HomeMy Public PortalAboutCHAPTER FIVE SURVEY INFORMATION •
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• Tax'Reassessment issues that we.•have struggled with since 2005 and the economic crisis.
that the nation endured during 2008, would the citizens of Greencastle still be in favor of
a community center project and the fact that they would be willing to support with some •
kind of a tax increase. During the creation of the survey instrument(s),that and other
questions were taken into mind.
•
While seeking information for the City of Greencastle's Recreation,Park and Open
Spaces 5-Year Master Plan,the public participation portion included a three parts. The
first two parts included a Community Survey instrument with the first targeting adults 18
&over,while the second targeted the youth population. The third was a series of
community input meetings,which included a solicitation of written surveys. Attendance
with a gathering of input at various park user group meetings, as well as a public input
time was held as part of the monthly meetings of the Greencastle Board of Park
Commissioners. A description of each follows.
Public Participation: Community Surveys-The survey form was released in early
spring of 2009 and collected throughout the year. Survey forms were distributed at
Greencastle Youth Basketball games beginning in February 2009, at meetings of the local
Rotary Club,Boy Scout, and Big Walnut Sports Park league director's meetings, as well
as the monthly Board of Park Commissioners Meetings held on the first Wednesday of
each month. Copies of the survey form were also made available at Bright Futures - an
educational store located off of the central square, Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry,
Putnam County Public Library, and Greencastle City Hall. Over 600 survey forms were
distributed during the year. Of the approximate 600 survey forms distributed, 52 were
returned.
Results from the survey are as follows:
1. What is your age? 1 —24 years = 1
25-34years = 10
34-44 years = 19
45-54 years = 17
55-64 years =9
65 +years =3 Total = 59 Surveys
2. Gender of person filling out survey? Male =28 Female 31
3. Do you reside within the municipal limits of Greencastle? Yes =38 No = 19
4. If not, in which town do you live?
> Greencastle, but not within city limits - 15
> Fillmore-1
➢ Roachdale—0
• • > Russelville—0 •
> Bainbridge_0 •
. > Reelsville—2•
.
- . . • > Cloverdale—2
• • ➢ Other- 5 •
• 18 •
5. In which Putnam County School District do you reside?
Cloverdale Community Schools— 1
/"1 ➢ Greencastle ComMunity Schools—44
➢ North Putnam Community Schools—6
➢ South Putnam Community Schools—5
6. How long have you lived in Greencastle?
➢ 3 years or less 6
➢ 4-6 years 5
➢ 7-10 years 6
➢ 11-19 years 7
➢ 20+years 31
7. Do you rent your home? Rent— 11
Own-44 '
Unknown-4
8. How important are parks, recreation services, and open spaces to Greencastle's
quality of life?
➢ Not important—0
➢ Somewhat important-3
➢ Important- 7
➢ Very important-49
➢ No opinion- 0
9. What are the primary reasons you use parks in Greencastle? (Choose two)
➢ Enjoy the outdoors and nature—27
. ➢ Use specific facilities in the park— 18
➢ Play sports— 19
➢ Picnic and general leisure activities—27
➢ Walk or bike for exercise—22
➢ Meet friends—6
• Participate in family activities—24
➢ Attend special events/concerts— 14
10. How often do you use the following parks and community facilities when they
are in season? (For each park, please make the column that describes how often
you visit.)
Frequently Rarely
Once per Sometimes (Less than
Park or Facility week or 1-2 times 5
more per month times/year Never
Robe-Ann Park 20 21 10 4 •
Big Walnut Sports Park 25 ' 12 8 7
Jaycee Park 0 5 15 35
•
Maple-Berry Park . 0 • • 1 4 50 •
• •
.19
Rokicki Community Park .0 1 5 ' • .53
•
Mary-Rogers Field Park(next . 1 4 9 45
to City Hall)
• Calbert Way Park(across from 0 1 9 49
Wal-mart)
Westside Park(Courthouse 1 1 1 56
Annex)
Greencastle Aquatics Center 21 10 10 18
People Pathways Trails 10 12 10 27
Softball Field at Robe-Ann or 16 9 15 19
Big Walnut Sports Park(s)
Playgrounds 15 10 14 20
None of these parks 0 0 0 0
11. Are you satisfied with the current parks and recreation facilities offered by the
Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department?
> Yes 50
➢ No 7
> Indifferent 2
f"1 12. if you seldom use or do not use the parks in Greencastle,what are your reasons?
