Saturday, May 20, 2000
Middletown will survey residents about parks
By Janet C. Wetzel
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN — What do residents want to see in city parks?
That's a question that 400 adult city residents will be asked during a telephone survey starting Monday to help the city draw up its parks master plan.
“Questions will have to do with park facilities, programs and activities,” said Susan Davis, assistant city manager.
Residents may be asked if they would be interested in seeing the city have a leisure pool, soccer complex, bike trail along the river and a variety of other amenities.
This information will help a city task force — including representatives from the public works, development and human resources departments, the city manager's office and a liaison from the park board — that has been doing preliminary work on the master plan.
“One thing became apparent,” Ms. Davis said. “We need a good survey, a good sample of Middletown citizens to see who uses the parks, what they like about the parks, what they don't like, what facilities they would want, and would they help support big-ticket items.”
There will also be questions for nonusers, to try to determine why they don't use the parks and whether specific additions would encourage them to start going to the parks.
City Commission Chairman Fred Sennet said the information is important, but the city has to be careful.
“I think the park board has a vision, a plan they're putting forth, and they want to make sure they're in tune with the public,” Mr. Sennet said. “But we don't have funds in our regular budget to handle big-ticket items. We'll see what the people want and if they're willing to help fund it. Right now we're having trouble keeping up with our streets and other projects that are equally worthwhile.”
The city is spending $10,250 for the telephone survey and accompanying items, including computer software.
A preliminary report is expected by Memorial Day and final data by mid-June, Ms. Davis said.
The information will be compiled and a recommendation prepared for the City Commission on current and future park projects.
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