Master Plan Project Community Survey Report, November 2015

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan Project Community Survey Report

November 2015

Stephen A. Wolter Executive Director Jeremy Hackerd Project Manager

Sally Pelto-Wheeler Project Team

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Contents COMMUNITY SURVEY REPORT ......................................................................................................................... 3 PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT ........................................................................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................................... 3 SURVEY METHODS .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Objectives ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Survey Population and Sample ................................................................................................................... 4 Survey Instrument and Distribution .............................................................................................................. 4 HOW THE SURVEY INFORMS KEY ISSUES ..................................................................................................................... 5 Trails ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................... 14 Social and Cultural Events ......................................................................................................................... 17 Safety/Perception of Crime ....................................................................................................................... 19 Health............................................................................................................................................................ 22 Youth Programs ........................................................................................................................................... 23 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 APPENDIX A.................................................................................................................................................... 26 SURVEY INSTRUMENT AND RESULTS .......................................................................................................................... 26 APPENDIX B .................................................................................................................................................... 47

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COMMUNITY SURVEY REPORT Purpose of This Report This report represents research findings specific to the statistically valid Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department community survey. It will ultimately inform the content of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, but this report does not necessarily constitute the final narrative that will be presented in the plan. Table 1 depicts the progression of research and planning for this survey.

Table 1: Topical Area Research Progression Research methodology approved Preliminary research and analysis complete All data obtained Draft report Preliminary department leadership review Technical Review Committee meeting comments Steering Committee meeting comments Department leadership review Topical Report research and analysis complete

Introduction A critical component of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update is civic engagement. Involving the public is essential to developing a plan that will receive the support of residents and that will inform the department in delivering community-oriented park and recreation services to its citizens. Overall, the civic engagement process being used for this plan aims to be balanced, open, and collaborative. A community survey developed by the Eppley Institute and the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department was conducted to gauge public opinion, interests, and beliefs about the current parks and recreation system in Bloomington and to guide its future direction. The survey is one part of a greater multi-dimensional effort to gather input throughout the community. Other public participation activities involved stakeholder interviews, public meetings, and online engagement.

Survey Methods Objectives The following objectives provided the framework for the survey component of public engagement by stating the nature of information needed to develop a comprehensive and well-grounded master 3

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

plan. The objectives were developed based upon input from the Eppley Institute’s research to date, preliminary stakeholder and staff engagement efforts, and best practices in survey development for master plans.

The objectives identified for the survey included: • Awareness of community parks and recreation resources, including the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and its facilities • Usage of those resources and facilities, particularly those of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department • Barriers (perceived and actual) to the use of parks and recreation resources, particularly those of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department • Association of parks and recreation resources with public health, environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability • Importance of having certain parks and recreation resources in the community • Satisfaction with community parks and recreation resources, particularly those of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department

Survey Population and Sample The population of the survey was defined as all individuals 18 years of age or older that maintained a primary residence in the study area (i.e., the City of Bloomington, Indiana and Monroe County, Indiana). Therefore, the survey population excluded minors 17 years of age or younger and those who considered Bloomington to be a secondary residence.

The Eppley Institute employed a probability sampling methodology for the survey. The sampling frame (i.e., source of population information from which the sample was drawn) was comprised of a listing of all households in the study area provided by M-S-G Marketing Services, Inc. of Horsham, PA. Populations that are traditionally under-represented in survey results, such as African Americans and Hispanics, were intentionally over-sampled in an effort to increase response rates.

The U.S. Bureau of the Census reported that the estimated 2013 population of the City of Bloomington was 82,575, and the number aged 18 or older (i.e., the survey population) was estimated to be 88.6% of the total population, or 73,161. For this study, findings are generalizable to the entire study population with a 95% confidence level and a 5% confidence interval.1 As such, a sample size of 382 was required for the study.2 To achieve the necessary number of responses (i.e., 382), and considering that up to 10% of mailed surveys are non-deliverable, M-S-G Marketing Services, Inc. drew a sample of 5,000 for the study.

Survey Instrument and Distribution Households included in the sample were mailed a postcard in mid-May stating they were randomly selected to participate. The postcard contained a URL that the recipient followed to complete the survey.

The confidence interval is sometimes referred to as the margin of error, and represents the range of values within which the true population is estimated to lie. Confidence level helps estimate the probability that the true population would fall within the confidence interval. So, in this research, we aim to be 95% certain that the true population would answer between +/-5 percentage points of each survey result.

2 Sources: http://www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm and http://www.macorr.com/sample-size-calculator.htm 1

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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

Each postcard featured a unique numeric identifier. Respondents completing the web-based survey were prompted to enter the unique identifier as one of the first questions. Only one response per unique identifier was accepted. This method ensured the integrity of the sample and also allowed for any member of the general public without a unique identifier to take the survey. However, responses from surveys without an identifier have been kept separate from those in the random sample and are not part of this report. The target length of the survey was not to exceed 15 minutes.

Distribution of the postcards began in mid-May with a follow-up postcard sent to members of the random sample a week before the survey closed on June 5. Originally, Eppley planned for a threeweek open period. Due to insufficient responses and delays in mailing of cards, Eppley and the Department extended the deadline to June 26 and sent a third postcard to prompt replies. A total of 388 useable surveys were returned, yielding a response rate3 of 7%. All survey results are presented in Appendix B.

How the Survey Informs Key Issues This section reviews select survey items that are relevant to emerging key issues to be considered in the Master Plan. Arguably, each question of the survey relates to these key issues, but part of the ongoing planning process, particularly the needs assessment, includes identifying what specific information is needed to address key issues. This report, therefore, serves as an initial step in determining what critical data from the survey could be used in developing solutions to the community’s needs. In this report, the Eppley Institute has identified six key issues for further consideration in the process. These issues are: • Trails o Respondents place a high value on the maintenance of current trails and the construction of new trails to connect areas of the city that currently do not feature trails.

• Maintenance o Respondents put an emphasis on the Department’s priorities in maintaining its parks and facilities to extend the useful lifecycle of its assets.

• Social/Cultural Events o Respondents value the Department’s programs and services that allow for socialization and entertainment.

• Safety/Perception of Crime o Respondents expressed concern regarding the safety of trails and two parks in particular, Seminary Park and Peoples Park.

• Health o Respondents value the Department’s facilities, parks, trails, programs, and services for the positive impact they have on respondents’ health.

• Youth Programs

The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) has multiple specific definitions for “response rate” using different variables. Several definitions call for reporting the total number of undeliverable, incomplete, late, or otherwise invalid responses. Although the established response period has closed, surveys continue to be returned as this report is being developed. At this time, we are reporting a simplified response rate of number of usable returned surveys divided by number of surveys distributed; the final master plan will report additional measures of response rate using AAPOR definitions.

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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Though many in the survey do not have people in their household who participate in youth programs, significant portions of the population recognize the value that these programs provide for the community.

Trails One of the most striking findings of the survey is respondents’ frequent use of trails and respondents’ interest in maintenance and expansion of trails within the City of Bloomington. The following questions and their responses illustrate the importance that respondents placed on trails.

Question #4 of the survey asks, “Do you USE this facility?” Results indicate: • That trails are ranked as the 1st (B-Line Trail), 3rd (Bloomington Rail Trail), 4th (Clear Creek Trail) and 7th (Jackson Creek Trail) most used Parks and Recreation Department facilities.

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Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan Figure 1: (Survey Question #4) “Do you USE this facility?”

Yes

No

B-Line Trail

80.70%

Burkirk-Chumley Theater

19.30%

69.38%

Bloomington Rail Trail

30.62%

56.77%

Clear Creek Trail

43.23%

44.52%

Bryan Park Pool

55.48%

38.64%

61.36%

Shelter houses in City Parks

35.55%

64.45%

Jackson Creek Trail

34.25%

65.75%

Frank Southern Ice Arena

26.80%

73.20%

Winslow Sports Park

26.44%

73.56%

Twin Lakes Recreation Center

26.03%

73.97%

Cascades Trail

23.02%

76.98%

Rose Hill Cemetery

22.26%

77.74%

Cascades Golf Course

14.29%

85.71%

Mills Pool

11.93%

88.07%

Olcott Park football/soccer fields

11.19%

88.81%

Wapehani Mountain Bike Park

11.15%

88.85%

Banneker Community Center 10.27%

89.73%

Twin Lakes Sports Park (ballfields) 8.28%

91.72%

Community Gardens (Willie Streeter, Butler Park) 6.62%

93.38%

Allison-Jukebox Community Center 6.48%

93.52%

Cascades Skate Park 5.26%

94.74%

Meeting/Function Rental Space

4.58%

95.42%

Crestmont Disc Golf Course

3.52%

96.48%

White Oak Cemetery 3.48%

96.52%

Question #4 Part II of the survey asks, “How important is it to you to have the following in Bloomington?”

Results indicate: • Trails are rated as three of the top four facilities in terms of importance to Bloomington.

• The B-Line Trail is listed as “Very Important” in 71.15% of responses, the most of any facility.

• Bloomington Rail Trail is listed as “Very Important” in 63% of responses, the second most of any facility.

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Community Survey Report •

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Clear Creek Trail is listed as “Very Important” in 58.55% of responses, the fourth most of any facility.

Figure 2: (Question #4 Part II) “How important is it to you to have the following in Bloomington?”

Not Very Important

Somewhat Important

B-Line Trail 3.95%10.28%

Very important

14.62%

Bloomington Rail Trail 4.76% 9.52% Burkirk-Chumley Theater

Important

3.13%10.71%

Clear Creek Trail 1.32% 9.87%

71.15%

22.22%

63.49%

22.77%

63.39%

30.26%

Winslow Sports Park 6.61% 12.40%

58.55%

24.79%

56.20%

Bryan Park Pool 4.61% 12.50%

26.97%

55.92%

Mills Pool 5.81% 11.63%

27.91%

54.65%

Jackson Creek Trail

1.56% 17.19%

28.91%

Community Gardens (Willie Streeter, Butler Park)

9.33% 9.33%

30.67%

50.67%

30.50%

50.35%

Shelter houses in City Parks 4.26% 14.89% Rose Hill Cemetery

52.34%

10.20% 11.22%

31.63%

46.94%

Twin Lakes Sports Park (ballfields)

7.41%

33.33%

45.68%

Frank Southern Ice Arena

5.74%

Cascades Trail

18.85%

Banneker Community Center

14.10% 9.30% 18.18%

Cascades Golf Course

18.68%

White Oak Cemetery

19.67% 8.05%

Cascades Skate Park

23.08% 24.42% 13.64%

0%

40.70%

28.79%

39.39%

27.47%

37.93% 24.66%

31.15% 31.03%

28.77%

24.64%

30.14%

31.88%

31.75%

8

36.26%

24.59%

22.99%

20%

41.03%

25.58%

24.59%

15.87%

44.63% 21.79%

17.58%

20.29%

Crestmont Disc Golf Course

44.76%

33.06%

16.44%

Allison-Jukebox Community Center

45.08%

35.24%

16.53%

Meeting/Function Rental Space

Wapehani Mountain Bike Park

30.33%

3.81% 16.19%

Twin Lakes Recreation Center 5.79%

Olcott Park football/soccer fields

13.58%

23.19%

30.16% 40%

60%

22.22% 80%

100%

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Just as responses to earlier questions identified specific trails among the most used and most important facilities, when asked about generic facility types, respondents rated trails as the most used facility type.

Question #8 of the survey asks, “Do you USE this type of facility?”

Results indicate: • Walking and biking trails were the most used type of facility with 78.82% of respondents indicating that they use trails.

Figure 3: (Question #8) “Do you USE this type of facility?”

