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Park System Usage <br />Over 1/2 of <br />respondents use parks <br />at least monthly <br />Over 90% use parks <br />annually <br />Playgrounds are highly <br />used <br />Woodland Trails and <br />Orono Park are most <br />visited <br />High Satisfaction Rate <br />80% of respondents <br />expressed satisfaction <br />with park and <br />recreation offerings as <br />a whole <br />Support for Trails and <br />Aquatics <br />• Trails based activities <br />are the most popular <br />features of the park <br />system <br />• While people <br />were satisfied with <br />maintenance and <br />trails, they were also <br />identified as the <br />highest priorities <br />• Bike /Walking <br />trails are the only <br />improvements/ <br />additions that had over <br />50% "Great Support" <br />• Trails and swimming <br />pool /aquatics were <br />most desired features in <br />Elk River <br />Survey results are from 384 <br />responses. <br />COMMUNITY SURVEY <br />As part of the Parks and Recreation master planning process, the City of Elk <br />River conducted a statistically valid, mailed community survey about how <br />residents use parks today and their priorities for the future. The survey also <br />included questions to gauge residents' attitudes towards providing tax money to <br />support improvements to the parks and recreation system. The survey results are <br />shown in the sidebar to the left. <br />In addition to the survey the planning process included an online questionnaire <br />to help determine priority direction for the future. Responses from over 300 <br />participants provided a snapshot of community interest, which is outlined in the <br />accompanying graphic. <br />Q1 How important are #fie following for the <br />future of the Elk River Parrs and Recreation <br />system? <br />#1 IMPWWET*1LC0NNEcrIvrrY 8%4 14 <br />CLOSETRAIL GAPS <br />�] IMPPCWEB(IS1NGPARIS • (:ON ECrT0GREXtNOMERNTRAIL <br />I 2 20% <br />. MAINTAIN EXISFFING PARKS <br />CREATE 51 GNATU RE PARKS - MAKE IMPROVEMENTSTO EXISTING Rr RKs Am oT I_ nc cOM PLEXES <br />15% 1096 25 <br />* WOODLANDTRA1L5 <br />• ORONOPAVE ANDERSON ATHLET1C COMPLEX <br />• YOUTH ATH LETIC'COM PLFX <br />CON NECrTQ THE RN'EA UnNSP.ARK <br />20° 8` 319 <br />CONNECT WhAT WE HAVE <br />LITRE RIVERFRO NIT PROPERTY AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE <br />1 - "am 11r•3rtam f '_ 3-w dl =4 � i -WAY t+pdirV <br />A GROWING AND CHANGING COMMUNITY <br />The demographics of Elk River continue to change, as noted in Chapter 2, and <br />as they change the parks must also change to ensure they continue to meet the <br />needs of residents. The greatest future needs will be at opposite ends of the age <br />spectrum. As Baby Boomers age a larger percentage of the community will look <br />for senior recreation. Despite the increase in an older segment of the population, <br />however, Elk River will continue to see growth in the number of families with <br />children. This growth will mean an increase in the number of residents looking <br />for athletic facilities, playgrounds, and youth- focused programming. Finally, a <br />small but growing minority population in Elk River may bring additional desires <br />and uses to the park system. <br />13 City of Elk River- Parks and Recreation Master Plan Draft 11 .25.1 4 <br />