09-07-2017 Parks & Rec Commission Workshop Minutes

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be a high priority and acquiring new park land and natural areas was a low priority. Springer stated they had also received feedback for the proposed Wow Factor Park in Pioneer. She explained water play and winter activities scored well. Springer also showed the results from the wagon boards which had the phrase “In my park I’d like to have”. She summarized the comments which included a dog park, water feature, seating options, and multipurpose courts. Kost noted that since the dog park had just opened, many people may not yet have been aware. Springer discussed the online survey results with the Commission. She noted the survey had 207 participants with a 70 percent completion rate. Springer stated that under operation and maintenance almost all categories ranked “good”. She commented there was a large percentage of respondents that ranked signage and information as “fair”. Springer stated security had received mixed responses, and 10 percent ranked security as poor. Ray wondered if the responses had been influenced by recent events. Schletty noted it could have to do with many of the trails being very secluded. Councilman Fischer stated it wasn’t a surprising response since trail lighting and cameras were a high priority. Kost stated the majority of categories including mowing, trash removal, parking, green infrastructure all ranked “good” which was a positive indicator. Springer stated 55% of respondents wanted to see a connection to the Gateway Trail when asked which trail connections should be made in the City. She noted respondents could choose more than one answer. When asked which priorities the City should focus on in the future, Springer explained the top 10 responses out of 51 included hiking, trails, trail lighting, senior programming, playground, benches, educational classes, a dog park, and an indoor pool. Springer stated the question on whether various streets’ paved shoulders were acceptable for pedestrians showed that Keller Parkway was the most unacceptable shoulder and Edgerton was the next most unacceptable shoulder. She noted the answers between unacceptable and acceptable for both Edgerton and Keller were pretty evenly split and the same question for bicyclists showed the shoulders were more acceptable than for pedestrians. When asked if there were safe and convenient walking routes throughout the City, Springer stated, 55% of respondents indicated there were not. The same question for bicyclists received the same answer. Horwath noted Edgerton Street was recently widened to create a dedicated bike lane, but it still was very busy. He understood why people saw it as unsafe. Springer discussed the response to the question asking if Little Canada should create a wow park to show off the community and draw people to our city. She stated 55% of people said no, the City should not create a wow park. The City Administrator stated the question should have been worded differently to read