(Choose two)
> Not interested/not time 5
> Feel unsafe 1
> Lack of facilities 5
➢ Poorly maintained 1
> Too far away/not conveniently located 2
➢ Do not have transportation 0
➢ Don't know where the parks are 6
> Don't know what is available 4
> Too Crowded 0
> I enjoy using the Greencastle parks 35
➢ Write in: Prefers DePauw Nature Park 2
13. How can the Greencastle park system be improved?
> Acquire more natural areas 6
➢ Acquire land for neighborhood parks 5 •
➢ Develop new parks . 2
> Upgrade existing parks 24 •
> Maintain existing parks and facilities • 19
> Build a community center 40
> Construct additional trails and pathways 12 . •
• ° ➢ Write in: Pave Little League parking lots 1
> Write in: Basketball courts 4
• . 20
14.,if you do not currently Use the Greencastle Aquatics Center,what are your
'primary tow reasons?
• Too far away; not conveniently located 0
➢ Not interested/no time 10
➢ Feel unsafe 0
➢ Lack of facilities 1
➢ Poorly maintained 2
➢ Do not have transportation 0
➢ Don't know what is available 7
➢ Too crowded 2
➢ I use the Greencastle Aquatics Center 39
15. What types of amenities should be provided to increase use of the aquatics
center? (Choose two)
➢ Better concessions - 2
➢ Family changing stations 8
➢ Better changing facilities 5
➢ More parking lots 4
➢ Active recreation water features(spray park/splash pad) 32
➢ 9-hole miniature golf course 4
➢ Bocce courts 3
➢ Additional aquatics programs 15
➢ Shade features/ shelter for rentals 11
16. If you do not currently use the pathways or trails in Greencastle,what are your
primary reasons? (Choose two)
➢ Too far away; not convenient 8
➢ Lack of trails 2
➢ Feel unsafe 2
➢ Poorly maintained 0
➢ Conflicts with other types of users 0
➢ Don't know where they are located 8
➢ Not interested in using the trails 11
➢ I enjoy using the pathways and trails 22
➢ Write in: I prefer DePauw Nature Park 1
17. What type of amenities should be provided to encourage trail use? (Choose two)
➢ Educational features and signs 17
➢ More access points and trailheads 20
➢ More benches 7
➢ More parking lots 4
➢ Restrooms 31
➢ Active recreastional features (playgrounds, sports courts) 14
18. Which of the following facilities would you support adding to the park system?
(Check all that apply)
Off leash dog park 14
➢ More picnic shelters ° 16
➢ More barbeque grills 14
➢ More neighborhood parks/playgrounds 10
•
21
•
• ➢ Bocce courts • 4 .
•
•
• ➢ Additional bicycle and pedestrian trails •20
• ➢ Recreation and fitness center 30
00) ➢ Adult sports fields 9
➢ Youth sports fields 6
➢ Community center 33
➢ Other: Basketball courts 6
Indoor gymnasium 5
19. What types of indoor recreation spaces are most needed in Greencastle? (choose
two)
➢ Multi-purpose gymnasium 24
➢ Weight room/fitness room 23
➢ Aerobics/exercise classrooms 16
➢ `Indoor swimming pool 29
➢ Large multi-purpose/reception room 3
➢ Space for teen activities 15
➢ Space for seniour citizen activities 4
➢ Child care 4
➢ Meeting rooms & classrooms 4
➢ Performance space 1
➢ Climbing wall 8
➢ Kitchen/cooking facilities 1
20. Do you participate in recreation, cultural or sports programs offered by the
Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department?
➢ Yes 37 ➢ No 22
21. What was the last program you participated in through the Greencastle Parks &
Recreation Department?
➢ I have not participated in any programs 13
➢ Write in: Coed Softball League 3
Women's Softball League 2
Youth Basketball Program 10
Soccer (not our program) 5
4th of July/Celebrate "4" 4
Picnics 1
Parkfest/concerts in the park 4
Tennis lessons 2
Gingerbread House Contest 2
SPARK 4
Lego-Mania 2
• Summer Running Club 1
Everything! 1
22.If you do not participate in recreation or sports programs offered by the
Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department,what are your reasons?
➢ Not aware of programs • • 12
• ➢ Don't offer activities of interest 3
➢ Poor quality of programming 0
. 22
> •
Held at inconvenient times- 0
➢ Held at inconvenient locations 2
> Classes or programs are always full 0 '
> Need child care in order to participate 4
➢ Too busy; no time 10
> Lack of transportation 0
> Too expensive 3
23. Which types of recreation activities are most needed in Greencastle? (Choose
two)
> Outdoor/Enviromnental programs (hiking, nature programs) 13 .
➢ Extreme sports/outdoor adventure (rock climbing, canoeing) 10
> Aquatics programs (swimming, scuba, water fitness, etc.) 23
> Special events (festivals, concerts in the park, dances, etc) 12
> Art Programs (performing arts, visual and cultural) ' 5
> Drop in activities (open gym, game room, computers, etc.) 15
➢ Fitness classes (aerobics, yoga,pilates, etc.) 24
> Don't know 1
> No new activities are needed 1
24. In general,would you support a local tax measure to maintain and improve
existing parks and trails, acquire more parks and nature areas, or develop more
neighborhood parks, recreation facilities and trails?
