Community Attitude & Interest Citizen Surveyfaculty.wiu.edu/P-Schlag/articles/Urbana_Community... · 2010. 2. 8. · Citizen Survey Findings Report conducted for the Urbana Park District

Community Attitude & Interest Citizen Survey

Findings Report

conducted for the

Urbana Park District Urbana, Illinois

by

Leisure Vision (a division of ETC Institute)

725 W. Frontier Circle Olathe, KS 66061

(913) 829-1215

in association with

JJR

July 2006

Executive Summary

Executive Summary - 1

Community Attitude and Interest Survey

Executive Summary of Citizen Survey Results

Overview of the Methodology The Urbana Park District conducted a Community Attitude and Interest Survey during May of 2006 to help establish priorities for the future development of parks and recreation facilities, programs and services within the community. The survey was designed to obtain statistically valid results from households throughout the Urbana Park District. The survey was administered by a combination of mail and phone. Leisure Vision worked extensively with Urbana Park District officials, as well as members of the JJR project team in the development of the survey questionnaire. This work allowed the survey to be tailored to issues of strategic importance to effectively plan the future system. In May 2006, surveys were mailed to a random sample of 3,000 households in the Urbana Park District. Approximately three days after the surveys were mailed, each household that received a survey also received an electronic voice message encouraging them to complete the survey. In addition, about two weeks after the surveys were mailed, Leisure Vision began contacting households by phone, either to encourage completion of the mailed survey or to administer the survey by phone. The goal was to obtain a total of at least 600 completed surveys. This goal was accomplished, with a total of 696 surveys have been completed. The results of the random sample of 696 households have a 95% level of confidence with a precision of at least +/-3.7%. The following pages summarize major survey findings:


Visitation of Parks During the Past Year Respondents were asked to indicate if they or members of their household have visited any Urbana Park District parks during the past year. The following summarizes key findings: Ninety percent (90%) of respondent households have visited Urbana Park District parks during

the past year.


Physical Condition of Parks Respondent households that have visited Urbana Park District parks during the past year were asked to rate the physical condition of all the parks they have visited. The following summarizes key findings: Of the 90% of respondent households that have visited Urbana Park District parks during the

past year, 93% rated the physical condition of all the parks they have visited as either excellent (43%) or good (50%). An additional 6% of respondents rated the parks as fair, and 1% rated them as poor.


Reasons Preventing the Use of Parks More Often From a list of 10 reasons, respondents were asked to select all of the ones preventing them and members of their household from using parks of the Urbana Park District more often. The following summarizes key findings: “Security is insufficient” (10%) is the reason preventing the highest percentage of respondent

households from using parks of the Urbana Park District more often. Twenty-six percent (26%) of respondents indicated “other”. Respondents listed a variety of reasons for “other”, with the most frequently mentioned reason being “too busy/not enough time”.


Participation in Urbana Park District Recreation Programs Respondents were asked if they or members of their household have participated in any recreation programs offered by the Urbana Park District during the past 12 months. The following summarizes key findings: Thirty-eight percent (38%) of respondent households have participated in recreation programs

offered by the Urbana Park District during the past 12 months.


Participation in Different Recreation Programs Respondent households that have participated in recreation programs offered by the Urbana Park District during the past 12 months were asked to indicate how many different programs they have participated in during that time. The following summarizes key findings: Of the 38% of respondents that have participated in Urbana Park District recreation programs

during the past 12 months, 61% have participated in at least two different programs during that time.


Quality of Urbana Park District Recreation Programs Respondent households that have participated in recreation programs offered by the Urbana Park District during the past 12 months were asked to rate the quality of the programs they have participated in. The following summarizes key findings: Of the 38% of respondents that have participated in Urbana Park District recreation programs

during the past 12 months, 95% rated the programs as excellent (51%) or good (44%). In addition, 4% of respondents rated the programs as fair, and less than 1% rated them as poor


Ways Respondents Learn About Programs and Activities From a list of 14 options, respondents were asked to indicate all of the ways they have learned about Urbana Park District programs and activities. The following summarizes key findings: The Urbana Park District Brochure (81%) is by a wide margin the most frequently mentioned

way that respondents have learned about Urbana Park District programs and activities. There are two other ways that over 35% of respondents have learned about programs and activities, including: newspaper articles (41%), and from friends and neighbors (37%).


Reasons Preventing the Use of Programs More Often From a list of 15 reasons, respondents were asked to select all of the ones preventing them and members of their household from using programs of the Urbana Park District more often. The following summarizes key findings: “Program times are not convenient” (24%) is the reason preventing the highest percentage of

respondent households from using programs of the Urbana Park District more often. Thirty percent (30%) of respondents indicated “other”. Respondents listed a variety of reasons for “other”, with the most frequently mentioned reason being “too busy/not enough time”.