Yes

No

Walking and biking trails

78.82%

Large community parks

21.18%

72.33%

Greenspace / natural areas

27.67%

68.73%

Small neighborhood parks

31.27%

65.09%

Playground equipment

34.91%

42.44%

Community theater

57.56%

35.65%

64.35%

Indoor fitness and exercise facilities

30.70%

69.30%

Outdoor water parks

30.29%

69.71%

Nature center

27.83%

Indoor ice arena Indoor running/walking track

72.17%

24.27%

75.73%

21.73%

Other:

78.27%

21.43%

69.64%

Outdoor fitness and exercise stations

20.97%

79.03%

Outdoor tennis courts

20.39%

79.61%

Indoor event/recreation space Golf course

18.21%

81.79%

14.01%

85.99%

Facility rental space

13.74%

86.26%

Off-leash dog park

13.46%

86.54%

Youth baseball and softball fields

12.99%

87.01%

Mountain bike or pump track park

12.62%

87.38%

Youth soccer fields

12.05%

87.95%

Community gardens

10.73%

89.27%

Outdoor basketball courts

10.16%

89.84%

Indoor basketball/volleyball courts

9.68%

90.32%

Adult softball fields

8.28%

91.72%

Indoor waterpark

8.04%

91.96%

Indoor sports fields (synthetic turf) 7.12%

92.88%

Disc golf

5.81%

94.19%

Youth football fields

4.55%

95.45%

Skateboarding park

4.55%

95.45%

Pickleball courts

1.97%

98.03%

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Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Not only do respondents use walking and biking trails the most of any facility type, they also rate trails as the most important facilities that the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department has to offer.

Question #8 Part II of the survey asks, “How important is it to you to have the following in Bloomington?”

Results indicate: • Walking and biking trails received the most “Very Important” responses with 78%.

Figure 4: (Question #8 Part II) “How Important is it to you to have this facility in Bloomington?”

Not Very Important Walking and biking trails 2% 4% Large community parks

Somewhat Important

Important

Very important 78%

16%

1% 4%

18%

78%

Greenspace / natural areas 2% 2%

18%

78%

Playground equipment

1% 3%

Other:

0% 4%

74%

22%

65%

23%

Small neighborhood parks 2% 6% Youth baseball and softball fields

4% 5%

14%

Community theater

5%

16%

Youth soccer fields

4%

46%

37%

41%

39% 17%

Outdoor water parks

7%

20%

Indoor running/walking track

7%

20%

Off-leash dog park

50%

30%

14%

10%

51%

29%

13%

6%

Nature center

52%

35%

9%

Community gardens

Indoor fitness and exercise facilities

61%

32%

33%

40%

33%

40% 39%

34%

15%

37%

27%

22%

Outdoor tennis courts

3%

17%

43%

37%

Outdoor basketball courts

4%

16%

44%

36%

Indoor ice arena

11%

Youth football fields

17%

Indoor event/recreation space

6%

Adult softball fields Facility rental space

34%

Disc golf

34%

27% 24%

30% 28%

33%

17%

31%

32%

17%

10

40%

50%

60%

9%

19%

30% 30%

13%

20%

34%

20%

14%

27%

25% 43%

10%

27% 30%

32%

Indoor waterpark

0%

28%

39% 22%

20%

Pickleball courts

29%

33%

22%

Mountain bike or pump track park

30%

25%

15%

Indoor sports fields (synthetic turf)

40% 38%

21%

Skateboarding park

31%

28%

9%

Golf course

38%

26%

11%

Indoor basketball/volleyball courts

32%

31%

19%

7%

Outdoor fitness and exercise stations

20% 25%

11%

33%

37%

19%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

Question #16 of the survey asks, “Which FOUR benefits are the most important to you and members of your household?”

Results indicate: • “Improve physical health and fitness” is the top response with 66%.

• “Improve mental health and reduce stress” is the second highest response with 49%. Studies have shown that physical activity improves mental health and reduces stress.4 Trails provide an environment conducive to these activities that directly contribute to improved mental states and reduced stress.

• “Provide access to the outdoors and nature” is the third highest response with 46%. Trails certainly provide access to the outdoors.

Figure 5: (Question #16) “Which FOUR benefits are the most important to you and members of your household?”

Improve physical health and fitness

66%

Improve mental health and reduce stress

49%

Provide access to the outdoors and nature

46%

Make Bloomington a more desirable place to live

46%

Preserve open space and the environment

37%

Enhance community appearance

30%

Strengthen sense of community

23%

Help reduce crime

17%

Increase property values in surrounding area

15%

Improve social connections

15%

Improve diet and nutrition

11%

Protect historical attributes of the City

10%

Increase opportunities for people of different cultures to interact

9%

Help attract new residents and businesses Other:

7% 2% 1%

Promote tourism to the City None

1% 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Response %

Based on what respondents identified as the main benefits that they receive from the Parks and Recreation Department, it may be no surprise that trails are so popular.

4

Sharma, A., Madaan, V., and Petty, F.D. “Exercise for Mental Health.” Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2006;8(2):106 and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. “The Benefits of Physical Activity.” http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pahealth/index.htm#ImproveMentalHealth (accessed July 9, 2015).

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Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

The connection between trails and a healthier lifestyle is further confirmed with responses to Question #8a. Question #8a asks respondents to rank facilities that contribute the most to their health.

Results include: • Walking and biking trails are ranked as the type of facility that contributes the most to health.

• 71% of respondents identified walking and biking trails as being beneficial to their health. The second most common response was greenspace/natural areas, with 51% of respondents indicating that these contribute to their health.

Figure 6: (Question #8a) “”Which FOUR facilities contribute the most to your health?”

Response % Walking and biking trails Greenspace / natural areas Large community parks Small neighborhood parks Indoor fitness and exercise facilities Playground equipment Community theater Indoor running/walking track Outdoor water parks Golf course Outdoor fitness and exercise stations Indoor ice arena Community gardens Outdoor tennis courts Mountain bike or pump track park Youth baseball and softball fields Off-leash dog park Nature center Adult softball fields Youth soccer fields Indoor waterpark Indoor basketball/volleyball courts Youth football fields Skateboarding park Outdoor basketball courts Other: Indoor event/recreation space Facility rental space Disc golf Pickleball courts Indoor sports fields (synthetic turf)

71% 51% 43% 33% 19% 18% 17% 11% 7% 7% 6% 6% 5% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0%

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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

Based on survey findings, respondents use trails and value their importance to the community.

Respondents also want to ensure that the Bloomington trail system is expanded.

Question # 18 of the survey asks, “If it were up to you, how would YOU allocate $100 in taxes across these competing priorities?”

Results include: • Maintenance was rated the highest priority. On average people allocated $22.82 for maintaining/renovating existing parks and $19.96 for maintaining and renovating existing facilities (this includes trails).

• Outside of maintenance, the top dollar average was $15.09 for the construction of new walking and biking trails.

Table 2: (Question #18) “”If it were up to YOU, how would you allocate $100 in taxes across these competing priorities?”

Average Value

Priorities Maintaining/renovating existing neighborhood parks (playgrounds, shelters, features, etc.)

$22.82

Maintaining/renovating existing facilities (community centers, ice arena, sports fields, pools, golf course, etc.)

$19.96

Constructing new walking and biking trails Continuing to provide existing community events and recreation programs

$15.09 $12.80

Continuing to provide existing sports programs and events

$10.62

Acquiring new parkland and open space Constructing new parks and facilities to meet community needs

$9.90 $6.80

Other

$2.52

Total

$100.00

The survey also featured an open-ended question. Question 23 states: “Using a short sentence for each issue, please list the three most important issues the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department must address with its five-year master plan.” Results to this question, like so many others, indicate the importance of trails.

Results include: • 18.4% of comments were about trails. This number of comments is tied with Maintenance for the highest occurrence of any topic in the survey.

• The comments regarding trails fall into several categories: o Expanding/Building/Connecting o Continued maintenance o Increase safety o Criticism of too much focus on trails (only 4) With trails rating as the most used facilities and most valued facilities operated by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, significant attention will need to be provided to these facilities in the master plan. Trails can play a primary role in delivering the top three benefits that people believe they receive from the Department. This includes improved physical health and fitness, improved mental health and stress reduction, and access to the outdoors and nature. In addition, trails were 13

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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

mentioned more than any other topic (besides maintenance) in responses to the open-ended questions about the Department’s top priorities. Trail expansion on its own received 80 comments, which by itself outpaces all other topics except maintenance.

Maintenance The maintenance of facilities under the care of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is another top priority identified by the survey. This applies to trails and all other facilities that the Department administers. The strongest comment regarding maintenance comes from respondents’ opinion regarding allocation of $100 in a theoretical budget situation.

Question # 18 of the survey asks, “If it were up to you, how would YOU allocate $100 in taxes across these competing priorities?”

Results indicate: • Maintenance is the area to which people would allocate the most tax dollars. In total, people would allocate, an average of $43.93 for various maintenance projects.

• Of the $100 provided to respondents, $22.90 was allocated to “Maintaining/renovating existing neighborhood parks (playgrounds, shelters, features, etc.).” This is the highest average for any priority.

• Of the $100 provided to respondents, $20.03 was allocated to “Maintaining/renovating existing facilities (community centers, ice arena, sports fields, pools, golf course, etc.).” This is the second highest average for any priority.

Table 3: (Question #18) “”If it were up to you, how would YOU allocate $100 in taxes across these competing priorities?”

Average Value

Priorities Maintaining/renovating existing neighborhood parks (playgrounds, shelters, features, etc.)

$22.82

Maintaining/renovating existing facilities (community centers, ice arena, sports fields, pools, golf course, etc.)

$19.96

Constructing new walking and biking trails Continuing to provide existing community events and recreation programs

$15.09 $12.80

Continuing to provide existing sports programs and events

$10.62

Acquiring new parkland and open space Constructing new parks and facilities to meet community needs

$9.90 $6.80

Other

$2.52

Total

$100.00

The survey also featured an open-ended question. Question 24 states: “Using a short sentence for each issue, please list the three most important issues the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department must address with its five-year master plan.

Results include: •

18.4% of comments mentioned maintenance, which is tied with trails for the most frequently mentioned topic. Some mentions of maintenance involved multiple topics, such as “maintenance of parks and trails.”

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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan •

Community Survey Report

Maintenance/improvements to Frank Southern Ice Arena received the sixth most comments in response to this question, with 4.4% of responses.

It is important to note that this emphasis on maintenance is not necessarily an indicator that facilities, trails, and parks are in poor condition. On the contrary, respondents generally rated the Departments parks, facilities, and trails in good condition with two notable exceptions: Peoples Park and Seminary Park.

Question #22 of the survey asks, “There are some things in life that make it easy for us to be healthy and other things that make it more difficult to be healthy. Please indicate which of the following prevent you and members of your household from using park and recreation services (select all that apply).”

Results include: • Inadequate or poorly maintained facilities are rated the second lowest of all potential barriers to using Department services. Only 6% of respondents identified maintenance issues as a reason. This provides evidence that the calls for maintenance are not a result of poor conditions, but rather a call to keep facilities in continued good condition.

Table 4: (Question #22) “There are some things in life that make it easy for us to be healthy and other things that make it more difficult to be healthy. Please indicate which of the following prevent you and members of your household from using park and recreation services (select all that apply).” %

Barriers to Participation Not enough time

59%

Programs that the Department offers do not interest me

21%

Personal safety concern – the park or trail is not safe

18%

My neighborhood does not have a park, recreation facility, or trail within a 10 minute walk

17%

Not enough money

17%

Personal safety concern – the walk to the park or trail is not safe due to traffic or roadways Other:________________________

15% 15%

Personal health problem

12%

Inadequate or poorly maintained facilities The Department’s programs, parks, or facilities are not accessible to people with disabilities

6% 2%

Results found in Question #1 Part II also support the idea that the Department’s maintenance work is good. Question #1 Part II asks, “How would you rate the condition of the park?”

