Management Learning Laboratories Final Report Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment M anagement L earning L aboratories March 2006

Management Learning Laboratories Method used in the needs assessment Focus groups with different segments of the community Questionnaire development Adult data collection with 13.5% response rate Youth data collection in schools

Management Learning Laboratories Method used in the needs assessment Aggregate analysis of the adult data and youth data Production of a final report

Management Learning Laboratories Major Findings

Management Learning Laboratories Recreation Categories: Participation and Interest Special Events41%(80%) Outdoor Fitness42%(77%) Self-Improvement23%(77%) Passive recreation37%(72%) Performances40%(71%) Indoor Fitness36%(71%)

Management Learning Laboratories Use Levels Historic sites Fairgrounds Trails Picnic facilities Waterfront parks Playgrounds Swimming pools Athletic fields/courts

Management Learning Laboratories Reasons for non-use Lack of information42% Unclear about the opportunities offered39% Not interested in what is provided37% Inconvenient timing28% I do not have the time23% Prefer other facilities21% Hours of operation21% Inconvenient location20%

Management Learning Laboratories Time and Availability

Management Learning Laboratories Information Direct mail of brochure93% Newspaper articles72% Recreation Website71% Newspaper advertisements65% Newspaper inserts64% 59% Brochures, flyers or posters55%

Management Learning Laboratories Opinions about Recreation (About 60% or more agreed:) Well-maintained parks add to the quality of life in the community (98%) The JCPRD should provide activities where the whole family can participate (84%) There needs to be greater emphasis on active recreation (72%) There is a need for more teen programs (67%)

Management Learning Laboratories Opinions about Facilities (About 60% or more agreed:) I would support lighted facilities to extend hours of facility use (78%) I feel safe in the parks (70%) The park facilities I visit are clean and well maintained (66%) I prefer smaller parks closer to my home over a large centralized park (66%) The parks I visit are conveniently located (60%) There is a need for more athletic fields (60%)

Management Learning Laboratories Areas of Need (Facilities) Community Centers80% Year round swimming facility78% Playgrounds78% Indoor exercise facility75% Bike trails72% Walking trails72% Indoor walking track69% Senior Center66% Tennis courts66% Nature Center66% Exercise machine59% Mountain Biking trails54%

Management Learning Laboratories Areas of Need (Programs) Concerts79% Fireworks73% Special Events65% Soccer63% Holiday Programming61% After-school Programs61% Ice skating58% Volleyball58% Gymnastics57% Dance programs56% Baseball55% Football54% Land acquisition54% Teen dances54% Teen concerts53%

Management Learning Laboratories Funding sources suggested 1.Bonds to be paid by voter approved property taxes 2.Sales Taxes 3.Corporate sponsorship and donations 4.Grants from state, federal, & private sources 5.Private individual donations 6.Program user fees for recreation programs 7.Taxes in general

Management Learning Laboratories Youth Recreation: Participation and Interests Sports and Athletics57%(75%) Outdoor Fitness44%(65%) Family Programs34%(51%) Adventure activities32%(63%) Indoor Fitness31%(53%)

Management Learning Laboratories Youth Opinions about Recreation (About 60% or more agreed:) There is a need for more teen programs There is a need for more athletic fields The JCPRD should provide activities where the whole family can participate I feel safe in the parks

Management Learning Laboratories Youth Areas of Need Game rooms81% Paintball77% Teen concerts76% Special Events75% Concerts75% Football74% Fireworks73% Year round swimming facility71% Teen dances71% After-school programs66% Skatepark64%

Management Learning Laboratories Youth Reasons for non-use Not interested 52% I do not have the time51% Cost43% Lack of transportation42% Inconvenient timing41% Lack of information41%

Management Learning Laboratories Youth Information Cable TV Public access61% 58% Direct mail of brochure54% Brochures, flyers 54% Radio53% Newspaper 50% Recreation Website50%

Management Learning Laboratories Questions and Comments For more information contact Ananda Mitra at: (