Organizations Used for Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Activities From a list of 12 options, respondent households were asked to select all of the organizations they have used for indoor and outdoor recreation activities during the past 12 months. The following summarizes key findings: The Urbana Park District (56%) is the organization used by the highest percentage of

respondent households. There are five other organizations used by over 20% of respondent households, including: University Illinois (43%), Champaign Park District (27%), churches (27%), neighboring cities/counties/state parks (24%), and private clubs (21%).


Organizations Used Most for Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Activities From the list of 12 options, respondent households were asked to select the three organizations they have used the most for indoor and outdoor recreation activities during the past 12 months. The following summarizes key findings: The Urbana Park District (51%) had the highest percentage of respondents select it as one of

the three organizations they have used the most during the past 12 months. Other organizations that the highest percentage of respondents have used the most include: University of Illinois (33%), churches (19%), Champaign Park District (17%), and private clubs (17%).


Level of Satisfaction with the Value Received from the Urbana Park District Respondents were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with the overall value their household receives from the Urbana Park District. The following summarizes key findings: Seventy-two percent (72%) of respondents indicated being either very satisfied (42%) or

somewhat satisfied (30%) with the overall value their household receives from the Urbana Park District. Only 3% of respondents indicated being either very dissatisfied (2%) or somewhat dissatisfied (1%) with the overall value received from the Urbana Park District. An additional 15% of respondents indicated “neutral” and 10% indicated “don’t know”.


Need for Parks and Recreation Facilities

From a list of 26 various parks and recreation facilities, respondents were asked to indicate which ones they and members of their household have a need for. The following summarizes key findings:

Six of the 26 parks and recreation facilities had over 55% of respondent households indicate

they have a need for it. These six facilities include: walking and biking trails (83%), small neighborhood parks (75%), large community parks (72%), nature center and trails (63%), picnic areas and shelters (60%), and wildlife areas/natural areas (59%).


Need For Parks and Recreation Facilities in Urbana

From the list of 26 parks and recreation facilities, respondents were asked to indicate which ones they and members of their household have a need for. The graph below shows the estimated number of households in Urbana that have a need for various parks and recreation facilities, based on 14,327 households in Urbana.


How Well Parks and Recreation Facilities Meet Needs

From the list of 26 parks and recreation facilities, respondent households that have a need for facilities were asked to indicate how well those facilities meet their needs. The following summarizes key findings:

For all 26 facilities, less than 60% of respondents indicated the facility completely meets the

needs of their household.


Urbana Households with Their Facility Needs Being 50% Met or Less

From the list of 26 parks and recreation facilities, respondent households that have a need for facilities were asked to indicate how well those facilities meet their needs. The graph below shows the estimated number of households in Urbana whose needs for facilities are only being 50% met or less, based on 14,327 households in Urbana.


Most Important Parks and Recreation Facilities From the list of 26 parks and recreation facilities, respondents were asked to select the four facilities that are most important to them and members of their household. The following summarizes key findings: Walking and biking trails (56%) had the highest percentage of respondents select it as one of

the four most important facilities. There are four other facilities that over 20% of respondents selected as one of the four most important, including: small neighborhood parks (37%), large community parks (33%), nature center and trails (25%), and wildlife areas/natural areas (23%). It should also be noted that walking and biking trails had the highest percentage of respondents select it as their first choice as the most important facility.


Need for Recreation Programs

From a list of 15 recreation programs, respondents were asked to indicate which ones they and members of their household have a need for. The following summarizes key findings:

Three of the 15 recreation programs had at least 30% of respondent households indicate they

have a need for them. These three programs include: adult fitness/wellness programs (48%), nature/environmental education programs (31%), and water fitness programs (30%).


Need For Recreation Programs in Urbana

From the list of 15 recreation programs, respondents were asked to indicate which ones they and members of their household have a need for. The graph below shows the estimated number of households in Urbana that have a need for various recreation programs, based on 14,327 households in Urbana.


How Well Recreation Programs Meet Needs

From the list of 15 recreation programs, respondent households that have a need for programs were asked to indicate how well those programs meet their needs. The following summarizes key findings:

For all 15 programs, less than 35% of respondents indicated the program completely meets the

needs of their household.


Urbana Households with Their Program Needs Being 50% Met or Less

From the list of 15 recreation programs, respondent households that have a need for programs were asked to indicate how well those programs meet their needs. The graph below shows the estimated number of households in Urbana whose needs for programs are only being 50% met or less, based on 14,327 households in Urbana.


Most Important Recreation Programs From the list of 15 recreation programs, respondents were asked to select the four that are most important to them and members of their household. The following summarizes key findings: Adult fitness/wellness programs (34%) had the highest percentage of respondents select it as

one of the four most important programs. Other programs that respondents selected as one of the four most important include: nature/environmental education programs (20%), water fitness programs (17%), and instructional swim lessons (17%). It should also be noted that adult fitness/wellness programs had the highest percentage of respondents select it as their first choice as the most important program.