Results include: • The majority of parks (15 of 23) received an average rating between 3 and 4 (out of 4), which indicates that most respondents found conditions to be either “Excellent” or “Good.”

• Peoples Park and Seminary Park are the exceptions to the overall positive appraisals of the parks. Peoples Park, with 17 ratings, and Seminary Park, with 19 ratings, are the only parks to receive more than two “Poor” ratings for park condition. They also received the most “Fair” ratings (Peoples Park with 29 and Seminary Park with 11). These lower ratings could be associated with the next topic of this report, safety/crime. Many who cited safety/crime as an 15

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

issue also specifically mentioned Peoples Park and Seminary Park. Based on comments provided in the survey, these parks are also perceived to be locations where large numbers of homeless individuals gather, which may contribute to the parks’ lower ratings.

Figure 7: (Question #1 Part II) “For any parks that you and members of your household have used in the past year, please rate its condition.”

Poor

Seminary Park

19

Peoples Park

17

Fair

Good

Excellent

11 5 1 29

Park Ridge Park 2 8

21

1

8 4

Ferguson Dog Park 2 7

11 5

Rev. Ernest Butler Park (9th Street) 2 11

20

RCA Park (formerly Thomson) 2 7

7 10

21

Leonard Springs Nature Park 2 9

33

26

Broadview Park 14 6 2 Highland Village Park 14 6 1 Crestmont Park 14 5 2 Latimer Woods 1 5 10 2 Sherwood Oaks Park 1 7

8

32

3rd Street Park (Waldron, Hill & Buskirk) 1 12

21

57

Schmalz Farm Park 02 8 4 Park Ridge Park East 0 6 Southeast Park 0 6

19

26

Olcott Park 01

Cascades Park 0

7 13

21

Winslow Woods Park 0 6

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve 0

6

17

Building and Trades Park (2nd Street) 0 8 Goat Farm 03

8

12

11

26

39

18

57

22

Bryan Park 0 9 0

31

58

46 80

76 20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

The findings from the survey suggest that respondents understand the need to provide substantial funding for the purpose of maintaining parks, trails, and facilities. Based on comments and condition assessments from respondents, the need for money is not necessarily a reflection of poorly kept Department property. Instead, it appears to be born from a desire to see well used facilities kept in good condition so they can be used for years to come.

16

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Social and Cultural Events The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide array of programs and services for the community. By a significant margin, respondents utilize programs that are focused on large gatherings with multiple options for activities. This conclusion is supported by responses to Question #9. Respondents were only asked this question if they indicated that they participated in Department programs. 44% of survey respondents indicated that they participated in Department programs.

Question #9 of the survey asks, “Do you use this program/service?”

Results indicate: • Large gatherings are the most popular programs that are offered.

• Except for the Farmers’ Market; concerts, movies, and art fairs; and community events, no program or event has more participants than non-participants.

Figure 8: (Question #9)”Do you use this program/service?”

Yes

Farmers’ Market

No

90.14%

Concerts, movies, and art fairs

9.86%

82.61%

Community events

17.39%

78.10%

Organized youth sports leagues/programs

21.90%

31.82%

68.18%

Health and wellness programs

24.26%

75.74%

Volunteer activity

22.96%

77.04%

Environmental education taught to groups

19.70%

80.30%

Community Gardening/Classes

14.93%

85.07%

Organized adult sports leagues/programs

14.39%

85.61%

Self-directed sports activities for adults

12.03%

87.97%

Guided nature programs for individuals

11.19%

88.81%

School vacation programs (daycamps/breakdays)

9.77%

90.23%

Preschool programs

9.77%

90.23%

Self-directed sports activities for youth

9.16%

90.84%

Programs with your pets

6.11%

Services for people with disabilities

3.73%

93.89% 96.27%

Special event consulting0.00%

100.00%

17

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

In addition to being the most used programs, the Farmers’ Market; concerts, movies, and art fairs; and community events received the most “Very Important” ratings when respondents were asked to rate how important the Department’s various programs and services are to Bloomington.

Ratings for all of Bloomington’s programs/services are quite high. This includes the most used programs mentioned in this section.

Question #11 of the survey asks, “How would you rate the overall quality of the recreation programs and services that you and members of your household have participated in?”

Results indicate: • Participants have a very favorable opinion of the Department’s services and programs. 91 of respondents rated programs/services that they have attended or used as either excellent (43%) or good (48%). Only 9% of respondents provided negative (fair or poor) ratings.

Table 5: (Question #11) “How would you rate the overall quality of the recreation programs and services that you and members of your household have participated in?” %

Program/Service Quality Poor

2%

Fair

7%

Good

48%

Excellent Total

43% 100%

This satisfaction with the Department’s programs and services is also apparent in the open-ended question regarding the three most important issues that the Department must address with the master plan.

Question # 24 of the survey asks, “Using a short sentence for each issue, please list the three most important issues the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department must address with its five-year master plan.”

Results indicate: •

The fourth most mentioned issue is continuation of the current programs, cultural events, and concerts with 10.1% of respondents writing comments supporting these topics.

Interestingly, while the farmers’ market; concerts, movies, and art fairs; and community events are the most popular programs offered by the Department, they are, in that same order, the three programs most cited as contributors to respondents’ health. Much like the way in which trails are the most utilized facilities and also contribute to health, connections are evident between the top three most used programs and the health benefits of those programs. For the Farmers’ Market, the nutritious food certainly plays a part, but that event also encourages social interaction and walking. For Concerts and Community Events, the health benefit derived from the activity is probably more closely related to mental wellbeing and stress reduction.

18

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

Figure 9: (Question #9A) “Which of the FOUR programs listed above contribute the most to your health?”

Response % Farmers’ Market

73%

Concerts, movies, and art fairs

51%

Community events

48%

Organized youth sports leagues/programs

22%

Health and wellness programs

15%

Community Gardening/Classes

10%

Organized adult sports leagues/programs

8%

Volunteer activity

7%

Self-directed sports activities for adults

7%

Environmental education taught to groups

6%

Preschool programs

5%

Self-directed sports activities for youth

4%

Guided nature programs for individuals 3% School vacation programs (daycamps/breakdays) 3% Services for people with disabilities

2%

Other:

2%

Programs with your pets

1%

Special event consulting 0%

Safety/Perception of Crime If there is one issue that is preventing respondents from participating in recreational activities at a higher rate, it is safety/perception of crime. Safety is a concern that is specific to parks and trails.

Other facilities are not typically mentioned in the context of safety issues.

Of the participation barriers listed regarding the use of recreation services, safety is near the top of the list, just behind “Not enough time” and “Programs that the Department offers do not interest me.”

Safety is an issue both at the park or trail being used and when the walk to the park/trail is unsafe due to traffic. Combined, these safety concerns total 33% of the responses, which would be second only to a lack of time as a barrier to participation.

19

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Question # 22 states, “Please indicate which of the following things prevent you or members of your household from using park and recreation services.”

Table 6: (Question #22) “Please indicate which of the following things prevent you or members of your household from using park and recreation services.” %

Barriers to Participation Not enough time

59%

Programs that the Department offers do not interest me

21%

Personal safety concern – the park or trail is not safe

18%

My neighborhood does not have a park, recreation facility, or trail within a 10 minute walk

17%

Not enough money

17%

Personal safety concern – the walk to the park or trail is not safe due to traffic or roadways

15%

Other:________________________

15%

Personal health problem

12%

Inadequate or poorly maintained facilities The Department’s programs, parks, or facilities are not accessible to people with disabilities

6% 2%

Respondents’ perceptions of parks and trails could contribute to the idea that there are safety issues.

When asked what benefits respondents receive from parks, trails, facilities, programs, and services, the lowest-rated benefit was reduction of crime. “Help reduce crime” received the most “Strongly Disagree,” “Disagree,” and “Don’t know” responses for this question.

20

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

Figure 10: (Question #16) “The following are some of the benefits that you and your household may receive from parks, trails, recreation facilities, programs, and services. For each potential benefit, please indicate your level of agreement.”

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

3% 1%

Don't Know

20%

74%

3%

Provide access to the outdoors and nature 2% 1%

23%

71%

3%

2%2%

22%

71%

3%

2%2%

21%

70%

4%

Improve physical health and fitness

Preserve open space and the environment

Make Bloomington a more desirable place to live 2% 0%

27%

68%

2% 1%

28%

65%

2%

Enhance community appearance 4%

Improve mental health and reduce stress 2% 2%

30%

59%

6%

Help attract new residents and businesses 3%4%

33%

54%

7%

Strengthen sense of community 3% 5%

38%

48%

6%

Improve social connections 2% 3%

37%

47%

11%

Increase property values in surrounding area 4% 7%

36%

40%

13%

Protect historical attributes of the City 3% 8%

43%

38%

9%

Promote tourism to the City 2% 9%

37%

36%

15%

Improve diet and nutrition 3% 7%

44%

36%

10%

Increase opportunities for people of different cultures to interact 6%

6%

6%

30%

22%

Help reduce crime 0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

The need to address safety also manifested itself in question #24, which asks respondents to list the three most important issues that the master plan must address. “Reducing Crime/Addressing Safety” is the third most mentioned topic with 7.3% of specific mentions by respondents. This is surpassed only

by Trails and Maintenance. Many of the specific comments are focused either on trail safety or on perceptions that homeless people pose a threat to others in Seminary Park and Peoples Park.

21

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Despite concerns raised regarding safety, particularly as it relates to trails, these concerns are not completely deterring people from using parks and trails. Safety concerns could be a problem borne of perception, owing primarily to the occurrence of a few isolated, well publicized incidents involving trail assaults and to the observable tendency of members of the city’s homeless population to gather in specific parks.

Health In the public health realm, particularly in the United States, there is considerable effort to encourage people to be more active in order to reduce obesity and prevent diabetes. There are programs such as Walk with a Doc, which physicians offer to get people moving around. For respondents to this survey, the positive impact that the Parks and Recreation Department’s trails, facilities, parks, programs, and services have on their health is of paramount importance.

Question #17 of the survey states, “Which FOUR benefits are the MOST important to you and members of your household?”

Results indicate: • Health benefits are the top two rated benefits that respondents identified in the survey.

Figure 11: (Question #17) “Which FOUR benefits are the MOST important to you and members of your household?”

Responses Improve physical health and fitness

66%

Improve mental health and reduce stress

49%

Provide access to the outdoors and nature

46%

Make Bloomington a more desirable place to live

46%

Preserve open space and the environment

37%

Enhance community appearance

30%

Strengthen sense of community

23%

Help reduce crime

17%

Increase property values in surrounding area

15%

Improve social connections

15%

Improve diet and nutrition

11%

Protect historical attributes of the City

10%

Increase opportunities for people of different cultures to interact Help attract new residents and businesses

9% 7%

Other:

2%

Promote tourism to the City

1%

None

1%

With 66% of respondents selecting improved physical health and fitness and 49% indicating improved mental health and reduced stress, these two health categories rank higher than all other benefits reported. Interestingly, trails are the most popular and most used facilities that the Department has, and they address the top three responses to this question. They facilitate physical activity, which reduces stress and improves mental health, and they provide access to the outdoors. With 88% of respondents reporting “Good” or “Excellent” health and 83% of respondents reporting less than four 22

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

days of poor health in the last month, the Department’s facilities and programs could be contributing factors to positive health outcomes by users in the community.

