1. Asset Mapping Introduction Methods Data Analysis Results Discussion
Celeste Ramirez, Dustin Kuehler, Fidelmarcos Lopez, Estefania Lopez
Department of Health and Human Performance
Introduction
Methods
“From a community development perspective, it [asset mapping] helps to think of our communities in terms of their wealth—in people, things, services, and resources that they possess,”
-Dr. Diane Dorfman, Mapping Community Assets Workbook
Our purpose in analyzing the public, private, and non-profit establishments available in Winter Park, Florida was to pinpoint the areas in which the community excelled and the areas that had room for improvement. Once these sections were found we would have the ability to offer suggestions for overall neighborhood improvement.
Public parks, the Chamber of Commerce, on-line Yellow Pages, churches and local schools were analyzed to determine which agencies offered recreation services and which population they were accessible to. This information was added to a city RALA (Rural Active Assessment- Town Wide Appraisal Tool) then structured into an excel sheet based off of the following areas.
Sectors of Recreation Services:
Visual Arts
Performing Arts
Cultural Crafts
Health and Wellness
Martial Arts
Trips/Tours
Team Sports
Individual Sports
Golf
Racquet Sports
Safety Training
Natural and Cultural History
Aquatics
Social Recreation
Themed Special Events
Other
Total Population= 27,852
Children under age 5= 1,201
Elementary school-age 5-9= 1,421
Youth ages 10-19= 3,456
Adults 20-54= 12,385
Seniors age 55+ = 9,389
Gender: Female= 14,810 Male= 13,042
Average household income= $58,094
Race/Ethnicity:
White= 22,755
Hispanic or Latino= 1,943
Black or African American = 2,034
American Indian and Alaska Native= 35
Asian= 632
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander= 5
Some Other Race= 52
Two or More Races= 396
Data Analysis
Results
Discussion
There are some distribution problems in the city of Winter Park, Florida. We see this through the excessive opportunities for recreation on the western side of town and the lack in the more southern and northeast areas. There is a noticeable overlap in the amount of private schools due to the wealth in this community. The average household income in Winter Park is 58k, this affluence has a direct correlation with available leisure time for Winter Parks residents as whole. However, there is a serious lack of recreation services aimed towards the adult population beyond that of just fitness facilities.
We have decided that the best way for Winter Park, Florida to make the most of their assets is to invest more resources into the arts. Privately owned gyms or city parks are on just about every corner offering team sports, health and wellness education, aquatics, fitness opportunities and more, all while the few performing/visual arts facilities in town offer merely the option to spectate. While Winter Park does have several museums, these businesses do not actually provide any hands on opportunities. Areas such as cultural crafts are almost completely ignored, this is also true for citizens who would like the possibility to perform. The main theatre, The Winter Park Playhouse, is for aspiring child actors only. Developing this particular area could be as simple as hosting special events that are built around the idea of dance lessons, themed crafting, etc. By limiting the number of exercise facilities and expanding the available options for involvement of all age groups in the arts, Winter Park will become a better-rounded neighborhood.