> Yes 50
➢ No 6
tPn > Write in: Maybe 1
➢ Write in: Undecided 2
25. What activities have you participated in the past 12 months?
1 time a 2 times 3 times per 4 times Almost
week or per week per daily
less week week
Arts&Crafts 8 2 1 2
Baseball 5 1 2 2
Basketball 9 6 3 1
(blank)
Bicycling for pleasure 7 5 3 1
Bird watching/feeding 8 1 1
Canoeing 8
Collections(stamps,coins,sports cards,Pez,etc) 4 1 1
Concerts(attend) 15 2
Cooking(gourmet) 3 ° 2 1 1 1
Cultural.Events(attend) 10 2 •
• Dancing(social) 5 • , •
Disc Golf ° 3 1 •
•
Dog Walking 5 1 4 .
• Drama(participating) _ • 1 • 2 -
• • w Exercise/Aerobics • 4 •2 . 3 3 1 .
Fairs&Festivals • • 17 4 '
. . . 23
u
•
•
•
' Fishing 14. ° 2 °
•
Football 4 2 1 1 °
• Gardening 7 . 3 1 • 5
Golf 9 2
Group Day Trips 4
Gymnastics 4 1 1
Handball/Racquetball 1 1
Hiking/Backpacking 5 1 2 1
Hobbies 6 5 2 3
Jogging/Running 3 3 1
Lacrosse 1 1
Martial Arts 1
Nature Walks 16 4 3
Orienteering/Geocaching 3 °
Photography 11 1 1 1 1
Picnicking 13 3 1 t
Playground(visit/play) 14 5 3 1 1
Skateboarding 1
Soccer 9 1 4 2
Softball 9 1 4 2
Swimming(beach/river) 10 1 2 2
Swimming(pool) 13 2 4 1 2
Tennis 6 3
Ultimate Frisbee 2 1
Volleyball 1 1
Volunteer Activities 6 4 2
Walking for Pleasure 12 5 . 3 3 4
Weight Training/Lifting 5 2 3 1
Other
26. Circle the 5 activities that you like to do most. Assume you have the time, money
and transportation to whatever 5 activities you want to do.
> Arts and Crafts 9 > Dancing(social) 3
> Baseball 5 > Disc golf 3
> Basketball 8 ➢ Dog walking/dog park 5
> Bicycling for pleasure 11 ➢ Drama(participating) 0
> Bird Watching/feeding 4 > Exercise/Aerobics 8
> Canoeing/Kayaking 9 > Fairs &Festivals 13
> Collections 1 > Fishing 10
> Concerts (attend) 6 > Football 4
•
> Cooking (gourmet) 9 ➢ Gardening 6
> Cultural events (attend) 6 •
> Golf 10 ° ➢ Lacrosse 1
➢ Group day trips • ' 4 > Martial arts 1
> Gymnastics 2 ➢ Nature walks 10
➢ Handball /racquetball - 1 ° ➢ Orienteering/Geocaching 1
° > Hiking/backpacking 3 • > Photography 8 •
> Hobbies • 4 > Picnicking 4
> Jogging/running 4 > Playground(visit/play) 7
24
. ' • > .-Skateboarding 0 > jJltimato Frisbee 1 .
➢ Soccer . • 4 ➢ Volleyball . 4 . '
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➢ Softball • 9 > Volunteer`activities 3. •
- • •➢ Swimming(beach/river) 2 ➢ •Walking for pleasure 11 •
> Swimming(pool) 18 > Weight training/lifting • 7
➢ Tennis 6 . ➢ Other: ice skating 1
t
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The following comments were received through the survey collection process... Each was
• either written alongside the affected question, or added at the end of the survey under
• • "Comments". • •
> "Greencastle dramatically needs adult rec and fitness programs." •
> "Need a place to work out."
> "Lifeguards interested in teaching."
•
• > "I think Greencastle would really benefit from a community center with a
skating rink and indoor pool to include youth and adult exercise."
> When asked why"... do not use the Greencastle Aquatics Center...", reply
• received by a 55-64 year old female homeowner was, "Staffs rudeness and
horseplay when working."
•
> When asked"How can the Greencastle parks system be improved, one 25-34
year old female homeowner checked, "Build a community center"and added,
"more inside building for children in the winter."
> When asked"If you do not participate in recreation or sports programs offered
by the GPRD,what are your reasons, one 25-34 year old female homeowner
checked, "Too expensive"and added the statement, "I do participate, but I
believe there should be a discount for multiple children [in the program]."
> One 25-34 year old homeowner mother wrote,"I think it would be nice to
have centers for children in the winter with more [activities] for them."
> One 35-44 year old female homeowner wrote, "Indoor facilities at the Big
Walnut would be awesome!"