Youth Programs The services that the Department provides for youth, including programs and facilities, are rated as important offerings even though many of the people who completed the survey did not report having directly benefited from them. Results indicate that there is a perceived value in providing youth with specific programs and facilities. This dichotomy (low personal use/high value) is illustrated by the responses to question #9 Part II “Please indicate if YOU or members of your HOUSEHOLD use the programs and services listed below. For each program/service please rate its importance.”

Results indicate: • “Organized youth sports leagues/programs” is the fourth most used program, yet it is the second most important program with 72% of respondents indicating it is “Very Important.”

• “School vacation programs” were only reported as having been used by 13% of respondents, yet 70% of respondents reported that these programs were “Very Important” to have in Bloomington.

23

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Figure 12: (Question #9 Part II) “How Important is it to you to have this program in Bloomington?�

Not Very Important

Somewhat Important

Farmers’ Market 0% 6%

80%

22%

4% 5%

Concerts, movies, and art fairs 1% 9% Services for people with disabilities 1%6%

72%

21%

70%

21%

69%

25%

Community events 2% 11% Preschool programs

Very important

13%

Organized youth sports leagues/programs 1%5% School vacation programs (daycamps/breakdays)

Important

22%

66% 22%

15%

4%

68%

59%

Volunteer activity 4%

12%

27%

57%

Health and wellness programs 2%

13%

28%

57%

Organized adult sports leagues/programs 4% 10% Community Gardening/Classes

5%

Self-directed sports activities for youth

6%

Environmental education taught to groups

36% 32%

16%

10%

20%

Guided nature programs for individuals

7%

26%

Self-directed sports activities for adults

7%

27% 23%

Special event consulting

24% 0%

10%

48% 46%

30%

18%

Programs with your pets

49%

43%

27%

39%

28%

32%

34%

30%

40%

21%

22%

33% 20%

21%

26%

30%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

The same phenomenon occurs regarding facility types. Playground equipment is rated the fifth most used facility type yet is rated as the fourth most important facility type to have in Bloomington. Youth baseball and softball fields are ranked as the 18th most used facility type yet are ranked as the eighth most important facility type to have in Bloomington. For all youth-centered facilities, the importance of having the facility ranks either the same as or higher than its ranking in terms of actual use.

The Bryan Park Pool, which is used heavily by youth, is rated as the fifth most used facility in the City and fifth most important facility for Bloomington to have.

24

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

Conclusion The survey for the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Master Plan provided valuable results that should inform and influence the final Master Plan itself. Responses regarding trails, maintenance, community/social events, safety, and youth programming/facilities are of particular interest, as outlined in this report. Overall, the survey’s respondents have a very favorable view of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.

Question #19 states, “Please rate your satisfaction with the overall value your household receives from the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.”

Results Indicate: • Respondents have a very high opinion of the value they receive from the Department.

• 91% of respondents indicated that they are either “Satisfied” or “Very Satisfied” with the Department.

• Only 5% of respondents indicated that they were “Very Dissatisfied” or “Dissatisfied.”

Table 7: (Question #19) “Please rate your satisfaction with the overall value your household receives from the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.” %

Overall Satisfaction Level Very Dissatisfied

2%

Dissatisfied

3%

Satisfied

38%

Very Satisfied 53% No Opinion 4% Total 100% By engaging in the master planning process, the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is taking meaningful steps to ensure that its users retain this high level of satisfaction.

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Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

APPENDIX A Survey Instrument and Results This appendix features the results from the sample survey conducted by the Eppley Institute and the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.

1. From the following list of City of Bloomington parks, please select All PARKS that you and members of your household have used during the past year. For any parks that you and members of your household have used, please rate its condition.

Name of Park

Bryan Park Cascades Park Griffy Lake Nature Preserve 3rd Street Park (Waldron, Hill & Buskirk) Leonard Springs Nature Park Olcott Park Peoples Park Sherwood Oaks Park Winslow Woods Park RCA Park (formerly Thomson) Rev. Ernest Butler Park (9th Street) Goat Farm Building and Trades Park (2nd Street) Seminary Park Southeast Park Park Ridge Park East Ferguson Dog Park Park Ridge Park Latimer Woods Schmalz Farm Park Crestmont Park Highland Village Park Broadview Park None, do not use any parks (skip Q2)

Do you use this park?

Yes 169 127 109 87 69 67 67 46 43 37 37 33 32 30 29 24 23 17 16 12 11 11 7 25

If YES, how would you rate the condition of the park?

Poor 0 0 0 1 2 0 17 1 0 2 2 0 0 19 0 0 2 2 1 0 1 1 1 N/A

No 44 81 99 118 133 132 133 151 155 163 163 165 166 170 171 177 179 180 184 185 186 189 192 N/A

26

Fair 9 22 18 12 9 1 29 7 6 7 11 3 8 11 6 6 7 8 5 2 4 4 4 N/A

Good 76 57 58 57 33 26 21 32 26 21 20 21 19 5 17 12 11 8 10 8 5 6 6 N/A

Excellent 80 46 31 21 26 39 1 8 11 10 7 13 7 1 6 8 5 4 2 4 2 1 2 N/A

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

2. Which FOUR parks have you and members of your household used the most during the past year?

Responses

%

Bryan Park

60

34%

Cascades Park

50

29%

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve Leonard Springs Nature Park Olcott Park Building and Trades Park (2nd Street) Sherwood Oaks Park Winslow Woods Park Rev. Ernest Butler Park (9th Street) RCA Park (formerly Thomson) Ferguson Dog Park Goat Farm Southeast Park Park Ridge Park East Peoples Park 3rd Street Park (Waldron, Hill & Buskirk) Schmalz Farm Park Crestmont Park Park Ridge Park Broadview Park Highland Village Park Latimer Woods Seminary Park

39 21 21 12 10 10 9 8 7 7 7 6 5 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 0

22% 12% 12% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0%

Total

788

Four Parks Selected as Used the MOST in Past Year

27

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

3. Have you or other members of your household participated in any recreation programs and services offered by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department in the past 12 months?

Responses

%

Yes

148

44%

No

188

56%

Total

336

100%

Participated in BPRD Program in Last 12 Months

3a. If yes, how would you rate the overall quality of the recreation programs and services that you and members of your household have participated in?

Responses

%

Poor

3

2%

Fair

10

7%

Good Excellent

69 63

48% 43%

Total

145

100%

Program/Service Quality Rating

28

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

4. Please indicate if YOU or members of your HOUSEHOLD have used any of the following recreation facilities listed below in the past year. If YOU or members of your HOUSEHOLD have used a facility in the past year, please indicate how important the facility is to your family’s recreational needs.

Name of Facility

Do You Use this Facility?

How Important is it to you to have the following in Bloomington?

Yes

No

Not Very Important

Somewhat Important

Important

B-Line Trail Burkirk-Chumley Theater Bloomington Rail Trail Clear Creek Trail Bryan Park Pool Shelter houses in City Parks

255 213 172 130 114 107

61 94 131 162 181 194

10 7 9 2 7 6

26 24 18 15 19 21

37 54 42 46 41 43

180 142 120 89 85 71

Jackson Creek Trail Frank Southern Ice Arena Winslow Sports Park Twin Lakes Recreation Center Cascades Trail Rose Hill Cemetery Cascades Golf Course Mills Pool Olcott Park football/soccer fields Wapehani Mountain Bike Park Banneker Community Center Twin Lakes Sports Park Allison-Jukebox Community Center Community Gardens Cascades Skate Park Meeting/Function Rental Space

100 78 78 76 67 65 42 34 32 32 30 24 19 19 15 13

192 213 217 216 224 227 252 251 254 255 262 266 274 268 270 271

2 7 8 7 4 10 17 5 8 7 11 6 14 7 12 12

22 23 15 20 17 11 16 10 21 20 18 11 17 7 18 9

37 37 30 40 37 31 25 24 22 33 17 27 22 23 21 19

67 55 68 54 47 46 33 47 35 27 32 37 16 38 22 26

Crestmont Disc Golf Course

10

274

10

20

19

14

White Oak Cemetery

10

277

12

15

15

19

29

Very Important

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

5. Which FOUR facilities from Question #4 have you or members of your household used the most during the past year?

Responses

%

B-Line Trail

198

70%

Burkirk-Chumley Theater

108

38%

Bloomington Rail Trail Clear Creek Trail Bryan Park Pool Jackson Creek Trail Winslow Sports Park Shelter houses in City Parks Frank Southern Ice Arena Rose Hill Cemetery Twin Lakes Recreation Center Cascades Golf Course Cascades Trail Olcott Park football/soccer fields Banneker Community Center Twin Lakes Sports Park Mills Pool Wapehani Mountain Bike Park Allison-Jukebox Community Center Cascades Skate Park Community Gardens Crestmont Disc Golf Course White Oak Cemetery Meeting/Function Rental Space

68 60 50 46 35 32 31 25 23 22 19 12 11 10 9 8 6 6 4 2 2 1

24% 21% 18% 16% 14% 11% 11% 9% 8% 8% 7% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% <1%

Total

788

Facilities Selected as Most Used in Past Year

30

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

6. Please select ALL of the ways that you CURRENTLY learn about City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department programs and services.

Responses

%

Seasonal Program guide

251

74%

Newspaper articles

196

58%

From friends and neighbors City of Bloomington Website Newspaper advertisements Fliers/Posters Radio Parks Department e-mail bulletins Facebook or Twitter Conversations with Park and Recreation staff Other Television Blogs

151 129 80 79 78 57 51 29 14 12 3

45% 38% 24% 23% 23% 17% 15% 9% 4% 4% 1%

Total

1130

Way Respondents Currently Learn about BPRD Offerings

7. Please select all of the ways that you WOULD PREFER to learn about City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department programs and services.

Responses

%

Seasonal Program guide

239

72%

Newspaper articles

167

50%

City of Bloomington Website Parks Department e-mail bulletins From friends and neighbors Fliers/Posters Radio Newspaper advertisements Facebook or Twitter Television Conversations with Park and Recreation staff Other Blogs

145 112 90 88 85 82 80 22 19 14 9

44% 34% 27% 26% 26% 25% 24% 7% 6% 4% 3%

Way Respondents Would Prefer to Learn about BPRD Offerings

31

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

8. Please indicate if YOU or members or your HOUSEHOLD use the facility types listed below.

Please rate the importance of having each of the facility types in Bloomington, no matter if you use them or not.

Type of Facility

Do You Use This Type of Facility?

How Important is it to you to have this facility in Bloomington?

214

Not Very Important 7 2 6 5 2 11 15 16

Somewhat Important 10 10 6 15 7 37 34 43

86 75 68 65

223 234 245 245

22 24 15 24

40 41 45 59

75 80 76 70

92 71 86 60

Outdoor tennis courts Indoor event/recreation space Golf course Facility rental space Off-leash dog park Youth baseball and softball fields Mountain bike park Youth soccer fields Community gardens Outdoor basketball courts Indoor basketball/volleyball courts Adult softball fields Indoor waterpark

63 57 44 43 42 40 39

246 256 270 270 270 268 270

37 34 31 30 26 25

270 283 274 280 288 286

7 13 45 15 32 8 40 8 11 8 18 22 70

38 52 47 53 46 18 63 27 31 33 51 39 52

94 80 63 77 57 74 66 75 64 90 80 83 55

80 65 56 60 79 109 35 94 111 75 55 63 29

Indoor sports fields Other: Disc golf Skateboarding park Youth football fields Pickleball courts

22 19

287 N/A

18 14 14 6

292 294 294 299

43 N/A 64 29 33 79

54 N/A 65 62 39 55

65 N/A 38 58 62 35

34 N/A 24 46 63 16

Yes 253 230 222

No 68 88 101

207 132 113 97

111 179 204 219

93

Nature center Indoor ice arena Indoor running/walking track Outdoor fitness and exercise stations

Walking and biking trails Large community parks Greenspace / natural areas Small neighborhood parks Playground equipment Community theater Indoor fitness and exercise facilities Outdoor water parks

32

Important 46 48 47 84 53 71 92 73

Very Important 223 212 204 161 179 119 96 88

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

8a.From the list above, which FOUR facilities contribute the most to your health?

