to do and the beauty of the Park

43. More nature- type setting

44. Natural setting

45. Hands Down!!! Much more to do. Much nicer setting.

46. park setting, nature trails, gold course, very attractive

Much better surroundings in a park atmosphere. Plus there are other activities available in or ear the Saratoga State Park.

48. more options - I live north

49. larger area, better pavilion

50. It’s more open and it feels like a REAL picnic.

51. Facilities are much more expansive, 1. Bike/Skate trails, 2 Golf Course

52. closer to home & has more game/activity options

53. I live 2 miles from SPAC, support our parks.

54. Both are just fine, but shade would be nice

55. It’s less convenient but otherwise is far superior - grounds, other things to do, etc, etc

56. For a change

57. Time for a change.

58. There would be more to do (spacewise to play games) and walk around.

59. Other activities available

60. Open to more activities, better location for a picnic.

61. Great golf course & picnic area.

62. More to do - both during AND after picnic. More of a treat - something special.

63. More things to do, more room, pleasant surroundings

64. It is a better facility and more activities could be conducted (golf, swimming, etc.)

It is a beautiful place to hold it wiht many options for those who choose to make a day of it. I.e. golf, hiking, swimming, tennis, etc. Attendance was also much better there imporving the quality of the event thru participation.

I was disappointed when I heard the picnic was moved from the St Park to the Elks Club after our move downtown. I think the Park is overall a nicer place and employees can play golf, walk, hike, bike, etc. at the park.

67. Park offers enhanced recreational opportunities.

68. It’s nice scenery there.

69. Golf.

The open pavilion design makes for better socializing.

71. Closer to home, nicer park, state land.

72. Closer to home - Elks club is OK

73. Music doesn’t sound as loud in pavilion, places to take walks, more shaded areas.

Music Volume!!! Open pavilion allows sound to escape & would prefer Elks if music lower volume or started later.

75. In my opinion it’s a nicer space but the Elks Club is fine with me.

76. Lots of space, amenities

Problems with Saratoga Springs State Park

Comments were related to distance from work or home – found in other areas of document.

Comments in Favor of the Elks Club:

is just a picnic site

Suggested Alternate Venues (followed by individual(s) recommending)

Albany Riverfront Park, rent out Riverboat Restaurant: anonymous

Cherry Plains State Park:

Colonie Town Park:

Corning Preserve/Park along the Hudson River

The Crossings:

Encon Parks:

Five Rivers

Grafton SP:

Herberts - Birch Hill (2)

Krauses: (2)

L.G. Battlefields:

Lanthiers Grove:

NYS Parks:

Sacandaga DEC Campsite:

Schodack Island State Park

Thatcher -

West Albany IBS:

Comments regarding “Other” locations:

ualities of other locations:

We need a change - the picnic has declined in recent years.

Use State Park or Encon Park:

Encon Park: so there are no rental fees.

One of our own parks, time for a change.

Sacandaga DEC Campsite?, not a barn with limited access

Any State Park.

Rotate venues - try for convenience

Try different locations each year for 3-4 years, then evaluate pros/cons.

Should not be in same location or caterer more than 2 years in a row

Other rotating venues (based on geographic distribution of DEC employees)

Various locations since people are coming from all across the capital district.

We could go to EnCon run parks. Why not use a different location every year to familiarize the employees to what we at EnCon are responsible for.

Pick someplace big & has a variety of things to do w/ natural settings:

Some place big (Thatcher, Grafton or other State/City/Muni park) ride bikes, hike, sit alone and ponder! Thatcher also has a pool

A place where canoeing/kayaking is possible.

Other nice park. (Having variety of things to do in nice natural setting would be more likely than at Elks club)

Public parks have a variety of things to do - swimming, hiking, etc.

5 Rivers is appropriate to “theme”, shady, ambient adaptable to suggested activities.

Parks in capital district area - current facility lacks aesthetics

Any that can accommodate 500-600 people

The Environment is supposed to be part of Conservation Day.

Any grove/picnic area that can provide activities.

Thatcher is a much nicer facility - more room for walks, etc.

Other nice park. (Having variety of things to do in nice natural setting would be more likely than at Elks club)

Proximity

A more central location - park setting.

Somewhere in the City of Albany

Pick location around Albany. Saratoga is too far away.

Close to work

Colonie Town Park - centrally located

Thatcher has a woodsy area but not as far as Saratoga.

location similar to Saratoga for activities but less of a drive.

Anywhere but Elks Club - Saratoga may be too far for some people.

Within 15 minutes drive of 625 Broadway.

Want it close to work. Location does not matter other than that.

Krause’s, Corning Preserve, West Albany IBS, Close to work.

Corning Hudson is convenient - walking distance

Stay 20-30 minutes to work

Somewhere closer

Crossings, T-Colonie Town Park - more variety of things to do and not too far.