Recreation Programs Respondents Currently Participate in Most Often From the list of 15 recreation programs, respondents were asked to select the four that they and members of their household currently participate in most often at Urbana Park District facilities. The following summarizes key findings: Special events (12%) had the highest percentage of respondents select them as one of the four

programs they currently participate in most often. The other programs that the highest percentage of respondents participate in most often include: nature/environmental education programs (11%) and adult fitness/wellness programs (11%). It should also be noted that adult fitness/wellness programs had the highest percentage of respondents select it as their first choice as the program they currently participate in most often at Urbana Park District facilities.


Use of Facilities at Crystal Lake Park and Busey Woods From a list of 16 facilities at Crystal Lake Park and Busey Woods, respondents were asked to indicate all of the ones their household has used during the past year. The following summarizes key findings: Walking and biking trails (50%) is facility that the highest percentage of respondent

households have used at Crystal Lake Park and Busey Woods during the past year. There are two other facilities that at least 35% of respondent households have used during the past year, including: picnic areas and shelters (35%) and Lake house and lake area (35%). It should also be noted that 71% of respondent households have used at least one of these facilities at Crystal Lake Park and Busey Woods during the past year.


Support for Improvements to Crystal Lake Park From a list of 12 improvements the Urbana Park District could make to Crystal Lake Park, respondents were asked to indicate their level of support for each one. The following summarizes key findings: Of the 12 possible improvements to Crystal Lake Park, there are five that over 40% of

respondents are very supportive of. These four include: add more security lighting throughout the park (51%), build more walking and biking trails (48%), add restroom facilities (47%), expand natural areas (44%), and improve lake area (41%). It should also be noted that 11 of the 12 improvements had over 50% of respondents indicate being either very supportive or somewhat supportive of them.


Improvements to Crystal Lake Park Respondents Would Use the Most From the list of 12 improvements the Urbana Park District could make to Crystal Lake Park, respondents were asked to select the four they would use the most. The following summarizes key findings: Build more walking and biking trails (45%) had the highest percentage of respondents select it

as one of the four improvements they would use the most. Other improvements that the highest percentage of respondents selected as one of the four they would use the most include: expand natural areas (27%), build an outdoor amphitheater (27%), upgrade picnic areas and shelters (26%), improve lake area (25%) and add restroom facilities (25%). It should also be noted that build more walking and biking trails had the highest percentage of respondents select it as their first choice as the improvement they would use the most.


Support for Improvements to the Overall Parks and Recreation System From a list of 11 improvements the Urbana Park District could make to the overall parks and recreation system, respondents were asked to indicate their level of support for each one. The following summarizes key findings: Of the 11 possible improvements to the overall parks and recreation system, there are three

that at least 50% of respondents are very supportive of. These three include: develop walking and biking trails throughout Urbana (60%), develop more wildlife and natural areas (50%), and renovate and improve existing neighborhood parks (50%). It should also be noted that 10 of the 11 improvements had over 50% of respondents indicated being either very supportive of somewhat supportive of them.


Improvements to the Parks and Recreation System Respondents Would Be Most Willing to Fund From the list of 11 improvements the Urbana Park District could make to the overall parks and recreation system, respondents were asked to select the four they would be most willing to fund with their tax dollars. The following summarizes key findings: Develop walking and biking trails (55%) had the highest percentage of respondents select it as

one of the four improvements they would be most willing to fund with their tax dollars. There are two other actions that over 35% of respondents selected as one of the four they would be most willing to fund with their tax dollars, including: renovate/develop existing neighborhood parks (45%) and develop more wildlife and natural areas (38%). It should also be noted that develop walking and biking trails had the highest percentage of respondents select it as their first choice as the improvement they would be most willing to fund with their tax dollars.


Allocation of $100 for Urbana Park District Parks and Facilities

Respondents were asked how they would allocate $100 among six categories of funding for Urbana Park District parks and facilities. The following summarizes key findings: Respondents indicated they would allocate $30 out of every $100 to the improvements/

maintenance of existing parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities. The remaining $70 were allocated as follows: acquisition and development of walking and biking trails ($22), improvements to Crystal Lake Park ($16), acquisition of new park land and open space ($14), development of new indoor recreation facilities ($9), and construction of new sports facilities ($6). The remaining $3 were allocated to “other”.


Voting on a Tax Referendum to Fund Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities Respondents were asked to indicate how they would vote on a tax referendum to fund the costs for the parks, trails, and recreation facilities that are most important to their household. The following summarizes key findings: Sixty-eight percent (67%) of respondents indicated they would either vote in favor (37%) or

might vote in favor (30%) of a tax referendum to fund the costs for parks, trails, and recreation facilities. In addition, 20% of respondents indicated “not sure”, 10% indicated “vote against”, and 3% did not provide a response.


Demographics


Demographics (Continued)





Community Attitude & Interest Citizen Surveyfaculty.wiu.edu/P-Schlag/articles/Urbana_Community... · 2010. 2. 8. · Citizen Survey Findings Report conducted for the Urbana Park District

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