HomeMy Public PortalAboutCHAPTER FIVE DEMAND ANALYSIS •
CHAPTER FIVE
DEMAND ANALYSIS
Public Participation
Community Survey
Survey information
Public Input Summary
•
•
4110
•
•
•
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A critical component in park master planning involves public participation input.
Understanding the needs and interests of the local community members is most important
in developing plan recommendations that will benefit the park user base. Throughout
2006 and 2007, and again in 2009,three different projects were conducted involving
community surveys and solicitation of thoughts and comments in regards to community
needs during public input meetings followed by an interpretation thereof. The first was
conducted by a group of community leaders called the Hometown Alliance, which
recognized a need to communicate Greencastle's many assets to a variety of audiences,
conducted a survey and came up with a document entitled, "A Marketing&Development
Model for Greencastle, Indiana",that makes recommendations for community
development and marketing strategies. The second project, entitled, a"Needs
Assessment Survey for a Potential Community Center in Putnam County"was conducted
as a Kinesiology Senior Seminar class project by DePauw University student, Colin
Batko. Completed during the spring semester of 2007, Colin Batko's project involved a
survey instrument,public input meetings and an interpretation thereof. Thirdly, in 2009
the Greencastle Parks&Recreation Department conducted a needs analysis through a
Greencastle, Indiana Recreation &Parks Survey, which confirmed the results from the
first two. This section presents the summaries of the minutes generated from those public
meetings, and analysis of the community surveys and how they pertain to the Greencastle
Parks and Recreation Department.
Hometown Alliance Study
• Greencastle is a progressive Midwestern community that has recognized a need to
communicate its many assets to a variety of audiences. The document, "A Marketing&
Development Model for Greencastle, Indiana", examines Greencastle's current situation
in the Central Indiana marketplace and makes recommendations for community
development and marketing strategies at the request of the Hometown Greencastle
Alliance(the Alliance).
This project began as a result of recommendations contained in a Quandt Group study
that was completed in September of 2003. To realize these objectives,the Alliance
engaged F2/Inc., John Goss and Strategic Marketing and Research, Inc. all of
Indianapolis,to craft development concepts and a strategic public relations and marketing
plan that outlines short and long-term strategies for development and promotion. The
three-phased project was initiated on February 1,2006 and completed in December,
2006.
The community participation phase of this project included communication with
Greencastle residents through publicity and citizen feedback meetings. A Brand Strategy
Development Meeting was held on June 13, 2006,which resulted in an agreement to •
follow the Lafayette/West Lafayette logo system. In order to share the research fuidings
and early conclusion from the first phase, a back-to-back five-story series of news articles
were published through the Banner Graphic in late May,2006, and set the stage fora . •
9114 • series of citizen focus group meetings. Focus group meetings were held in early June, •
2006 where insight and suggestions were gleaned from citizens of the Greater •
Greencastle area. The third phase, or Marketing and Development Plan, was presented at
2
i�J
,
• a meeting on May.16,2006,which laid out four primary areas of concentration: 1)
economic fitness, 2) community asset development, 3)community and campus
W engagement, and 4)communications and promotions. The final phase; four, was the
implementation phase. Information gleaned for the development of the City's Parks and
Recreation Departmental 5-Year Master Plan will concentrate on the statistics and
Greencastle resident verbatim, highlighting comments in regards to parks and recreation,
good,bad and suggestions to make it better.
Public Participation: External Analysis—This portion of the image and awareness
research study was conducted in a competitive text in order to clearly understand how
Greencastle compares to towns of similar size and in similar geographical proximity to
Indianapolis metropolitan area. The survey sample extended 50-miles outside of
Greencastle,which encompasses the northern and western areas of Indianapolis and its
suburbs,-and included Zionsville, Greenfield,Noblesville,Plainfield, Danville,
Crawfordsville,Bloomington,Avon and Greencastle.
The survey looked at many things, with parks and recreation as a very small part of the
targeted areas of concern, and in this study Greencastle tied with Crawfordsville as being
the least desirable place to live(Table 5-1).
Table 5-1: Ratings as a Place to Live
Comparable Communities Index
Zionsville 120
Noblesville 108
Bloomington 106
• Avon 104
Brownsburg 103
Plainfield 99
•
Danville — — - — — -- — 95
Greenfield 91
Greencastle 88
Crawfordsville 88
Distinctive features that make a community"unique"were one of the subjects studied.
