Taking action on resident feedback: Community-Wide

Every three years, the Community Council conducts a community-wide survey from residents on various topics, collect demographics and identify trends. This programming, policy, and planning decisions for the Community Council and Ranch Demographic statistics have appeared in prior editions of Ranch News and are

WHAT DID WE LEARN?

• Residents choose DC Ranch for its location, beautiful landscape and views, programs, amenities, and sense of community.

• 25% of residents moved to the Ranch in the past two years.

• Residents represent all age brackets but are weighted to the 51-70 age groups, and 25% of homes have at least one minor (under 18) living in the home.

• Residents have increased leisure time with 50% of all households having retirees.

• Residents ranked sports and games, fitness, and wellness as the most important programs.

• Governance structure and design and modifications are areas where residents want clarity.

• Youth and teen programs were ranked lower in importance but are areas where satisfaction can be improved.

• Facility cleanliness is important and ranked positively.

• Residents are highly satisfied with the value and variety of events and programs.

• Architecture of homes and buildings, access to paths and trails, amenities and landscape philosophy were rated as very important to 84% of the community. Residents love the “feel” once you enter DC Ranch, and value the natural desert landscaping.

I RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

A considerable number of suggestions and ideas are already driving actions. Others take more time to evaluate and consider. Some are on hold for future consideration when funding and resources are available. Occasionally, feedback cannot be addressed for a variety of reasons. Many will be incorporated into DCR2025, DC Ranch’s strategic plan update that is currently underway. Here are a few examples of how input from the community is impacting programs and services.

• Program enhancements are being considered, including adding more kid-friendly options at Food Truck Night, promoting park parties through NVMs, and partnering with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy on trail programs. A comprehensive schedule of fitness offerings with different date and time options will be launched with the opening of the new fitness studio. And residents have asked for casual, more intimate opportunities to connect with neighbors.

• New residents are welcomed through a comprehensive program which includes welcome bags, invitation to Sunset Tours, and a series of informational emails. Visit DCRanch.com for more details.

• DC Ranch’s governance structure is complicated. To enhance understanding, several initiatives are underway that complement existing programs (such as the Resident Leadership Academy), including a video highlighting the three governing entities, viewable on DCRanch.com.

• The reservation system is challenging for many that reserve pickleball and tennis courts at Desert Camp Community Center. A guide has been posted on DCRanch.com for instruction on the reservation process. Reservation reminders are now emailed to reduce no-shows, and other improvements are under consideration for launch with the opening of the new courts next year.

• Knowing who to call for what service is not always clear. Stay involved and informed by signing up for text messaging on DCRanch.com. The communications team has implemented more outreach initiatives to explain how to stay connected in DC Ranch through various communication channels.

• Sustainability is important to DC Ranch residents. The Community Council and Ranch Association have joined forces to launch a Sustainability Committee that will focus on important initiatives related to energy saving, water conservation, recycling, and more.

• Residents feel that landscape in common areas is overgrown and not manicured. Per the landscape guidelines, landscaping is generally required to have a natural look. Pruning and trimming is completed to maintain a shrub’s health and provide an intentional natural desert look (except in several neighborhoods). The Ranch Association will continue to provide educational opportunities regarding landscape standards.

• More amenities, please! Residents want more pickleball courts. Look for two more courts at Desert Camp Community Center next year. Other enhancement projects will be considered during an update to the master plan after the fitness center and studio project is complete. The Village