HomeMy Public PortalAboutCHAPTER FIVE COMMUNITY STUDY •
restaurants and retail stores, recreation and fitness amenities. and maintenance
services like.housekeeping and lawn care.
Community & Recreation Center Task Force Study
The findings secured in preparation of 2010-2014 Parks and Recreation Department
Master Plan,which evaluated Greencastle Parks and Recreation facilities and
programming, found there was a growing local interest in a Community Fitness and
Recreation center. These findings were also supported by the results from the needs
assessment completed by the Greencastle Hometown Alliance in 2006. It was realized
that need assessments can benchmark and track perceptions of the residents in a
community in regards to existing programs and facilities and their interest in seeing new
services, answer questions concerning funding for such a facility, and that the data
collected can be used to see what obstacles may threaten the construction of such
facilities and/or win enough public support to get the building funded. Taking this into
consideration, it was deemed necessary to conduct another assessment with questions
specifically pertaining to the construction of a community and recreation center facility,
thus the birth of the Community and Recreation Center Task Force.
With some members of the Task Force serving in teaching positions at DePauw
University, additional help was solicited from senior student, Colin Batko, and the
Kinesiology Department. With permission from DePauw University, Colin Batko
accepted the challenge of constructing, distributing, collecting, interpreting, and
presenting the findings from a community survey as his Senior Project required for
graduation. Ln preparation of the needs assessment survey instrument, the Task Force
teamed up with the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department to complete the project
with the first half of the questionnaire targeting specific questions in regards to a
community and recreation facility, and the last half of the survey asking questions in
regards to the parks and recreation department.
The needs assessment conducted for this study found that there was a significant interest
in seeing such a facility constructed in Putnam County. Great interest was gathered in
seeing amenities such as a teen center, weight/exercise/fitness areas, a running and
walking track, gymnasium with basketball and volleyball courts, and an indoor
swimming pool. Interest was also shown in offering recreation programs like computer
technology instruction, swimming lessons, teen center activities, aerobics, personal
cardiovascular and physical rehabilitation training, and first aid/CPR training. In terms of
funding,there was significant support shown for a tax increase to fund the construction of
a community fitness and recreation center, as well as support for a tax increase to offset
membership fees. Data collected from this survey and input gathered during public
meetings show that the residents of Putnam County would not only benefit from and
welcome a community and recreation center,but the majority of those surveyed would
also support it through their property tax base.
Public Participation: Community Surveys - In the community participation phase,
there were a total of 199 surveys submitted. Surveys were distributed through many . .
•different avenues throughout Putnam County, and then returned either to the survey
administrator and student, Colin Batko,turned into Greencastle City Hall, e-mailed to•
Mr. Batko's advisor Adam Cohen or mailed to all of the above. The subject sampling
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was completed at random and no limitations or restrictions were.placed on the subjects in
regards to race, gender or age with the exception that they reside in Putnam County.. -
-1 Approximately half of the participants, 97 of 199 or 48.7%,classified themselves•as
residing outside the municipal limits of Greencastle. In regards to the survey sampling,
females completing and returning the surveys outweighed males 148 to 51, or a 3:1 ratio.
After the surveys were collected,the answers were tabulated within an Excel Spreadsheet
data base for analysis. Questions were analyzed based on the nature of the question and
the most beneficial way to present the data collected. The following information outlines
the questions asked and the tabulated results by question from the 199 surveys turned in
by Putnam County residents.
1. Age of person completing this survey? Average was 43.7 years of age
2. Sex of the person completing this survey?
a. Male = 51 or 25.6%
b. Female = 148 or 74.4%
3. How many people live in your household, by age?
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a. Less than 5 years old = 46
b. 5-17 years old = 166
c. 18-25 years old = 56
d. 26-45 years old = 181
e. 46-65 years old = 135
,� f. 66 years of age & over = 42
4. Do you reside within the municipal limits of Greencastle?
. a. Yes . = 102or51.3%
b. No = 97 or 48.7%
5. If not, in which town do you live?
a. Greencastle,but not within municipal limits = 53 or 50.5%
b. Bainbridge = 15 or 14.3%
c. Cloverdale = 12 or 11.4%
d. Fillmore = 9 or 8.6%
e. Reelsville = 8 or 7.6%
f. Roachdale = 5 or 4.8%
g. Russelville = 0
h. Other = 15 or 14.3%
6. In which Putnam County school district do you live?
a. Cloverdale Community Schools 6 or 3.0%
b. Greencastle Community School = 53 or 62.6% •
• c. North Putnam Community Schools = 22 or 11..0% .
d. South Putnam Community Schbols = 46 or 43.8% •
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. 7. Dh you feel your community does a good job providing the following?
Strongly Agree Indifferent Disagree Strongly
agree disagree
Facility and ground maintenance 37 96 30 12 9
Natural features 27 97 41 12 7
Recreational facilities 19 62 36 55 10
Picnic shelters and facilities 25 103 30 29 5
Multi-purpose pathways&connections 36 106 17 28 5
Other features,such as lighting, 17 57 50 57 7
restrooms,public telephones,etc.