The following rating scale was used: A rating of 4.0 is considered very important, a
rating of 3.5-4.0 is considered fairly important,and a rating of 3.0 or less is less
important. In all the communities surveyed and then averaged,the most important to
respondents were good parks and recreation, a wide range of housing options, lots of
leisure activities, and unique/independent stores and restaurants. Plentiful sports, arts
and music and festivals and events weren't as important but still placed averaged as
depicted in Table 5-2.
Table 5-2: Unique Factor Attributes
Attribute Rating
Good parks and recreation 3.89 •
Wide range of housing options 3.89
Lots of leisure activities' 3.57
•
° Unique, independent shopping and dining3 "• �.�6
• Welcomes diversity 3.48 • • •
. 3 .
Plentiful sports, arts and music ' 3.3E
Festivals and events 3.17
O Historic buildings and authentic feel 3.06
Access to college and university • 2.99
Vibrant nightlife 2.41
In the external study, respondents who would consider moving to the community believe
that Greencastle is performing well in the areas of having lots of leisure activities, nice
parks and recreation areas, and a lot of community festivals and events. These three
items place third, fourth and fifth behind"having a vibrant nightlife" and"welcoming a
diverse population". •
In the same study, when looking at the "Assets and Challenges Summary" and how they
pertain to parks and recreation, some of the assets and strengths listed include:
➢ Parks and recreation programming
➢ People Pathways pedestrian and bicycle trails
At the same time, "Shortcomings and Challenges" list include:
➢ Less than desirable familiarity with the community's attributes: its unique
sense of place, its accessibility, its recreational amenities, and the benefits
of a college or university town
ir ➢ Cultural or `unique' factors/attributes have limited appeal
➢ No arts council or artist consortium
➢ Shortage of upscale amenities &health clubs
➢ Greencastle lacks fitness facilities
➢ Gateways into the town are perceived as unattractive
➢ Older age groups create demand for low-maintenance residences, larger
homes, restaurants and leisure activities
➢ No real health club or Y
In a wrap up of the study, "parks and recreation areas"made the list of attributes to be
promoted. It stated further that these attributes are important to respondents and that
Greencastle performs relatively well in terms of awareness. "Plentiful sports, arts, music
events" and "leisure activities"made the list of things to be monitored. These assets are
important to the general public, but Greencastle exhibits weaker performance in terms of
awareness.
•
•
Public Participation: Internal Analysis—A group of more than 600 citizens with ties
to Greencastle were surveyed separately from the Central Indiana population, since it is •
perhaps mostly important to understand the local attitudes. The survey collected over • .
° 170 comments Or "verbatims"from the residents of Greencastle in the "write-in" section
of the local research study instrument. Approximately 52, or about one-third, of these
• • . •4
comments addressed leisure. recreation, and/or parks and recreation issues and will be
useful in providing direction to the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department for the
T1 next 5-years.
Existing Amenities
➢ Recreation opportunities are plentiful!
➢ We have the opportunity to support a first class museum in Putnam
County which will put Greencastle on the map and bring visitors to our
community to spread the word about what a great place this is to live and
work.
➢ The number of recreational facilities and parks in Greencastle are growing
and that's a good thing. Remember to budget monies for long-term
upkeep.
➢ I believe we need more money allocated to the maintenance of our park
facilities.
➢ Greencastle has many ups and downs. Our kids like the community.
➢ The city has some very nice park facilities, but needs more finances to
help maintain and keep up the facilities.
➢ ... If we are going to sell Greencastle, the schools in the county must be
improved and the positive things (cultural opportunities at DePauw,
Putnam County Playhouse [and Big] Walnut Sports Park)promoted.
Pedestrian Facilities
•
➢ People Pathways is a wonderful development in Greencastle!
➢ We love it here but are saddened in the loss of resources in the downtown
area. I would rather walk to places from my job at DePauw for my
errands.
➢ New sidewalks and curb appeal is needed. Clean up empty lots.
Greencastle is a great place to visit.
➢ Do love the pathways and nature parks for exercise,more would be better.
We have a great public library.
➢ The Convention and Visitor's Bureau needs some reform. CVB income
should go to improving infrastructure such as recreational facilities
• (people pathways, [and Big Walnut] sports park)and cultural facilities
(museum).