It seems like Albany has several adequate facilities to Choose from, Lanthiers Grove, Corning Preserve, etc.

Lanthier’s Grove or Thatcher Park - Better amenities than Elks Club, not as far away as Saratoga.

Quackenbush Parking Lot - ambience

Pump Station Parking Lot - close to work & microbrews

Water Street Parking Lot (so I can eat lunch on the way to my car)

Shouldn=t you ask where people live to make a sense of this question

Question #6: Music Preferences? Other_________

1. Live music: dobros, banjos, fiddles - I=d be interested in knowing what people really think about this one.

2. (Have) all 4 (preferences) but rotate them 1^st 2 hour5s of folk, then DJ, etc.

3. Are we trying to increase the cost or what

4. Talent shows

DJ early, band later

If acoustic/folk - throughout the day, if ADJ@ party music, have evening only.

Don=t care.

Live music - selected bands - light rock, classic rock, country.

Live music good, but would increase the price of ticket.

Keep music contained - not everyone wants music.

Questions #8: Band/DJ recommendations?

1. Timing:

Picnic should end by 5:00 to keep cost down

Start around 2pm

Music should start around 4:00.

Have music throughout the day, but not necessarily constant

Have music throughout the day, but quieter

2. None:

None, save some money

None necessary

Please spare us

3. Volume

Turn down the music!

Music is too loud!

Music was too loud.

Lower the *#&% volume!!!

The music this year (2004) was so loud, I found it impossible to talk to people, so I would suggest quieter music if we had to have it.

Lower the volume!

Music throughout the day at a volume where you can carry on a conversation.

not so loud! I was seated at farthest table from DJ & had to scream to carry on a conversation.

Able to make requests to turn down the volume.

Please don=t play so loud! Some of us may want to TALK!!

QUIET

(Have live music/acoustic/folk) Low volume music!

Music is too Loud!

Not as loud as this year=s.

(music throughout the day) but not so loud that you cannot talk to others. The music

should be background, not overwhelming everything else.

(music throughout the day) not too loud

Reasonable vol. levels until after dinner

(music throughout the day) but at different levels - quieter during the day. How about some smooth jazz while eating

The DJs lately have stunk. It=s been Aall about them@, i.e. loud music to the point you have to leave to talk

Just bring a stereo, DJ is a waste of money, band not worth it unless more people stay longer.

The ideal situation would be to have a DJ from noon to say 4:00 pm then have a band from 5 or 6 to 9 pm. If that becomes too costly, then having a band from 5 pm to 9 pm would work. This would help to keep people at the picnic later. A good band will boost attendance.

6. Karaoke for an hour or so - late in the day. OMG no has been horrible, get a modern music DJ

Bobby Stillwell www.bobbystillwell.com great entertainer, musician & DJ (from CSEA)

No music, save some money, please spare us (on band/DJ recommendations), jam band is a bad idea.

Questions #10: How would you rate the quality of the catering service used for the past two picnics? Why_______

Emily=s II is fine w/ me. Warm food=s warm & cold food=s cold - plenty of cold drink options.

Moderately High

Pretty good for the most part - hard to get perfection with this much food. Note I would like to have a choice of lunch only, at a lower price.

Moderate

Did not attend this year but last year there seemed to be good variety and everything I had tasted good.

Low

Uncooked meat, chicken by products, not enough of alcohols they said they would have.

In 2004 dessert/cookies weren=t served/out until after I left even though I asked for them twice

The food didn=t seem like a picnic at all... one of the workers dumped whatever sh served right on top of whatever else was already on my plate. Small glasses made the lemonade useless.

Not a good selection, poor quality, wait way too long to put what they call dessert out.

Did not go - previous food was moderate - too many choices was too much for caterer to do all of them well

I did not attend the last two picnics - was not happy with the 2 picnics before. The food @ Saratoga picnics was much better. Also the ambience. Before it moved I went to every picnic.

I don=t believe food is needed all day long (as it is currently offered). I think we should go back to offering lunch (say noon - 2pm) hot dogs, burgers, sausages, etc - then dinner from 5pm - 7pm. I think this will help keep people later and allow time between meals for games, etc. and be more cost effective. A good food plan will boost attendance.

(Paraphrase) too many choices chicken sandwiches, chicken parmesan, etc. - less will reduce cost.

22. Food was very good all around - there are many to choose from in the Capital District.

25. Anyone who can have food ready, at a reasonable time & keep it coming for late arrivals

9. Reduced price for vegetarians, Morning Star, veggie burgers, veg lasagne, cheese tortellini, spinach/feta cheese/pasta

12. Eggplant parmesan, pasta salads, bocca burgers, hummus dip, falafel - pocket sandwiches, cheese/cracker platter, dark green salad, fruit/fruit salad.