Responses

%

Walking and biking trails

208

71%

Greenspace / natural areas

149

51%

Large community parks Small neighborhood parks Indoor fitness and exercise facilities Playground equipment Community theater Indoor running/walking track Golf course Outdoor water parks Indoor ice arena Outdoor fitness and exercise stations Community gardens

127 95 55 52 50 32 20 20 17 17 16

43% 33% 19% 18% 17% 11% 7% 7% 6% 6% 5%

Outdoor tennis courts

13

4%

Mountain bike park

12

4%

Adult softball fields

10

3%

Nature center

9

3%

Off-leash dog park

9

3%

Youth baseball and softball fields

9

3%

Youth soccer fields

6

2%

Indoor basketball/volleyball courts

5

2%

Indoor waterpark

5

2%

Disc golf

3

1%

Facility rental space

3

1%

Indoor event/recreation space

3

1%

Other:

3

1%

Outdoor basketball courts

3

1%

Skateboarding park

2

1%

Youth football fields

2

1%

Indoor sports fields

1

<1%

Pickleball courts

0

0%

Facilities that Contribute the Most to Respondentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Health

33

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

9. Please indicate if YOU or members of your HOUSEHOLD use the programs and services listed below. For each program/service that you use, please rate its importance.

Type of Program

Do You Use This Program?

How Important is it to you to have this program in Bloomington?

Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market Concerts, Movies, and Art Fairs

Yes 128 114

No 14 24

Not Very Important 0 4

Somewhat Important 8 13

Community Events

107

30

2

Organized youth sports leagues/programs

42

90

Health and wellness programs

33

Volunteer activity Environmental education taught to groups

Important Very Important 17 26

103 39

12

25

75

1

4

18

60

103

2

11

24

49

31 26

104 106

3 8

10 17

23 23

48 36

Gardening/Classes Organized adult sport leagues/programs

20 19

114 113

4 3

13 8

26 28

39 38

Self-directed sports activities for adults Guided Nature programs for individuals Preschool programs

16 15 13

117 119 120

5 5 3

19 20 11

24 21 16

23 30 43

School vacation programs (daycamps/breakdays) Self-directed sports activities for youth Programs with your pets

13 12 8

120 119 123

3 4 16

4 13 21

15 21 18

51 33 15

Other:__________________ Services for people with disabilities Special event consulting

7 5 0

N/A 129 133

1 1 16

0 4 22

1 18 15

8 48 14

34

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

Community Survey Report

10a. From the list above, which FOUR contribute most to your health?

Responses

%

Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market

98

73%

Concerts, Movies, and Art Fairs

68

51%

Community Events Organized youth sports leagues/programs Health and wellness programs Gardening/Classes Organized adult sport leagues/programs Self-directed sports activities for adults Volunteer activity Environmental education taught to groups Preschool programs Self-directed sports activities for youth Guided Nature programs for individuals

64 29 20 14 11 10 9 8 7 6 4

48% 22% 15% 10% 8% 7% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3%

School vacation programs (daycamps/breakdays)

4

3%

Other:__________________

3

2%

Services for people with disabilities

3

2%

Programs with your pets

2

1%

Special event consulting

0

0%

Programs/Services that Contribute Most to Health

360

Total

35

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

10. Which FOUR programs from Question #10 DO YOU CURRENTLY PARTICIPATE IN MOST OFTEN? Responses

%

Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market

87

64%

Concerts, Movies, and Art Fairs

74

54%

Community Events Organized youth sports leagues/programs Health and wellness programs Gardening/Classes Volunteer activity Organized adult sport leagues/programs Self-directed sports activities for adults Environmental education taught to groups Preschool programs School vacation programs (daycamps/breakdays) Other:__________________ Self-directed sports activities for youth Services for people with disabilities Guided Nature programs for individuals Programs with your pets Special event consulting

61 32 13 9 9 8 7 6 6 6 5 5 3 2 1 0

45% 23% 9% 7% 7% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 2% 1% 1% 0%

Total

328

Programs/Services Participated Most Often

11. How would you rate the overall quality of the recreation programs and services that you and members of your household have participated in?

Responses

%

Poor

3

2%

Fair

10

7%

Good

69

48%

Excellent Total

63 145

43% 100%

Program/Service Quality

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12. Please indicate how often you and members of your household have used the Twin Lakes Recreation Center during the past 12 months.

Responses

%

Never

230

68%

1-9 Times

71

21%

10-24 Times 25-49 Times 50+ Times Total

22 9 8 340

6% 3% 2% 100%

Frequency of Twin Lakes Use

13. Please indicate ALL reasons that prevent you or other members of your household from using the Twin Lakes Recreation Center.

Responses

%

Too far from our residence

93

41%

Use another fitness facility

71

31%

Other Programs do not meet my needs Traffic in/out of the facility is a challenge I am not physically active I did not know that this facility exists Access by walking/biking not available Facility lacks the right equipment Lack of parking Program times are not convenient Facility operating hours not convenient Registration for programs is difficult Classes are full Poor customer service by staff Lack of quality programs Total

56 39 26 21 20 14 9 9 7 4 2 1 1 0 340

25% 17% 12% 9% 9% 6% 4% 4% 3% 2% 1% <1% <1% 0%

Reasons Twin Lakes is not Used

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14. From the following list, please check ALL of the organizations that you or members of your household have used for indoor and outdoor recreation programs and services during the past year.

Responses

%

City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department

171

52%

Cultural arts facilities (e.g., John Waldron Arts Center, Buskirk-Chumley Theater) Karst Farm and other county parks YMCA (Northwest or Southeast) Indiana University (SRSC, Wildermuth Intramural Center, Woodlawn Field, etc.)

School facilities (MCCSC or RBB) Other health/fitness center Churches None Travel sports teams/clubs Other Boys and Girls Club Total

166

51%

117 111 91

36% 34% 28%

85 70 69 28 26 23 13 969

26% 21% 21% 9% 8% 7% 4%

Organizations Used

15. Which TWO of the organizations do you and members of your household use THE MOST for indoor and outdoor recreation programs and services?

Responses

%

City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department

113

41%

Cultural arts facilities (e.g., John Waldron Arts Center, Buskirk-Chumley Theater) YMCA (Northwest or Southeast) Indiana University (SRSC, Wildermuth Intramural Center, Woodlawn Field, etc.)

73

26%

72 47

26% 17%

Karst Farm and other county parks

43

16%

Other health/fitness center School facilities (MCCSC or RBB) Churches Other Travel sports teams/clubs Boys and Girls Club None Total

32 28 19 7 6 2 0 969

14% 10% 7% 3% 2% 1% 0%

Organizations Used

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16. The following are some of the benefits that you and your household may receive from parks, trails, recreation facilities, programs, and services. For each potential benefit, please indicate your level of agreement.

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Know

Provide access to the outdoors and nature

8

2

64

237

9

Improve physical health and fitness

5

3

76

231

9

Preserve open space and the environment

8

5

70

227

11

Make Bloomington a more desirable place to live

8

6

68

225

14

Enhance community appearance Improve mental health and reduce stress Help attract new residents and businesses

8 6 8

1 3 8

87 90 96

220 211 191

6 14 20

Strengthen sense of community

8

13

105

171

22

Improve social connections

9

17

122

155

18

Increase property values in surrounding area

7

10

119

149

35

Protect historical attributes of the City Promote tourism to the City Improve diet and nutrition

12 8 8

23 26 29

114 136 120

128 120 117

48 30 49

Increase opportunities for people of different cultures to interact Help reduce crime Other:

11

22

141

114

31

20 1

44 0

89 4

98 10

71 7

Benefits

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17. Which FOUR benefits are the most important to you and members of your household?

Responses

%

Improve physical health and fitness

215

66%

Improve mental health and reduce stress

159

49%

Make Bloomington a more desirable place to live

149

46%

Provide access to the outdoors and nature Preserve open space and the environment Enhance community appearance

149 119 99

46% 37% 30%

Strengthen sense of community

75

23%

Help reduce crime

54

17%

Improve social connections

48

15%

Increase property values in surrounding area

48

15%

Improve diet and nutrition

35

11%

Protect historical attributes of the City

32

10%

Increase opportunities for people of different cultures to interact Help attract new residents and businesses Other: Promote tourism to the City

29 23 5 4

9% 7% 2% 1%

Benefits

18. If it were up to you, how would YOU allocate $100 in taxes across these competing priorities?

Average Value

Priorities Maintaining/renovating existing neighborhood parks (playgrounds, shelters, features, etc.)

$22.82

Maintaining/renovating existing facilities (community centers, ice arena, sports fields, pools, golf course, etc.)

$19.96

Constructing new walking and biking trails Continuing to provide existing community events and recreation programs

$15.09 $12.80

Continuing to provide existing sports programs and events

$10.62

Acquiring new parkland and open space Constructing new parks and facilities to meet community needs

$9.90 $6.80

Other

$2.52

Total

$100.00

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19. Please rate your satisfaction with the overall value your household receives from the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.

Responses

%

Very Dissatisfied

6

2%

Dissatisfied

10

3%

Satisfied

122

38%

Very Satisfied No Opinion Total

171 14 323

53% 4% 100%

Responses

%

Poor

1

<1%

Fair

36

11%

Good

185

57%

Excellent Total

100 322

31% 100%

Overall Satisfaction Level

20. Would you say that in general your health is:

Health Rating

21. During the past 30 days, for approximately how many days did your poor physical or mental health keep you from doing your usual activities, such as self-care, work, or recreation?

Responses

%

0-3 days

266

83%

4-7 days

31

10%

8-14 days

17

5%

15-21 days 22-30 days Total

3 2 319

1% 1% 100%

Days of Poor Health

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22. There are some things in life that make it easy for us to be healthy and other things that make it more difficult to be healthy. Please indicate which of the following things prevent you or members of your household from using park and recreation services. Check all that apply.

Responses

%

Not enough time

167

59%

Programs that the Department offers do not interest me

59

21%

Personal safety concern – the park or trail is not safe

52

18%

My neighborhood does not have a park, recreation facility, or trail within a 10 minute walk

47

17%

Not enough money

47

17%

Personal safety concern – the walk to the park or trail is not safe due to traffic or roadways Other:________________________

43

15%

42

15%

Personal health problem

33

12%

Inadequate or poorly maintained facilities The Department’s programs, parks, or facilities are not accessible to people with disabilities

16 5

6% 2%

Barriers to Participation

23. Thinking about how public money has been spent on recreation parks and facilities in the past 5-10 years, which of the following statements is most accurate…

Responses

%

Don’t Know/Not Sure

151

47%

My neighborhood often gets its fair share

77

24%

My neighborhood almost always gets its fair share My neighborhood seldom gets its fair share

43 36

13% 11%

My neighborhood never gets its fair share

14

4%

Neighborhood Gets Fair Share of Tax Dollars

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24. Using a short sentence for each issue, please list the three most important issues the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department must address with its five-year master plan.

See Appendix B for a full list of issues. The information below has been organized under the most consistently referenced topics by the survey respondents.