8. Do you currently own a membership to a community, recreation, or fitness
center?
a. Yes = 49 or 25.8%
b. No = 141 or 74.2%
9. The following is a list of FACILITIES that could be offered by a Cultural
Community Art and Recreation Center. Please place an X next to the 7
potential facilities that are most important to you.
a. Weight/Exercise/Fitness Area = 162
b. Teen Center = 109
c. Running/Walking Track = 141
d. Basketball Courts = 99
e. Pool-Play Area = 86
f. Community/Meeting Rooms = 81
Pool-Whirlpool = 69
h. Climbing Wall = 40
i. Locker Rooms = 64
j. Computer Information Center = 61
k. Playground = 59
1. Sauna/Stream Room = 55
m. Theater = 51
n. Ping Pong, Foosball, Pool Tables = 50
o. Racquetball Courts = 45
p. Snack Area = 39
q. Tumbling Room = 35
r. Dance Room = 33
s. Offices = 7
10. The following is a list of PROGRAMS that could be offered by a Cultural
Community Art and Recreation Center. Please place an X next to the 12
potential programs that are most important to you. •
•• a. Teen Center Activities = 142 •
b. Swimming Lessons = 125
c. Aerobics = 119
d. Personal Training = 112
e. First Aid/CPR = 110
f. Computer/technology instruction = 107
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g. Basketball-leagues = 99 •
h. Cooking Classes = 89
Camps = 82
j. Child Care = 80
k. Outdoor Challenge Course = 79
1. Volleyball = 78
m. Music = 75
n. Yoga = 74
o. Dance = 71
p. Babysitting Certification = 70
q. Pottery. = , 68
r. Tennis = 61
s. Softball = 58
t. Martial Arts = 58
u. Soccer • = 50
v. Scrapbooking = 41
w. Golf = 39
x. Board Games = 38
y. Sledding = 34
z. Badminton = 34
aa. Quilting = 32
bb. Knitting = 24
11. Would you be willing to support a tax increase to fund a Community Center?
a. Yes = 149 or 77.2%
b. No = 44 or 22.8%
12. Would you be willing to use tax dollars to offset the cost of memberships?
a. Yes = 135 or 70.3%
b. No = 57 or 29.7%
13. What is the highest dollar amount you would be willing to pay ANNUALLY
for a membership to a Community Center with the potential facilities and
programming listed above?
a. Less than $100 = 52 or 26.4%
b. $101-$150 = 47 or 24.9%
c. $151-$200 = 29 or 14.7%
d. $201-$250 = 25 or 12.7%
e. $251-$300 = 14 or 7.1%
f. $301-$350 = 11 or 5.6%
g. More than $350 = 10 or 5.1%
h. Not Interested = 9 or 4.6%
14. How far would you be willing to drive to a Community Center?
Average distance was 11.52 miles °
n - 15. Are you satisfied with the current programs and facilities offered by the
Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department?
• • a. Yes • . = 73 or 43.5%
b. No = 95 or 56.5%
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e • 16. Please rank,these Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department facilities in
order of importance to you - 1 being the most important and 8 being the least
important.
a. Recreation and Fitness Center =2.42
b. Community Center =2.83
c. More Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails = 3.59
d. Additional Playground Equipment =4.16
e. Additional Neighborhood Parks =4.28
f. Pet Parks = 5.96
g. Barbeque Grills = 5.99
h. Additional Skateboard and Bicycle parks = 6.66
17. When you and/or your family visit the Greencastle park facilities,which
parks do you use?
a. Robe-Ann Park = 181
b. Big Walnut Sports Park = 92
c. People Pathways Trails = 81
d. Jaycee Park = 30
e. Mary's Field Park = 11
f. Rokicki Community Park = 5
g. Westside Park(Courthouse annex) = 4
h. Calbert Way Park = 3
/-►R, i. Maple-Berry Park = 3
j. None of these parks = 7
18. When you and/or your family visit the Greencastle parks which facilities
within the parks do you use?
a. Picnic Shelters = 116
b. Emerald Palace Playground = 110
c. Aquatics Center = 87
d. Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails = 82
e. Little Tikes Playground = 51
f. Softball Diamonds at Robe-Ann = 47
g. Soccer Fields at Big Walnut = 43
h. Tennis Courts = 43
i. Basketball Court = 39
j. Softball Diamonds at Big Walnut = 29
k. Skate park = 26
1. Baseball Diamonds at Big Walnut = 22
• 19. Which of the following park programs have you or your family members
• participated during the last year?
° a. July 4th Activities = 93
b. . Annual Easter Egg Hunt =40
c. Men's Softball League =23 . .
d. Coed Softball League = 21 • •
• e. • S.P.A.R.K. = 18
f. Learn-To-Swim Lessons = 18
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. g. Mike Rokicki Memorial 5K Road Run/Walk-- 16
h. Arts and Craft Programs = 11
e i. Women's Softball League = 9
j. Mommy & Me Program = 7
k. Tennis Lessons = 6
1. Gingerbread House Contest = 4
m. Santa Claus Woodcarving Contest = 3
20. How interested are you in seeing the following programs being instituted by
the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department?