•
Leisure and Recreation Needs
➢ We need to have some type of YMCA or Recreation Center.
➢• We REALLY need a YMCA or a community center. There are a lot of
• • citizens who feel this way and the kids are the ones who would benefit the •
most.
o . 5
5
4/1)11
411)
•
We need more entertainment'in Greencastle. For exainple—batting cages,
go carts,putt-putt,and a•mbvie theatre that is nice!
•
➢ This community really needs something for entertainment such as putt-
putt, go cart tracks, and a movie theatre with more than two screens. •
Something for the youth to do rather than sit in the Wal-Mart parking lot.
> The town needs more life. A community center that has a place to play.
The biggest problem in the community is a lack of things to do for
children. As adults,we realize the community is limited due to size.
However, children should not suffer. An indoor recreation area for
Greencastle is a MUST.
> It would be great to have ... more extracurricular/entertainment options
for our children so that they have positive,productive things to do locally.
> In order to keep young professionals and middle to upper income families
in Greencastle,we must encourage growth! More restaurants, shopping,
nightlife, leisure activities,and better health care. Greencastle must attain
its own identity.
> I think Greencastle is a nice little town. We need more restaurants,
shopping and something for the kids and teenagers to do.
> Greencastle really needs a large fitness facility open to the public other
than the Lilly Center. I feel that health and fitness is a problem in
Greencastle.
➢ Greencastle needs to grow some. We need more dining and entertainment
options ...
> Greencastle is a great community,but the lack of dining and local art
options have me and my husband seriously considering alternative
communities. It would be a fantastic place to raise a family,but it's
boring and mundane for young single or married.
> Greencastle has great potential if it paid closer attention to the needs of
adult professionals who value a quality of life—involving greater cultural
outlets (art film venues) ...
> Greencastle needs lower gas prices, a couple nice places to eat, for
example an Applebee's or Cracker Barrel, and more good activities for the
children of all ages.
•
> Being single, I find very few ways to meet people. Would like more
upscale amenities as are found in many other college towns. •
•
•
➢ An idea that might add valuable recreation opportunities for people of
Greencastle and the surrounding area—a community ice arena. There are
none in this part of the state. ' - ' •
•
• > I do wish DePauw would allow more community members to use their
Lilly Center.
6
'• Poor effort to encourage small business, art and entertainment growth to
the downtown. •
• I believe that annexation to Windy Hill would help city tax base and that
the city or university should attempt to purchase Windy Hill [golf course].
➢ This town desperately needs new leadership and someone who
understands the economic impact of new businesses allowed into town.
From all appearances the leaders are biased. Therefore the majority of
residents go out of town for recreation.
➢ There is always some new community venture underway—right now it's
the Putnam County Museum. These initiatives are great for the
community and for the individuals who get motivated by them.
City/County government, on the other hand, is lethargic.
➢ I love Greencastle because it's comfortable, easy to get around, the people
are friendly and it's close to Avon, Plainfield and Terre Haute that I can
shop. It could be more family-friendly, in that it might be nice to have a
clearinghouse of information.
➢ I don't like Greencastle. It's pretty boring.
➢ Greencastle is not a place where a young single adult would like to live.
➢ Greencastle is a very hard place for a single person to live.
City Entryways/Community Aesthetics
➢ Greencastle and Putnam County needs a fresh look .°.
➢ We need to spruce up Greencastle. Make the entrances to the city more
attractive. Have banners year around on the courthouse square and along
the main entrances to town. Repave roads,repair sidewalks and make new
sidewalks where there are none.
➢ Please do something to clean up trash and some of the properties around
town. As you come into town on Manhattan Road there is a sign that
declares Greencastle a clean city, and there is trash all along the road that
contradicts the sign!
➢ I don't think that Greencastle is as proud or clean as we used to be.
Preservation of Natural Resources
➢ If community leaders continue to make Greencastle bigger, I will most
likely find work elsewhere. I don't want to.live/work in a bigger city,
crime is only going to increase, and I don't see a need to take any more
farm or wood land.
• DePauw University
➢ DePauw University is a great cultural asset to Greencastle ...
•
•
f •
'
➢ If it weren't for DePauw, the cultural activities in the community."would be •
non-existent.