Responses

%

Build/Expand Trails

128

18%

Focus on Maintenance

128

18%

Reduce Crime/Address Safety

51

7%

Continue Current Programs Continue Current Practices

48 39

6% 5%

Frank Southern Operation and Possible Replacement

31

4%

Add and Maintain Greenspace

28

4%

Build Switchyard Park

23

3%

Support of Cultural Events and Concerts

22

3%

Build Parks, Trails, and Facilities

18

2%

Address Homeless in Parks

15

2%

New Dog Park

10

1%

Senior Center

10

1%

Upgrade facilities

9

1%

Acquire land/open space

8

1%

8 116 692

1% 16%

Important Issues

Connect Trails Other Total

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25. Counting yourself, how many people in your house are: Responses

%

Under age 5

46

6%

Ages 5-9

64

8%

Ages 10-14 Ages 15-19

44 36

6% 5%

Ages 20-24

23

3%

Ages 25-34

80

10%

Ages 35-44

106

14%

Ages 45-54

99

13%

Ages 55-64

135

18%

Ages 65-74

89

12%

Ages 75+

40

5%

Total

762

100%

Number of People in Household

26. What is YOUR age?

Responses

%

Under age 5

0

0%

Ages 5-9

0

0%

Ages 10-14 Ages 15-19

1 0

<1% 0%

Ages 20-24

3

<1%

Ages 25-34

31

8%

Ages 35-44

58

15%

Ages 45-54

45

12%

Ages 55-64

70

18%

Ages 65-74

42

11%

Ages 75+

20

5%

Refused to answer

118

30%

Total

388

100%

Age of Sampled Individual

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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan 27. What is YOUR sex?

Responses

%

Female

161

41%

Male

139

36%

Prefer not to answer

88

23%

Total

388

100%

Sex

28. What is your race/ethnicity?

Responses

%

American Indian and Alaskan Native

2

<1%

Asian

4

1%

Black or African American Hispanic or Latino

7 4

2% 1%

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

0

0%

Two or more races

6

1%

White (not Hispanic or Latino)

271

66%

Prefer not to answer

114

28%

Total

408

100%

Race/Ethnicity

29. Are you a full time student at Indiana University?

Responses

%

Yes

4

1%

No

317

81%

No answer

87

18%

Total

388

100%

Student at IU

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30. How long have you lived in Bloomington/Monroe County?

Responses

%

Less than one year

7

2%

1-5 years

38

10%

6-10 years 11-15 years

35 37

9% 10%

16 or more years

204

53%

Prefer not to answer

67

17%

Total

388

100%

Years lived in Bloomington/Monroe County

31. What is your household income?

Responses

%

Under $25,000

28

7%

$25,000-$49,999

61

16%

$50,000-$74,999 $75,000-$99,999

44 41

11% 11%

$100,000 or more

88

23%

Prefer not to answer

126

32%

Total

388

100%

Household Income

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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

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APPENDIX B The survey featured a question that asked respondents to list the three most important issues the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department must address with its five-year master plan. The table below features all unedited responses from this answer in alphabetical order.

Adult Activity Center A huge draw to this community is the number or parks and walking/biking trails, the maintenance and upkeep of these will continue to bring families to our community.

Acquire and develop new properties Acquire more land to expand greenspace and walking/biking trails.

Acquire more open space Acquire more parkland Acquiring and creating new parks as the city expands Acquiring and preserving the existing greenspace in Bloomington Acquiring more green space Acquisition of new parks/open space Activities for young adults to participate in together activity based center for the disabled.

Adapting programs for changing demographics Add addition mileage to the bike trails while the land is still available Add walking/running and biking trails Ads. Better advertisement of events allocating resources throughout the city fairly Angry homeless people "owning" parks and areas aquisition are trails transportation or just recreation? attractive plantings B line could stand to look nicer down south. Flowers? balancing needs of all ages for recreation, from elderly birdwatchers to active toddlers Banneker Community Center needs more investment in its appearance and programming- it is a great place for families!

Better promotion of existing programs.

Bicylces Bike lanes Bryan Park pool chairs should be replaced. They are in very poor condition.

Bryan Park Tot -Lot requers more sand and mulch - it is one of the most used parks in our city Build it and they will come is not working.

Build more trails Build park for kids in Blue ridge subdivision Build space for Winter Farmers Market Build Switchyard Park Building more biking and walking trails that connects the different areas of the city.

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building new neighborhood parks Building/improving new park facilities south of 2nd street and west of College.

Building/maintaining neighborhood parks Building/maintaining walking trails Bulletins to inform Careful balance between maintenance and expansion of Parks and Rec facilities. (Ex. - Lots of extra features/special brick, etc. on b-line could have been used to make the trail itself stretch further instead.)

Cascades must get an upgrade on course conditions and new fairways Cater to not only college students but to the residents who are going to be here after they are gone. children's programs City Parks leaders have a tendency to overstate the importance of their operations with regard to the community's overall quality of life City Parks officials are likely to spread the department's limited resources too thinly then seek large influxes of tax revenues Clean up parks like Peoples Park and Seminary Park Close cascade golf course and expand it into a park that far more people can use and reduce pesticides now used.

COB has some great aspects to Parks and Rec. My family has used and enjoyed Parks and Rec Services for over 20 years. The City as a whole though, needs to get real about the other issues that it invites. community gardens / education Commuter friendly opportunities -- biking and hiking trails. With the hospital moving what opportunities for walking/biking to the hospital/outpatient facilities/classrooms? Will the City attempt to partner with IU and IUHealth to have green space and recreational facilities that can be utilized by staff and visitors? Classes devoted to healthy eating/living/recreational opportunities? Community/education/business partnerships need to be explored. completing existing plans for growth Connect all paths/trails to make a loop around Bloomington.

Connect all the trails and expand them Connect existing bike trails and provide better ways to navigate the college mall area.

Connect existing hiking trails/expand trail system Connect existing trails into a county-wide system connect existing walking/biking trails for alternative transport through and around the city. / connect green trails so people can walk safely from area to area. connect parks by trails consider offering some of the activities at Twin Lakes over on the East Side (not the Y). If it's close we will go.

Construction, being environmentally proactive in new construction and in retrofitting older facilities Continual Maintenance, Updating and Improving Parks, Trails, Facilities etc.

Continue bringing cultural events continue excellent efforts on trail and bike path development Continue excellent work maintaining city parks Continue operation and expansion of programs for youth.

Continue summer music concerts!

Continue support of Frank Southern Ivce Arena continue to acquire and develop new spaces for parks, trails and outdoor use Continue to advertise offerings through all types of media Continue to bring great adult events like the New Belgium Clips tour to Bryan Park Continue to build and extend trails that connect with each other.

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Continue to grow and/or expand it's facilities to meet the communities needs Continue to grow the system with the new parks that have been planned Continue to improve local parks, gardens, forests, other natural environment Continue to increase community gardening participation and donations to food pantries.

Continue to maintain existing facilities continue to maintain safety and cleanliness of existing parks Continue to offer recreational opportunities to our youth Continue to offer summer music programs in the park Continue to preserve green space in Bloomington Continue to promote and create walking trails in parks and near downtown Continue to provide many services and events for the community to enjoy continue to provide programs for youth, family, seniors Continue to reach out to Bloomington citizens and tourists Continue to receive input from concerned citizens Continue to support the arts and cultural events. / Continue to support the farmer's market and other initiatives for healthy living (gardening/diet classes, community gardens, yoga and other stress-reduction classes).

Continued acquisition of open land before it disappears under new developments.

Continued expansion of trails.

Continued programs offered for kids and adults in the evening and on weekends.

Continued safety on BLine trail Continued trail development Continuing family-friendly community events. / continuing the Parks and Rec Program Guide I think this publication has been compiled very well continuing to connect walking/biking trails around the city Continuing to keep green space in Bloomington and not allowing everything to be so built up and developed.

Continuing to keep what parks, trails, gardens, facilities, events and activities in good running order,safe, and user friendly. continuing to offer affordable, high quality camp experiences for working families continuing to renovate parks and increase accessibility continuing to support most popular events Convert farms to parks instead of developing them. More projects like the goat farm Convert unused city property to green space Create more biking and walking trails Create more walking trails like the B-Line, which is very popular with so many people.

Create parks and programs that encourage social interaction, not just education about nature. People need to interact. creating and protecting green space Creating more biking/hiking trails and encouraging use Creating more trail options Creating new neighborhood parks and community gardens Creating programs for a wide variety of people and interests with accessibility and sports for fun, not competition Creation of the Switchyard park.

Creation of the switchyard park.

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crime crime Crime seems to be escalating in Bloomington Criminal activity in People's Park needs to be eliminated Current facilities (playgrounds, trails, etc) need to be well-maintained so there isn't broken equipment, etc.

Deal with homeless problem in People's Park and Seminary Park.

Dealing with homelessness and its affect on certain parks determining what money-losing facilities are important to maintain despite the loss, and which should be cut Develop a city park in the center of the city.

Develop a neighborhood park close to Hoosier Acres.

Develop other modes of transport besides automobile Develop Switchyard Park develop the rail yard in a natural way Developing more general family spaces rather than just sports parks Developing programs for Senior Citizens Developing the many acres by the b-line trail.

Developing the Switchyard park development of switchyard park Development of Switchyard Park.

Development of switchyard south of Grimes as parkland.

Development of walking and biking trails Do mostly what you best know how to do but don't totally avoid innovation.

Do nor change parks into playgrounds.

Do not turn the Blue Field at Winslow into a softball field! dog park (maybe on the south side?)

Don't forget the potential of events, programs, and facilities like Frank Southern and Wapehani can offer to attract other segments of the community - diversify your portfolio .

Don't know - we're relatively new residents.

Don't let the switchyard park take all the energy at the expense of all the other great parks, facilities, and programs Don't overbuild facilities to the point they won't be maintained.

Double number of youth baseball fields so children under 12 are not playing baseball until 9-10 o'clock at night, (not healthy, not safe) Drug dealer East side of town is neglected east-west walking paths, not for bicycles easy access Educate bikers to pedestrian traffic and their right of way. emphasize programs and playgrounds for kids more than adults Encourage interest in area activities and results. Ie game scores, game time,etc Encouraging and supporting non-fossil-fuel dependent transportation.

Enhance/create outdoor spaces in areas that don't have them, and enclose spaces for kids.

Enhanced green space enhancement of existing facilities Enhancing existing facilities 50

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Ensure biking and vehicle safety by creation of bike paths and enforcing laws Ensure safety of participants on trails Ensure that children are more involved/price wise Ensure that parks are safe and accessible to all.

Ensuring facilities are available for all residents/areas of community Ensuring that usable green space is integrated in the areas being developed in the community. For instance the South Walnut corridor, which is very ugly and could use more green space. Peoples park is a disgrace, does not feel safe, and Kilroys blaring music across the street makes it even worse.

Environmentalism and climate change Establish a plan for appropriately addressing the perceived homeless/threatening populations from many of the cities parks (seminary square, people's park) Evaluate and follow suggestions from this survey evening events for young auluts/professionals Expand current network of trails and parks. expand facilities Expand trail system Expand/maintain existing indoor and outdoor sports facilities Expanded space and parking for Farmer's market. expanding the walking trails expansion beyond fund limitations Expansion of walking and biking trails.

Explore feasibility of a new indoor swimming pool Extending access to existing trails.

Extending b-line to make more of Bloomington accessible Extending the Polly Grimshaw Trail all the way to Smith Road or even New Unionville and beyond would be great. extension of trails: east-west Facilities Facilitiy, events and programs for 60+ Facility maintanence fees Figure out a way to turn off the tennis lights at Winslow at a reasonable hour and reduce light pollution and waste Finding a way to keep track of people who don't use a leash for their dog. Fines. Husband got bitten by dog who didn't have her shots. Scary.

Finish expansion of Cascades Park between Softball field on monastery.

