12-06-2018 Parks & Rec Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION December 6, 2018 recreation programs for children were excellent or good. 85% of survey respondents felt that recreation programs for adults were excellent or good. When asked how city services are valued 90% of respondents said good or excellent. 78% of respondents said they feel safe walking alone at night. Of the 20% that said they felt unsafe walking at night, alone 29% said they felt unsafe walking on Rice Street , and 13% said they felt unsafe walking on the trails. 90% of respondents said current recreational facilities meet the needs of their household. 68% of respondents said they use City trails occasionally or frequently. Use of City trails significantly increased from 2011. When asked about meeting room space 70% of respondents said no or strong no to adding more meeting spaces. When asked to rate city communications 88% rated it as good or excellent. 39% said there primary source of communication was the City Newsletter and 25% said it was the City Website. The Community Services Manager concluded that the survey received very positive results and staff will continue to strive for even better results. Darling noted that some of the responses to questions didn’t really align. She explained some responses showed there was a desire for improvement, but responses to additional questions showed residents were unwilling to pay for that improvement. Councilman Fischer stated this is one reason education of potential projects is important. He explained informing residents can share the added benefits of project. Chu asked why some residents don’t receive the Le Petit. The Community Services Manager stated 76% of respondents recalled receiving the paper, but he wasn’t sure how multifamily units received the newsletter. The Community Services Manager said he would check with staff to ask how it is delivered. Councilman Fischer stated the results showed that residents were happy with the level of service they were receiving, so the Commission’s job would be to maintain that level of service and incrementally continue to improve it to keep up with surrounding communities. The Community Services Manager explained that staff had created a report of program history over the last ten years. He reported activities including after school golf and after school basketball had been popular for one or two years, but since have not been able to be offered due to a lack of interest. The Community Services Manager stated after school tennis has seen consistent participation and floor hockey, which is offered with the City of Maplewood, has also seen steady participation. He said archery lessons, and firearm safety have also seen steady participation. The Community Services Manager noted babysitter safety training was discontinued due to a significant increase in the cost of the program. He explained the City advertised youth pickleball for the first time in 2019, RECREATION PROGRAMMING HISTORY