> One 45-54 year old female homeowner wrote, "You are doing a terrific job, Rod!"
> One 45-54 year old male renter wrote, "More money to parks,a community
center that can compete with those in surrounding communities—Brazil,
Crawfordsville&Plainfield-is needed. Although they already look nice,
more maintenance staff for parks department."
> In regards to question#14"If you do not use the Greencastle Aquatics Center,
what are your top two reasons? One 35-44 year old female,homeowner from
Cloverdale checked, "Don't know what is available"and added,"I didn't
know there was one!" ° •
• > One 55-64 year old female renter from Greencastle wrote, "Very nice park!"
. . ➢. In regards to question 10 "How often do you use the following pa•rks and
• • community facilities when they are in season?", one 35-44 female Greencastle
homeowner added, "Do not know of this park in reference to Rokicki.
Community, Mary Rogers Field and Westside Parks.
• . 26
•
•
➢ In regards to'question 22 "If you do not participate in recreation or sports .•
• programs offered by the GPRD,what are your reasons, one 45-54 year old
• female, Greencastle non-resident homeowner checked,."Not aware of the
programs"and added the statement, "It's my fault—I don't take the paper."
➢ In regards to question 15 "What type of amenities should be provided to
increase use at the Greencastle Aquatics Center", one 45-54 year old female
Greencastle non-resident and homeowner added, "Fine the way they are!!"
• > One 45-54 year old female Greencastle non-resident and homeowner wrote,
"The [PCYSA]rec soccer program is too expensive and has many problems.
3 years is too young -it is one reason we don't have many playing in high
school."
> One 35-44 year old female Reelsville homeowner, answered, "Yes"to
question 24"...would you support a local tax measure to maintain and
improve existing parks and trails,to acquire more parks and nature areas,to
develop more neighborhood parks,recreation facilities and trails?" but added
"Community Center only—not more parks or trails."
> One 35-44 year old female Reelsville homeowner wrote, "The soocer program
is the best! I would love to see adult classes in cooking,photography,
dancing, etc."
• ➢ One 25-34 year old male Greencastle resident renter wrote, "There really
needs to be a Community Center with indoor mini-golf, go-cart,bike track,
skateboarding,pool, arcade, lasertag&paintball."
> One 35-44 year old Greencastle non-resident homeowner wrote, "We need
something more for the winter time. The parks, in spring, summer&fall are
nice already."
> One 44-54 year old male Greencastle resident wrote, "The municipal parks
look great!"
> One 44-54 year old male Greencastle resident wrote, "I would like to see the
parks and recreation dept. open a community, fitness and recreation center. I
would like to see the city—county be nice—put forth some money to build a
center, as well as additional staff and funding to run it. Good luck with the
project!"
Pubic Participation: Youth Surveys -Keeping in mind that we were looking to capture •
the thoughts of our younger citizens, we distributed survey.instruments during many of
the department's youth programs and other youth organizations. We targeted some of the
department's youth basketball program,the annual Gingerbread House Contests, .
411 . Brickmania Contest, as well as attended meetings of the area Girl,and Boy. Scouts.
•
Each year,-the Greencastle Parks&Recreation Department organizes the Greencastle '
Youth Basketball Program from mid-November through the end of February. This
• P • 27
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program is open to youth, both boys and girls, in Kindergarten through Sixth Grades. .•
Because of a restriction on attendance made by the Greencastle Community School
Corporation the participants in the programs attend the Greencastle schools. This means
that the participants live within or just outside the corporate limits. During the month of
February 2009, members of the parks & recreation department gave informative speeches
between games and provided copies of the survey instrument to the parents and
participants in the programs. Over three hundred (300) survey forms were distributed
through this program.
The return of survey forms from this targeted group was very disappointing. After
distributing over 500 total survey forms, only 12 youth survey forms were returned.
Although not a lot,there was some basic information interpreted:
1. How old are you? Average age: 10.75 years of age
1 —7 years, 1 —8 years, 6— 10 years, 1 — 11 years, 2— 13 years, and 1 — 16 years
2. Male or Female? 3 —Male, 9—Female
3. What are the best places to play, hang out, or have fun in Greencastle?
Responses include:
➢ Marvin's Restaurant— 1
➢ School— 1
➢ Parks - 9
More specifically
o Big Walnut Sports Park—3
o Robe-Ann Park—3
o Soccer fields— 1
➢ Bowling Alley—3
•
➢ Swimming Pool—4
➢ Movie Theatre—2
➢ 4-H Fair- 1
4. How do you usually get to the parks and recreational activities? (Choose two)
➢ Walk—3
➢ Bike—3
➢ Skateboard, rollerblade or scooter—0
➢ Drive myself— 1
➢ Ride with someone else— 10, more specifically parents— 7
➢ Take a bus—0
5. What are the primary reasons you use parks in Greencastle? (Choose two)
➢ Enjoy the outdoors and nature—5 •
➢ Use specific facilities in the park-2
➢ Play sports-6
Picnic and general leisure activities-2 •
➢ Walk or bike for exercise—3
➢ Meet friends—5 ' •
➢ Participate in family activities- 1
➢ Attend special events /concerts—0
• Don't use the parks—0
•
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•
6. What types of indoor recreational spaces are most needed? (choose two)
• ➢ Multi-use gymnasium—6
• ➢ Weight room 1 fitness room-2
> Aerobics /exercise classrooms—0
➢ Indoor swimming pool— 10
➢ Large multi-purpose reception room— 1
➢ Space for teen activities—3
➢ Space for senior activities—0
> Childcare—0
> Meeting rooms /classrooms—0
> Performance space—0
➢ Added: Climbing Wall— 1
7. Which of the following sport facilities are most needed by youth in Greencastle?
(Choose two)
> Indoor swimming pool—7
> BMX track-0
➢ Skateparks— 1
> Gymnasiums—6
> Frisbee or disc golf course— 1
➢ Tennis courts— 1
> Turf fields—soccer, football, lacrosse (1), etc. —3
> Baseball or softball fields— 1
➢ Outdoor basketball courts— 1
➢ Other—0
> No new facilities are needed—0
8. Which type of recreational activities.are most needed in Greencastle (Choose
two)
> Outdoor/Environmental programs (Canoeing, nature programs)—3
> Extreme sports /outdoor adventure—3
> Aquatics programs (scuba, water fitness)—6
> Special events (concerts, dances, etc)—2
> Sports (baseball, ultimate Frisbee, lacrosse)—3
> Arts (performances, visual and cultural)— 1
➢ Drop in activities (open gym, game room, computers, etc.)—5
> Fitness classes (aerobics, yoga, pilates, etc.)— 1
➢ Other—0
> No new activities are needed—0
9. Where should youth recreation activities be provided; i.e.where would you feel
most comfortable going? (please check all that apply)
> School—4 •
➢ Teen center— 1
➢ Recreation pavilion/shelter—4 °
➢ Shopping area—2
> Parks- 8.
• > Other—0
• Don't know—2 .
29
10. Does lack of transportation ever keep you from participating? (Check one) .
r Yes-2
> No— 10 .
11. What activities have you participated in the past 12 months?
1 time a 2 times 3 times per 4 times AImost
week or per week per daily
less week week
Arts&Crafts 3 1 3
Baseball
Basketball 2 4 1
Picnic shelters and facilities 1 4 1
Bicycling for pleasure 3 2
Bird watching/feeding 1
Canoeing
Collections(stamps,coins,sports cards,Pez,etc) 3 .
Concerts(attend) 2
Cooking(gourmet) 1 1 1
Cultural Events(attend)
Dancing(social) 2 1
Disc Golf 1
Dog Walking 4
Drama(participating) 1
to-'‘N Exercise/Aerobics 1
Fairs&Festivals 1 1 3
Fishing 1
Football • 1 1 1
Gardening
Golf 1
Group Day Trips
Gymnastics 1
Handball/Racquetball
Hiking/Backpacking 2
Hobbies 4 1
Jogging/Running 1 1 1 2
Lacrosse
Martial Arts
Nature Walks 3 3
Orienteering/Geocaching
° Photography 2 °3
Picnicking , .
Playground(visit/play) 5 . 2
Skateboarding •
Soccer 1 1 1
(.,, Softball 1 1 •
< Swimming(beach/river) 1 < •
Swimming(pool) - •
3 1 1 1 - 2
Tennis 2 1
• . , 30 .
Ultimate Frisbee 1
Volleyball 1
Volunteer Activities 1
Walking for Pleasure 1 1
Weight Training/Lifting 1
Other
12. Circle the 5 activities that you like to do most. Assume you have the time, money
and transportation to whatever 5 activities you want to do.
➢ Arts and Crafts - 4 > Hiking/backpacking—0
> Baseball— 1 > Hobbies—0
> Basketball—3 > Jogging/running— 1
➢ Bicycling for pleasure—3 > Lacrosse— 1
> Canoeing/Kayaking—2 ➢ Martial arts—2
> Collections—0 > Nature walks—0
➢ Concerts (attend)—0 ➢ Orienteering/Geocaching 0
• > Cooking (gourmet)—0 ➢ Photography—2
> Cultural events (attend) 0 > Picnicking—0
➢ Dancing (social)—3 > Playground(visit/play) 1
➢ Disc golf—0 ➢ Skateboarding—0
> Dog walking/dog park— 1 ➢ Soccer—3
➢ Drama(participating)—2 ➢ Softball—4
> Exercise/Aerobics—0 > Swimming(beach/river)—3
> Fairs &Festivals—3 > Swimming (pool)—8
> Fishing—2 ➢ Tennis— 1
➢ Football—2 > Ultimate Frisbee—0
➢ Gardening—0 > Volleyball—2
> Golf—0 ➢ Volunteer activities—0
> Group day trips—0 > Walking for pleasure—0
> Gymnastics—2 > Weight training/lifting—0
> Handball/racquetball—0 > Other- 0
In review of the information obtained, the following facts can be noted:
➢ In regards to question 3, it was very reassuring that the top on the list for our
young citizens in regards to "... the best places to play, hang out, or to have
fun in Greencastle"placed parks on top with 9 of the 12 votes (75%).