Finish Switchyard Park!!! I go there often riding my bike and right now, I have to imagine what it will look like when finished. I think that can be a really nice facility. finish the switchyard park, and I don't like the idea of putting in a road at hillside. fiscal accountability and control For future park or the Switchyard Plan - see Pullen Park in Raleigh, N.C. They have an amazing park there. Worth a look at their design. forward looking programs Frank Southern is overdue. A better facility with year-round ice would encourage so many positive things.....including: / 1) Additional options for summer recreation / 2) Opportunities for local ice-sports to grow stronger teams, host camps, tournaments...... / 3) Increased tourism and local enthusiasm stemming from IU teams / 4) Year-round opportunity for COB in terms of employment, facility rental, corporate events, birthday parties etc.

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Free activities Free events such as The Farmers' Market, art fairs and such are a wonderful way to keep the community engaged and allow people to come together to support our local community.

Freguson Dog Park - more shade Funding needs to be used to maintain the quality of parks Funds to keep existing property/equipment at present levels.

Get an indoor facility that is more centrally located..like the YMCA Get Parents to be parents so this teenage crime/drug will slow down or quit and I know this is impossible because people want kids but DONOT want to be the ones to raise them Get rid of the bums in the parks Getting more money for improvements and maintenance Golf course needs improvements GOOD maintenance of existing parks and rec areas good upkeep on existing parks, facilities Graffiti along the B-line trail Greatly enhancing and expanding the local food system using the Bloomington Food Charter as a Guide.

Greatly expanding rain gardens, water catchment, and other sustainable landscaping techniques.

Growing/improving parks on NW side of town Have A facility that has camps and sports leagues that kids are pick up from home and dropped off. So many adults can't send their children due to cost and lack of vehicle to drop them off/pick them up. have adequate staff Have at least one small park in every neighborhood.

Having more adult-friendly activities (for people without children).

Homeless community in the parks and on the trails Homeless people Homeless population taking over a park, so I do not feel safe Homelessness and food insecurity (more shelters and community gardens would be amazing) How to bring on board new properties/trails How to develop the Switchyard property/park.

How to increase spending at a time of shrinking revenues?

How to preserve more forest and wooded area I am in my early 80s and I get all the exercise I need in my home and walking almost anywhere I need to go. We attend local sports etc. when we have friends or neighbors participating. The facilities always seem to in fine condition.

I don't know about what goes on with Parks and Rec I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I have no opinion on this I have no opinion on this I have no opinion on this I visit parks all year round in a variety of weather, and I think it's important for the bathrooms to be available year round to make it easier to spend more time at the park.

I would like to see a trail in the eastside of town 52

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I would like to see another dog park area that is more assessable.

I would love more options for swimming areas on the lakes.

I would really like a wooded park (or many) that can be walked to from town (Prospect Hill, Near West Side, Campus, etc.)

Ice rink (year round) Ice rink (year round) Ice Rink Convert Frank Southern Ice Arena to a year-round facility Ice rink Create a year-round ice arena I'd like to see Parks work more closely with IU. The two are terrific resources within our community--together they could be GREAT. Identifying and acquiring space for future parks If you have any influence - more sidewalks and walking areas. These should be separate from biking areas.

Improve appearance improve maintenance/equipment Improve safety improve safety of parks, especially B-line Improve safety on B-line and other trails Improve safety on the B-Line trail.

Improve security for south end of B-Line Trail.

Improve trails that are decaying Improving communication about special events.

Improving walkability of the city (interconnects to the b-line trail from all directions) improving youth programs, some i have seen are poorly supervised Improving/maintaining playground areas at neighborhood parks.

In some areas of town there are no recreational areas kids may safely use independently.

In the parks I use, it is necessary to replace trees lost over the years, and plant new trees. This is Tree City after all.

Inadequate funds Include skatepark features in a more central part of town, like along the B-line, Cascades is good, but quite isolated for youth to use. including more accessible downtown activites for older people.

Increase bicycle trails and lanes Increase protected bike lanes; design better lanes; increase number of bike boulevards.

Increase security on the B-Line/Switchyard Park Increase the extent of bike paths on city streets.

Increase the green spaces throughout the city Increase the number of bike paths/trails. increase walking/biking trails increase walking/biking trails Increased safety on b-line, clear creek, and rail trails in evenings.

Increasing bike and walking trails/lanes, especially making it less dangerous to bike across 37 and on the west side.

Increasing use of existing parks & facilities indoor exercise and fitness facility Indoor pool facility Intergenerational recreation opportunities need to be expanded.

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Internal Accountability / Transparency Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 It would be nice to have closer hiking trails.

Keep athletic leagues for children. keep doing the same excellent job - don't mess up things that are working well! keep doing the same excellent job - don't mess up things that are working well! keep doing the same excellent job - don't mess up things that are working well! keep doing what you're doing!

Keep facilities accessible Keep facilities and programs affordable Keep facilities safe Keep informed about needs and preferences such as is being done with this survey Keep parks safe and clean.

Keep the B-Line and other properties safe for all persons at all times.

Keep the Buskirk Chumley. More live music. More live theater.

Keep the green spaces green keep the parks safe with spot checks for drug use, crime. I see that B line is patrolled - I appreciate that. keep the shrubs from blocking sidewalks Keep the weeds down-some of us have allergies Keep trails clean and safe. / Keep up maintenance of parks; continue popular programs like farmers market, outdoor concerts/movies, etc.

Keep up the already good work! keeping children's sports affordable/scholarship for low income households Keeping drug dealers and firearms out of Bryan Park...and all the parks in general.

Keeping existing parks and facilities maintained, clean, safe.

Keeping our parks safe at night. Ex. RCA Park tends to have undesirable visitors at night.

Keeping parks clean and safe Keeping parks safe and maintained Keeping playground/exercise equipment up to date Keeping programming and arts alive Keeping programs for our youth. keeping the community safe in all parks - some are not great Keeping the cost down for use of programs and facilities.

Keeping the grounds clean from animal feces.

Keeping viable options for 13-18yr old boys to place baseball Kinser pike needs a pedestrian crossing section where the trail head begins across the street from the power washing folks. It is dangerous to cross there, but more dangerous up the road at the skate park. drivers go fast and it is hard for me to see oncoming traffic when i am walking my dogs.

Lack of diversity of activities within exisiting parks.

Landscape replacements Last I looked, Twin Lakes and the YMCA wanted over $200 a year for membership, plus classes cost money on top of that. Can something be done to make access to such facilities more affordable?

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Lessen overpopulation of deer in area. lighting on walking/biking trails Look at the poverty level Look to develop small neighborhood parks Love the free concerts in the park. Keep those up!

Love the trail system but think the planners get a little carried away with trail embellishment. The important thing about trails is that they are long and continous, rather than short and "wide". Put the funds in right of way rather than stabs at art and architecture. (Shade would always be welcome though.)

Lower the ramp fee at Griffy significantly, and provide an annual ramp permit if not already available!

Maintain facilities, parks, trails and grounds Maintain adequate staff Maintain all playground equipment for children Maintain and acquire new green space and natural areas maintain and expand walking and biking trails maintain and improve toilet facilities in all of the parks. reinstate the toilets by the Winslow tennis courts Maintain current all outdoor facilities: i.e. parks, trails, etc. maintain current facilities Maintain current indoor/outdoor sports venues maintain current outdoor parks and trails Maintain current parks & facilities.

Maintain current parks. maintain current properties Maintain equipment and facilities Maintain existing building Maintain existing facilities maintain existing facilities - don't let them get run down or neglected Maintain existing facilities and programs maintain existing facilities/assets Maintain existing parks Maintain existing trails and parks.

Maintain existing trails, increase trails, maintain parks.

Maintain facilities.

Maintain green space Maintain in excellent condition current facilities. maintain leadership as a friendly outdoor city Maintain nice, safe outdoor places for me - including benches, sidewalks. Don't go overboard on programming.

Maintain open/green space within many areas of the city. / Maintain or increase number of employees and their pay scale Maintain parks and facilities at an good/excellent level for all those who use them maintain parks and rec centers maintain parks in good condition, especially those with aging equipment Maintain playground equipment for children Maintain playgrounds in smaller neighborhoods 55

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Maintain programs in response to usage Maintain quality Maintain security of all public parks Maintain water fountains. Add water bottle filling stations Maintain what we have Maintain what we have maintain/improve community and neighborhood parks Maintain/increase playground equipment for children with disabilities. maintain/protect/acquire more green space for humans and wildlife maintaining / increasing green space Maintaining and expanding B-Line Trail and other walk/bike trails Maintaining and updating playgrounds Maintaining current facilites Maintaining current facilities maintaining current facilities maintaining current parks Maintaining current parks and facilities. maintaining current trails, facilities, etc Maintaining equipment at current parks maintaining existing facilities Maintaining existing facilities Maintaining existing facilities and programs Maintaining existing facilities and services. maintaining existing park facilities and outdoor spaces maintaining existing parks maintaining existing parks, ect maintaining existing parks, facilities and programs Maintaining existing trails. maintaining green space and access to green space in a growing city Maintaining older, or creating new, parks in less wealthy neighborhoods.

Maintaining playground equipment at large and small parks Maintaining the B-Line Trail. maintaining the budget level maintaining the facilities we presently have Maintaining the park lands and facilities we have Maintaining the parks facilities (shelters, trails, etc).

Maintaining the properties that already exist Maintaining what it already has maintaining what we already have Maintaining what we now have Maintaining/improving conditions at Griffy Lake maintanence maintenance 56

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Maintenance Maintenance maintenance maintenance & ongoing renovation of existing parks/facilties Maintenance and renewal of existing facilities, esp. ice rink.

Maintenance of current properties.

Maintenance of existing facilities Maintenance of existing trails...do not allow them to deteriorate as you add new ones maintenance of facilities Maintenance of facilities.

Maintenance of parks and trails maintenance of the existening parks Maintenance on existing parks.

Maintenance, repair Maintenance/enhancement of facilities and programs make all of Bloomington accessible by bike (safely get to trails) Make events affordable Make facilities of the public schools, ie: wood shop, auto shop, welding shop, etc., available to low income people.

Make fitness classes more assessible in terms of times, prices, & locations. make sure facilities of all kinds are as evenly distributed as possible in neighborhoods around town Make sure fees for childrens programs do not exclude the impoverished.

Make sure people feel safe in all the parks and trails. make sure spaces such as B-line trail, people's park, etc are safe for all citizens Make sure the Buskirk-Chumley and concert series are adequately funded and maintained make sure trail system is well maintained and safe; expand if possible Make the B-Line safer.

Make west side of Bloomington more park friendly and trail friendly.

Making class times more accessible during midday hours.

Making classes affordable on all budgets.

Making fee based programs available to individuals and families that are economically distressed.

Making improvements and adding to lands and facilities Making sure all parks and trails stay safe.

Making sure places are safe Managing breadth vs depth of programming Marketing/Advertising public resources that are available and how many people are using them Match the dog health and safety requirements of the Karst Farm Dog Park (e.g., vaccinations, key-card monitoring for behavior complaints, and proof of neutering) or at least perform spot checks to ensure compliance. We don't feel that dog park is safe for our dog.

Methods to increase awareness/interest of programs and use of facilities More accessibility to walking trails, like sidewalks More bike friendly roads More challenging playground equipment in all parks More community events; movies in the park, guided informative nature hikes, B-Line/downtown historical walks, seasonal festivals/carnivals.

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More community garden space. more connection between existing properties/facilities More facilities for all to share More facilities need to be bike and pedestrian accessible.

More festivals. Especially ones involving food and drink!

MORE FUNDING FOR THE PEPOLE more green space more green space more green space More inviting/welcoming More large scale events, such as 4th St Arts Fair, that brings in outside tourism dollars, esp. in the off season (JuneAug.) More natural landscaping to eliminate use of pesticides and fossil fuels.