Very Semi- Not
Program interested Interested Interested Indifferent
Arts and Crafts Classes 52 58 39 19
Pre-School Programming 46 43 38 30
Youth Programming 91 54 8 14
Teen Programming 95 51 9 10
Adult Programming 73 62 20 15
Senior Programming 50 62 27 25
Family Programming 87 59 6 12
Aerobics and Fitness Classes 119 45 10 5
Special Events 78 66 7 11
Sports Tournaments 62 58 18 21
Christmas and/or Holiday 62 60 21 24
Public Participation: Public Meetings—A series of focus group meetings were
conducted in key locations throughout the county to solicit opinions and input from
citizens of Putnam County. Public meetings were held on April 9th, 2007 at the Putnam
County 4-H Fairgrounds, May 16th at the Bainbridge Community Building, May 17th in
the Greencastle High School cafeteria, and May 17th at the Cloverdale town hall. The
first public meeting was well attended with approximately 50 people in attendance. Only
one person attended the meetings in Bainbridge and Cloverdale, while approximately •
eight attended the meeting held in the Greencastle High School cafeteria. In review of
the information gathered at the meetings, the following key points were received:
In regards to Amenities Wanted
Walking and running track, cardio or workout room, and Yoga or Pilates
PIS classes °
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> Facility should have a direct connection . ,• 4, •
systemto the People Pathways trail
➢ Senior activities, which include: er
waging for people with joint problems aerobics, therapy pool, and water
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> Lap pool with lane lines
> Recreation activities for kids
Climbing wall-provides good exercise
and activity for kids
> Walking and runningg track, cardio workout equipment, aerobics, Yo
climbing wall—very impotent, very popular with kids ga'
> Recreation programming targeting pre-school, o
Outdoor amenities as well, not 'ust Y uth, teen and adults
walking and bang trails J indoor; i.e. Basketball, tennis and
> Recreation programinclude s should art ro _
thingsP grams where students make
> Facility should be a place to benefit health care, offering cardiovascular
workout equipment and a walking track
> Facility should provide services to meet medical and
1 like cardio-rehab patients, therapy pool for joint issues, and care needs,
trainers through possibleand athletic
Partnership with local schools; i.e. I
> YMCA or Boys Club model, which encompassesvY Tech
everyone
> Walking track, aerobics area,
adults, as well as a daycare area withP recreation for kids, teens and
Y&'ound equipment
> Facility should meet occupational therapy needs, being 100%accessible
all challenged persons with grab bars, toiletries and inclines; heated
to
therapy pool with 0-depth entry; basketball courts with adjustable goals to
accommodate wheel chair basketball; and accessible walking tracks
> Walking and running track, cardio or workout room, Yoga and/or Pilates
classes, adult volleyball courts
> Facility should have a direct connection to the People Pathways trail
system
> Basketball courts with adjustable goals to accommodate players of all ages• .
> Mini-theatre or small auditorium used to show movies and/or theatrical
• performances
➢ Walking and running track, stationary bicycles, daycare facilities while
• parents workout0 • . .
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Offer organized activities in daycare area
jam.-'Gx �"i�t '� ` rk.yo 3 sty l'Ij:r�{&1 -4,`' • i ,.-n�k rt r: _.y s...<•.
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•• > Design the building with an.",Openness"or`.`Open air feeling",offer
organized•daycare, classrooms that can double as meeting rooms and can
be rented for group gatherings,family reunions, business meetings
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> Include plentiful storage rooms '
> Offer recreational activities for people ages 3-103 •
> Indoor bicycles, walking&running track, aerobics and fitness equipment
> Great project, you have my full support! Include workout facilities for •
aerobics, weights, cardiovascular equipment, bicycles, treadmills and stair
climbers
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> Focus on activities for the kids
> After school programs for the kids
• In regards to Aquatics Facilities:
> Yes,heated water for senior citizens
> Water aerobics
> Children's activities—like Plainfield
> Lazy river
fIN ➢ Water volleyball area
> Design the pool so that activities are available for all ages, 3-103, will help
with rentals by families, businesses,and corporate gatherings
> Attractions for the whole family
In regards to Location:
> If the center were constructed in Greencastle, it would be perceived as a
Greencastle facility
> Bainbridge would like the facility to be located in Bainbridge.
> If not,have activities organized at the community center but held in the
Bainbridge Community Building
City of Greencastle Park& Recreation Department Study
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In the information gleaned from the Hometown Alliance and the Community Center Task
Force studies, it was evident that the Greater Greencastle community feels there is a need
growing interest in the creation of a community fitness and recreation center. In the
process of preparing for the City of Greencastle's Recreation, Park and Open Spaces 5-. .
. Year Master Plan,changes in the economy in 2008 created questions as to the accuracy•
of the outcomes of the study conducted by the Community and Recreation Center Task .
Force and Colin Batko, DePauw University. More specifically, with the State of Indiana •
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