> In regards to question 4, it was not unexpected to see that the surveys said that
when participating in recreational activities that most rode with someone else
(10 of 12)usually their parents (7). It was interesting to see that walking and
bicycling were alternative forms of transportation for these young people (3
votes each). •
In regards to question number 5, it was not unexpected that the number one
%'NN • reason for using the parks was-to participate in a sports activity (6), however it -
• was interesting to see that an equal number of people(5) used the parks
simply for the enjoyment of being outdoors with nature.
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• .
• •
> When reviewing the responses to question number 6, even our young citizens . •
. , . • recognize that there is a need for additional indoor recreational spaces, and
more specifically, additional gym space(6)and the preference for an indoor
swimming pool(10).
> In regards to question 6, it should be noted that one young person added the
need for a climbing wall.
> Question 7 confirms the feeling amongst the young individuals that an indoor
• swimming pool is a sports facility most needed by youth in Greencastle(7), as
well as gymnasiums (6).
> In regards to question 8 and after a review of the responses in questions 6&7,
when asked"Which type of recreational activities are most needed in
Greencastle?"it isn't unexpected to see that additional aquatics programs
(scuba,water fitness)would rank the highest amongst the responses(6).
> As parks &recreation director, question 9 was a reassurance that our youth
feel comfortable using our parks system with 8 of 12 (75%)responses
received in regards to"where should youth recreation activities be provided;
i.e.where would you feel most comfortable going?)
> In review of question 11, it was not unexpected to see that a majority of the
• responses included participation in locally organized team sports.
• It was of interest to see that many participate in"Arts-n-craft"
activities at least once a week(7).
' • It was also nice to see that bicycling for pleasure was important.
• It was reassuring to see that the playgrounds play an important part of
the lives of youngsters with at least one visit a week(7).
• It was also reassuring to see that the swimming pool plays an
important part of the youngster's summer(7)with many visiting more
than once a week(4).
• It was unnerving that amongst the activities that the families use the
park for didn't include picnicking(0).
> Question 12 confirmed the responses in question 11 that the swimming pool is
important to the young individuals receiving 6 of 10 votes.
In closing, although more surveys weren't received from our young citizens, it gave us a
point of reference to work from and toward. The park facilities are being used,there is a
certain level of comfort when using the parks and their facilities,and the Greencastle
Aquatics Center plays a special role in the summer recreation for the survey responders.
As far as programming, programs that involve arts-n-crafts may be a good choice to offer
since many participate in that,often,more than once a week.
Public Participation: Community Input Meetings-As stated above,the project and
survey instrument was discussed and presented*at a number of public gatherings and
• . 32 •
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meetings throughout 20091. Some of those meetings were very fruitful with a vast array •
of suggestions and ideas received. Those meetings included the annual meeting of the
Friends of the Park Association of Putnam County, a planning meeting of Big Walnut
Sports Park League Presidents and Directors, as well as many of the monthly park board
meetings.
❑ Big Walnut Sports Park Board of Directors—Big Walnut Sports Park is a
privately owned and governed facility targeting youth sports. Through a
maintenance agreement with the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners, with
the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department maintaining the green areas,the
park is open for public use instead of limiting its use to "league members only".
In addition,the property has been dedicated to the parks department as a land
match for potential grant funding through the State of Indiana Department of
Natural Resources, i.e. Land& Water Conservation Fund or Recreation Trail
Grants.
On Sunday, January 17, 2010, Big Walnut Sports Park Board of Directors held a
meeting with the Director of Parks &Recreation present. Board President Adam
Cohen began the meeting with a history of BWSP, followed by the parks &
recreation director introducing the master plan process, handing out survey forms
to each member and soliciting their thoughts and opinions in regards to possible
improvements to Big Walnut Sports Park. Comments received include:
• Greencastle Youth Baseball
,''1 o Parking lot paved-would like to see the soccer lot finished and the
lots serving the baseball program paved. A question came up in
regards to a fourth baseball field, which was clarified as not being
needed and a parking lot preferred.