More options for adults 30-50 More parklands or natural sites More parks and walking/running trails on the eastside of town.

More programs for seniors (60 plus years) who are still working full-time.

More programs free of charge more user fees, less taxes More variety of programs - for all ages, singles, neighborhoods, etc.

More walking trails on north side of city More youth programs Moving forward with Switchyard Park Must fix dangerous baseball field conditions at Bryan Park.

Need a buzzer to open door for people with a walker Need better bike lanes. And we don't need them in neighborhoods. need handicapped activites need indoor pool, not theY Need more bike trails, connecting more places.

Need more dog poo drop off cans Needs an America Ninja Warrior facility and very reduced prices for rock climbing facility.

Needs free or very reduced facilities for families with free daycare and many choices. Cost and children should never be an excuse why people can't get in shape. new bike ways New ice facility new official size ice arena with longer access No more walking/biking trails No opinion None None None north side does not have a park that you can walk to with swings (cascades is inaccessible from north side neighborhoods). Other areas do have this access within the city.

Not enough advertising 58

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Offer later times for those that work 9-5 jobs Offer more inclusive programs that are TRULY inclusive. offer more programs on weekends offer tai chi/mediation in park areas Ongoing assessment of community needs open space/natural areas for people to actually see nature at work - karst, pollination, native wild plants Organizing and promoting more community events Other than those two complaints, the city is doing a great job!

Outreach to lower income families P&R seems to have a lot of hats -- maybe you should narrow your mission Panhandlers who may not be homeless park & trail maintenance park at switchyard park park safety Park wildlife management parking downtown - the city makes you pay park ANYWHERE downtown, so why would I want to use the parks/trail?

Parking meters make it difficult for some to want to do things but have to pay to park. parks and rec is not hip at all Parks and trails should be safe, especially for women and children.

Parks and trails should be safer.

Parks don't have to have ridiculously expensive or elaborate features, and should NEVER compete with the private businesses. pave the Rail Trail to connect the B-line and Clear Creek trails Paving and/or maintaining pavement on walking trails. Winslow Trail finally got paved, thank you!

Peoples Park is frequently a spot with violent altercations.

Personnel physical maintenance of the Banneker building Please bring back the mowing and weed eating Please continue to not use pesticides and herbicides in our green areas. Expand naturalized areas. Add bird houses in parks!

Please put trash cans on the B-Line south of 2nd St. Please renovate the ice arena! It is in very poor condition, and it is very much enjoyed and used.

Please stop building walking paths and bike trails. Except for downtown they are all empty.

Possibly expand bike and walking trails.

Prepare appropriately for the future now, while relatively vacant space is available for new parks and facilities.

Preservation of existing green space within the city.

Preserve and maintain what we have Preserving Griffey Lake area prevent encroachment of businesses into Wapahani preventing parks and programs from becoming a place where low income, mentally ill or alt people feel unwelcome Prioritize useage of Switchyard Park space Programs for adults should cover a wider variety of interests.

Programs for young children through teens to help them be involved with something positive.

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Promote more things like the Hudsucker Possee in Bryan Park. What about free yoga in the park? Free dances in the park?

Promote open greenspace in city parks and downtown.

Properly maintain facilities, including restroom facilities.

Properly maintaining the existing park infrastructure. protecting the personality of the town from box stores and buildings Protecting the Waterman neighborhood from JB Salvage/Waste Facility and noise from the highway.

Protection of natural areas in a natural state, not developed for sports etc.

Provide a vision for Switchyard Park Provide and east/west trail - in addition, a trail that circles Bloomington and connects all trails Provide facilities in new areas of town.

Provide more access to community gardens and programs on self-sufficiency provide more indoor play space for basketball and walking when it's hot/cold out. Open schools with some supervision?

Provide more informational classes.

Provide more trash cans in the parks. This is especially important to dog walkers. provide pow-cost options Provide programs that interest a majority of people.

Provide public transportation to reach parks like Griffy lake/trails Provide trash service Providing greater access to parks and natural areas. For example, bus routes to Griffey and Cascades on Saturdays and Sundays. providing inexpensive/free programs for low-income children providing programs and services that the public is interested in Public participation on new projects.

Public safety public safety at seminary park & peoples park Public safety on the trails--particularly the B-Line trail.

Put soap and towels back in restrooms Quiet will kept walking paths for elders reaching out to schools with event info Reasonably priced indoor water part would make a great addition to the list of possible fall/winter/early spring activities.

Recruiting well trained and supportive coaches for youth programs Reduce homeless in the public park areas and increase safety.

Refurbishing the old rather than building new, which entails more waste Renovate Buskirk Chumley Theater Replace bike path/trail-road intersections with overpass/underpass.

Replacement of trees /fallen/disease etc.

Requiring downtown development to include new parks Restore Cascades Park Review potential for better outdoor ampitheater Safe access to everyone in public parks safe environment on the B-line trail 60

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Safer bike routes through city (i.e. reduce chances of accidents between cars and bike riders) Safer walking trails after dark some people cant walk until after dark.

Safety safety safety safety Safety Safety and accessability Safety and security on trails and at parks safety features Safety for all P & R facilties Safety for all who use the parks and at all times Safety for all. safety I hate the walking trails of Bloomington. They are very unsafe. safety in parks and recreational facilities safety is a concern, especially in Peoples Park and Seminary Square, but also in Brian Park and B-Line trail Safety issues on B-line trail Safety of cyclists and pedestrians along B-line trail from motorists. safety on b-line Safety on b-line trail Safety on the b-line trail.

Safety on the more remote parts of the B-line safety on the rail trial Safety on the trails. We have beautiful trails in wooded areas many say they are unsafe I have not experienced this but it creates a little paranoia each time I ride or walk them some I don't go on because of rumors. / Safety on trails Safety on trails and parks Safety on trails in high traffic areas specifically crossing roads Safety. safety. The trails are wonderful, but I hestitate to use them alone even in daylight. In some parks, homeless people are a deterrent--perceived danger. securing green space now in areas marked for high development securing new parks or park -like areas Securing sufficient funds for maintenance of existing parks & facilities Security along B-line and Rail Trail in more remote areas Security of people using the facility security of persons on premises Security. senior center construction.

Senior Citizen activities for active seniors more centrally located.

Senior Citizen Center ... not a place in the basement to play majong.

Senior trips should include trips to festivals, museums, baseball games; rather than trips to gamble.

Seniors need a place to gather and socialize during the day. sidewalks 61

Community Survey Report

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

sidewalks in my area need to be cleared for walking (trees & bushes) Sidewalks- still not everywhere- you often have to drive somewhere to walk Small renovations and repairs to the upper Cascades Skate Park.

Some of the parks with palygrounds don'd have a restroom (Park Easst Ridge) space Space. Set it aside now, release it later if not needed.

Spend within your means, like everybody else (except the rest of the city offices, of course) Spending too much on things that few citizens use Sports programs for youth Spread awareness of offered opportunities and activities.

Stop focusing solely on trails.

Stop spending money on anything bicycle related Stop spending on unused bike trails stop using pesticides and herbicides Striving for being bike/walking friendly is obviously not important for 99% of residents. subsidizing live arts/performance spaces/facilities downtown is important support existing facilities by improving infracstructure Switch yard park Switch yard park Switch yard park to improve south side neighborhoods Switchyard and north Showers P&R developments meet budget, focus on helping business, not new apartment complexes.

Switchyard Park switchyard park Switchyard Park Take care to not allow I 69 to cut the city in two,that is keep all sections of Bloomington accesible without having to use I 69 for local travel thus avoiding conjested intersections The B-Line trail trail is a complete waste of money. I wouldn't take my family there if you paid me. The crime encouraged by some of the COB's choices are kind of insane.

The City of Bloomington website is extremely user unfriendly (and our family is comfortable with technology) The city should expend recreational facility, especially tennis court west of the IN-37 highway. All available courts are located middle of the city or on the east side of the town. The renovation of RC made some progress however I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t consider it a safe place for late evening activates. the concerts are terrible and no fun The ice arena continues to improve its facility in small ways and I believe use, interest, and enjoyment continue to grow; however the limited amount of ice (both during the skating season and year-round) prevent Parks from developing this sport to its fullest--especially considering how many user groups there are and how many continue to commute to the Columbus facility thru the off-season.

The ice arena should be open for a longer period each year, preferably for the full year, as they do in Columbus.

The needs and wishes of the more and more older people. Is there shuffleboard anywhere?

The new park should be clean and family-oriented with loitering not tolerated.

The problem of homeless people congregating in city parks. Seminary Square is unusable due to all the drunks that hang out there.

The proposed park in the old RCA area should be an important asset for not only that neighborhood but the entire city.

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The rail-trail road crossings aren't well marked for the walkers - they like to walk right in front of my car...

The renovation, extension of operation time of indoor ice arena. The facility starts to operate early in the fall when most of the possible participants donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even think about winter sport yet. On the other hand itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close early March when I should keep operating at last for another 2 months!

The switch yard park the way in which bands are chosen to play the parks and rec shows is outdated and no longer works.

There is very little shade on most of the playgrounds. The lower playground in Bryan park in the morning is good, but otherwise they are mostly unbearably sunny. they need to try to make the park more safe from the many homeless and poor the loiter in them much of the time too many parks to maintain, but I love them all ...

Too much development of apartment buildings that take the space of what could be parks.

Too much expansion and hiring too many people traffic flow and management Traffic light at twin lakes so seniors have better access in and out of sports plex. trail Bike trails (exclusive of cars) east to west across Bloomington and interconnecting. Columbus is a good example. trail bike transportation amenities at switchyard park!!! trail Bike/walking paths to connect neighborhoods to parks and other parts of the city.

Trail Safety / Crime Trails Better connection of trails Trails Better east/west walking/biking corridors.

Trails should be expanded to reach all areas of the city and ideally connect to areas in the county.

Trails, Because Griffy Lake and Lower Cascades Park can feel isolated and unsafe, more walking/biking trails are needed on the northside.

Trash can quantity and location, plus education of the using public to make parks a cleaner, more welcoming place.

Turning the rail yard into a park.

Twin Lakes needs to be more affordable for seniors with smaller incomes. update & maintain current parks & recreation areas update playground equipment update softball fields and concessions update winslow baseball fields Update/maintain facilities and parks updated facilities Updating facilities Updating old structures/facilities Upgradeing where necessary upkeep and maintenance / upkeep of facilities Upkeep of the areas upkeep on existing properties and facilities Using parks to attract young professionals.

Vast area of responsibility Walking path connecting Cascades Park with Mill Showers Park.

Walking trail safety walking/biking accessibility 63

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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan

We are retired and rarely use sports facilities. / / We as runners/walkers have almost been hit by bikers several times recently as they no longer alert us to their presence.

We have good sidewalks, but they need to enforce clearing them so you don't have to walk in the street We must preserve green space.

We need a courthouse dog to help individuals to come forward in difficult situations physical /sexual assult cases.

We need a year-round ice rink.

We need baseball/softball fields that drain better.

We need more performance spaces. A choral performance, or a small musical, has a very difficult time finding a good inexpensive space. Churches are really the only venue possible in most instances. Even so the expences can be just too much. I really have no solution, but it is a problem. Bloomington is such a vibrant community and needs more performing spaces.

We need multiple, easily accessible (walkable), dog parks, perhaps even incorporated into some current park space. we need year-round ice at Frank Southern When you construct the park going into the Railyards, I'd like to see ample green space.

Wholesome family space for exercise and outings are a priority. winslow woods park - playground equipment Work to provide housing for the homeless who currently live in some of our parks Would love to see more/connected paved multi=use trails Year round pool services

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