➢ The quality of life for the residents of Greencastle is excellent.
Greencastle offers many amenities not found in small towns of the similar
size. The university provides many culturally diverse activities.
➢ I believe DePauw adds a lot to our community. Without its programs and
nature park. Greencastle would really have to improve itself to make the
grade with my family.
Town & Gown Relations
➢ Greencastle needs more diversity and needs to utilize DePauw University
to its advantage.
➢ Our Greencastle community needs to embrace diversity opportunities and
find a more open-minded approach to city government and town/gown
relationship with DePauw University.
➢ ... I hope in the future that there is more tolerance between the campus
and town. It is sad that there is a poor relationship between DePauw and
the town.
➢ I'm a DePauw student from a big city who has really like the opportunity
to live in a smaller community. Greencastle really is a nice place—a very
beautiful town. I work in town and enjoy getting to know community
members. I hope to improve relations.
Community Input Meetings - Five, two-hour community input meetings over two days
June 7 and 8, 2006 were held and well attended. A broad overview of issues were
covered , which included marketing, housing,university/town collaborations, community
building, asset and downtown development, diversity, county-wide issues, economic
development, and the rural/urban connection. During the sessions, participants made
dozens of suggestions for improvements and then prioritized their ideas by "voting" on
their top concerns. The second top "vote getter", listed after"Improve and unify
downtown: more parking, fewer trucks, more retail and small quant shops, regular
shopkeeper hours", was a"YMCA or community fitness center" (34 votes).
Within the list of Resident Community Improvement Suggestions, eight pertained to and
may provide guidance in the parks and recreation department's 5-year master plan:
➢ Develop a YMCA or community fitness center(34 votes) •
➢ Refurbish existing buildings and older neighborhoods (21 votes)
➢ Focus on making Greencastle a visitor destination(21 votes)
➢ Create bridges and accessibility between the community and DePauw
University events (14 votes)
➢ Connect Greencastle's people with Greencastle's places (9 votes)
••
8
'I
•
➢.: Family fun center•offering activities for high schoolers (9 votes) •
• > Become a more welcoming community(8 votes) •
> More successful town&.gown events (6 votes) •
Other Assets that were mentioned:
> Parks and recreation programming
> Town of sports enthusiasts
> Strong volunteerism
> Facilitate the formation of area recreational and special interest clubs
(books,participatory sports,travel and hobby)
Summary of Hometown Alliance Study
Although the goal of the Greencastle Hometown Alliance study and the document, "A
Marketing&Development Model for Greencastle, Indiana",was to examine
Greencastle's current situation in the Central Indiana marketplace and to make
recommendations for the community's development of a marketing strategy for seeking
additional business to Greencastle,much of the research collected has recreational and
leisure connotations, as well.
Tourism—The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department might consider
how tourism plays a part in both its current awareness and future amenity
development strategies. Quality recreational and leisure programs,parks facilities
and amenities, and tourism walk hand-in-hand. People are willing to travel in
• their search for positive recreational opportunities and experiences. Many of the •
municipal parks located in Greencastle offer many positive recreational
opportunities that could be considered destination attractions like the various
sports facilities offering tennis,baseball, softball and soccer(Robe-Ann and Big
Walnut Sports Parks), fishing and nature walks(Jaycee Park), bicycling and
pedestrian trails(Calbert Way and Big Walnut Sports Parks),Emerald Palace
Playground and other playground structures (Robe-Ann and Big Walnut Sports
Park), skateboarding and bicycling at the Greencastle Skate Park(Robe-Ann
Park). With the right publicity,the Greencastle Aquatics Center located in Robe-
Ann Park could also be a very big tourist destination.
Recreation Programs - In regards to recreational and leisure programming, a
suggestion was received to facilitate and encourage resident involvement in the
organization of the programs. Park officials could facilitate the formation of area
recreational and special interest clubs (books,participatory sports,travel and
• hobbies)by identifying affinity groups, individuals that could take leadership
responsibilities, and holding informational start-up meetings.
•
•
• Community and Recreation Center-Local real estate professionals are a good
• resource of information about the housing market,which can also lend
► • information helpful in the guidance of parks and recreation. Greencastle agents
•
confirm many of the state and national statistical findings that prospects in the
housing market are looking at Greencastle want new homes that are accessible to
9. . .
•
a