PRSR 06-16-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the sample, while Ward Four was twenty-four percent. • Quality of Life: Elk River citizens were again generally contented with their community. Eighty-nine percent approved of the quality of life there; thirty-two percent, strongly so. This level of approval was somewhat above the current Metropolitan Area norm of eighty-six percent. When asked what they liked most about the community, residents pointed to two aspects: "location" was mentioned by twenty-eight percent, while "small town ambience" was key to the same number of respondents. Twelve percent each cited "nice people" and "rural areas." "Quiet/Peacefulness" was key to seven percent, while "strong neighborhoods" was posted by five percent. It was also the future protection of these values which provoked the most unrest in the citizenry. When asked what they liked least about Elk River, thirty-one percent mentioned "growth," up thirteen percent since the 1989 study. Eight percent mentioned "high taxes," while seven percent each cited "lack of shopping," "city services," and"traffic congestion." "Lack of shopping," however, had dropped from an earlier level of fifteen percent. Smaller numbers pointed to "schools," "location of the community," "lack of restaurants," "crime," and the "lack of things to do." "Boosters"—those who dislike "nothing" about the community—were thirteen percent, a five percent decrease since the 1989 study, but still ahead of the Metropolitan Area norm. • Park and Recreation Facilities and Activities: When asked to rate the park and recreational facilities in the community, fifty-six percent felt they were "excellent" or"good,"while thirty-eight percent deemed them"only fair" or "poor." Positive evaluations have declined by fourteen percent since 1989. Similarly in comparison with the Metropolitan Area norm, favorable evaluations in Elk River proved to be twenty-four percent lower than the average. Usership patterns varied from facility to facility. Seventy-six percent of the households reported visiting Orono Park during the past year, down ten percent from the 1989 study. Sixty-three percent had visited Lions Park, down three percent, and thirty-six percent had gone to Handke Outdoor Ice Rink, a decrease of five percent during the interim. Twenty-two percent had visited Woodland Trails Park, doubling the ten percent usership figure from 1989. Fifty-four percent of the households reported using the outdoor facilities located at the schools, while seventeen percent had gone to Oak Knoll Park. Park users were asked for an evaluation of the upkeep and maintenance of the park facilities: seventy-one percent rated it favorably, while eighteen percent were more critical. • Page 2