o Dugout enhancements—ends opened up
o Babe Ruth Baseball Field needs more program use—practices and
game scheduled
o Babe Ruth Field needs doors repaired on storage room
o Water system which is currently shut off from October 31 to April 1
needs to be left on year around
• Putnam County Youth Soccer Association
o Sufficient capacity for program—no more land needed
o Drainage is needed underneath western fields
o Indoor practice facilities are needed for indoors small-sided soccer
games, batting cages etc.
o Bathroom facilities next to the soccer fields is needed
o Power boxes to overhead field lights needs to be updated
o An air station for inflating bike tires and soccer balls is needed
• Putnam County Girls Slow-Pitch Softball
o Fourth Softball Field designed for duel use between girls and adult
softball programs to close the clover-leafed around concession stand
o Pave parking areas with paved walkways in and around facilities
o Dugout enhancements—new roofs for most
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• o Bleachers seating needs to be replaced
o Bike racks provided
n o Fences and gates repaired or replaced
• Overall Comments
o Trees planted to help with wind break and to provide shade
o Basketball courts
o Security light over playground
o 9-holes of Disc Golf added to current 9-holes
o Develop a football field that may be used by youth and adult football
programs
o Trees &decorative plants planted in tree pits constructed within the
new parking areas
o Pathways/walkways
• Link Girls Softball Concessions and bleachers to central restrooms
• Link Girls Softball to new north parking lots
• Link Youth Baseball to new parking areas
• Link Babe-Ruth to central parking area a restroom
• Link Soccer concessions to existing pathways
❑ Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners - At first it should be noted that a
portion each Board of Park Commissioners meeting is dedicated to soliciting
information, comments or concerns from the general public under"Public Input".
Toward the end of 2009 and at the beginning of 2010, a special item, "Public
• Invited to provide information, suggestions and comments for the 2010—2014
Parks &Recreation Department 5-Year Master Plan"was listed on the agenda.
These meetings included:
c Wednesday, November 4, 2009 — The monthly meeting began with a
public input session soliciting ideas, concerns and comment for updating
the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department's 5-Year Master Plan.
No comments were received. Parks & Recreation Director R.Weinschenk
did remind everyone that a copy of the 5-Year Master Plan survey
instrument was listed on the City of Greencastle's website.
• Wednesday, December 2, 2009 —The monthly meeting of the park board
was held in the Council Room in Greencastle City Hall and started with a
public input session soliciting ideas, concerns and comments for updating
the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department's 5-Year Master Plan.
Hard copies of the Master Plan survey were distributed to the youth and
parents awaiting the awards for the annual Brickmania: Santa Claus
• Challenge and Gingerbread House Contests contests. Fifteen (15) adult .
surveys were collected with three (3) youth -10 years, and up - surveys
were turned in.
•
- Comments received from adults, included: -
•o Need a place to work out • `
o Greencastle dramatically needs adult rec and fitness programs
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o I think Greencastle would really benefit from a community center
•
with skating rink, indoor pool to include youth and adult exercise
( o Indoor-recreation centers for youth during the winter
o Indoor facilities at the Big Walnut [Sports Park] would be
awesome!
o I think it would be nice to have centers for children in the winter
(more for them)
Comments received from youth, included:
o Youth photography classes
o Social dances
o More arts & craft programs
Parks & Recreation Director R.Weinschenk reminded everyone that the
same survey instrument was included on the City of Greencastle's website
if they did not want to complete one tonight.
• Wednesday, January 6, 2010 - The monthly meeting was started with a
public input session soliciting ideas, concerns and comment for updating
the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department's 5-Year Master Plan.
No additional comments were received
• Thursday, January 21,2010—This evening held the annual special
meeting of the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioner's Board Retreat
where they sat and discussed their 2009 accomplishments and then set
goals for the upcoming year. Also on the agenda were discussion of
possible 2010—2014 Goals based on the results of the 5-year plan surveys
and comments. This meeting was open to the public, although no one
•
outside of the board attended.
Topics discussed included:
o Jaycee Park Projects
a. Schedule Scobee Well Drilling to work on well issues—
including installing a new pump or more
b. Replace bathroom wall in community building, due to
water damage from leaking ceiling
c. Paint front of community building marked by spray
paint graffiti
d. Replace eaves trough on front and rear of community
building
•
e. Remove old storage building behind community
building
f. Inquire with Area 30 Landscaping about reworking .
planting beds in front of community building -
o Aquatics Center
/1. - a. Construction of a new 4-table picnic shelter on the
southside of the aquatics center
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b. Relocating fences to include some more green areas on
• the southside of the aquatics center. • '
c. Keep the aquatics center open.until.Labor Day.
