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Based upon information gathered from throughout the Zimmerman, .Elk River, Otsego <br />and Rogers area, the Youth Task Force has identified the following community and <br />' individual key strengths <br />• Small town atmosphere <br />Knowing and being known by others in the community <br />The feeling of security and safety <br />• A sense of cooperation among various community groups <br />• A strong sense of family <br />• The healthy natural environment/clean air, water and soil <br />• The number and variety of organized sports, community education and <br />recreation activities available for young people <br />The following items have emerged as kev concerns among youth and adults in the <br />community: <br />• Families are under great stress <br />Shortage of time and energy <br />A need for more community nurturing and support <br />Many families lack knowledge of, and ability to use, good parenting skills <br />• Generalized lack of respect <br />Youth to adult <br />Adult to youth <br />Adult to adult <br />Youth to youth <br />Individuals to property <br />• Increasing levels of prejudice, violence and crime/losing the sense of security <br />• Gaps in availability and accessibility of public transportation for youth <br />• Need for a system of trails and parkways which youth could use for moving <br />around the community by bicycle <br />• Lack of a sense of community identity <br />• Sense that the area is growing too much, too rapidly <br />• The high cost of living and the expectation of a gloomy economic future <br />• Peer pressure and the need for approval among youth <br />• Need for a greater variety of non-sport options for youth, including safe places <br />to gather <br />• Maintaining the health of the natural environment* <br />''`The concern for maintaining the health of the natural environment was significantly stronger among <br />young people than among adults. <br />-3- <br />