o Recreation Programming—possible new w programs
a. Ground Hog Day Program
b. St. Patrick's Day Program—already held,but maybe
bigger
c. Chinese New Year's Program—already held in
cooperation with DePauw University Asian Club and
Bonner Scholar Program,but maybe bigger
d. "Don't Be A Victim" Class with the Greencastle and
DePauw University Police Departments
e. Louisville Slugger Museum/Louisville Bats vs-
Indianapolis Indians Baseball Game Trip
f. SPARK—bigger and better
g. Dinner&Murder Mystery—DePauw University
h. Police Boot Camp—targets 6& 7 grades
i. 4th of July Project
o Christmas Parade Fundraiser—Combination of the"Light
the Park"Fundraiser and the annual Christmas Parade that was
dropped by the downtown merchants,this year
a Model Rocketry Program—utilizing areas at Big Walnut
Sports Park
• o LWCF Grant Proposal—ideas for the potential grant request •
included ...
a. New Softball field clover-leafed with the Girls Softball
Program sized for dual usage and lit
b. Soccer adding a full-sized second lit field, concession
stand and walkways
c. Adult/youth football field
d. Cross Country course for Middle &High School meets
e. Additional paved parking—Little League, Girls Softball
&adult softball fields
f. Dugout repairs for Little League, girls softball &adult
softball fields
g. Construct a basketball court next to central shelter
h. Additional playground equipment
• Wednesday,April 7,2010 -At this meeting of the Greencastle Board
of Park Comniissoners; copies of the proposed 2010-2014 Parks.&
Recreation Department 5-Year Master Plan was presented to the
• • members of the park board for their review and approval to submit it
• -to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Following a review, . •
•
the park board president opened the floor for open discussion of the
Plan and solicited further comments. Two DePauw University •
• 30
• students were present and.provided information in regards to • •
community center located in their hometowns. This included:
•
eTh
o Favorite facilities included:
a. Water slide
b. Water falls
c. Hot tubs
d. 0-Depth entry
e. Lap pool available
f. Geysers
g. Splash pad
h. Rubber padded floating obstacles
o One community center in Auburn, Illinois,population 4,800
was converted from an old school building, due to school
consolidation. Facilities include:
a. Gym with a basketball court and stage. •
b. Local Food pantry services
c. Music school and practice music rooms
d. Youth basketball program
e. Day care facilities
o Further development of Big Walnut Sports Park
P1 o Collection of future surveys
a. Under discussion of the low number of youth surveys
received, a suggestion was on the next survey
instrument—purposely try to distribute it to the kids
that wouldn't normally attend the programs.
b. Wal-Mart& Kroger—stand outside and solicit
information as people enter the facility
o Facebook—look into developing a Facebook page, because the
kids now- a-days do not communicate through e-mail. They
use alternative communication methods like Facebook&
Twitter
o Teen Music Series in the Park— Similar to the Tuesday night
Parkfest Concerts in the Park, begin a music series that
provides a venue for youth bands to play
Parks & Recreation Director R.Weinschenk stated that he would take the
comments received tonight and include them in the public input section of the
document. On a motion and second, the board approved the submittal of the-5-
Year Master Plan to the DNR, signed the needed resolution and Compliance Act
form.
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2011 Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners Meetings •
• Wednesday, January 5, 2011 - At this meeting the board began their
annual review of the accomplishments from 2010, and a held
discussion of where they would like to go in the upcoming year of
2011. Ideas solicited included:
o Softball Program
• Umpire Clinic — It was felt that additional umpires were
needed for the parks & recreation department's adult
softball program, as well as the area youth leagues.
• Attract more players — It was felt that many of the local
players are playing in other communities, like Avon.
Better and earlier advertisement of our programs would
help keep locals here.
• Softball lighting — Improved lighting at Robe-Ann Park is
needed. Many comments in regards to dark spots in the
playing field have been received.
o LWCF Grant — Application for Land & Water Conservation
Funds written for additional improvements at Big Walnut Sports
Park. This could include:
• Additional adult softball field
• Shade Trees
• 9 additional holes for the Disc Golf Course — shorten
some of the existing holes and add more in and around the
/'1 forested area.
o Maple-Berry Park — Finish the east side of the park located
• behind Mamma Nunz Restaurant(tie to•LWCF Grant?).
o Create a Downtown Park — examine the chance to construct a
downtown park in the vacant lot and what may be another empty
lot (Mason Jeweler's Building) next to it. This could be the
potential home of the department's Y.A.R.T. Program.
o Jaycee Park
• Complete a Master Plan for Jaycee Park
• Utilize the Jaycee Park community building
• Monday, February 7, 2011 —Under Master Plan Update listed on the
meeting agenda, the park board felt the following department goals for
2011 should be listed in the Master Plan. They include:
o Bandshell Driveway — Construct an asphalt drive to the southern
end of the Bob Flanagan Bandshell to keep users from driving on
the grass.
.o Jaycee Park Master Plan — Hire a consultant to solicit ideas and
address issues at Jaycee Park and then design a master plan for the
park.
o Big Walnut Sports Park— Submit a grant application for further
• • development of the park through the Land & Water Conservation
'Fund.
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