Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Roger Steinbrock, Recreation Marketing Supervisor
CC:	Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager Ernie Shaw, Interim Parks and Recreation Director Mark Hecker, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director
Date:	October 6, 2011
RE:	Review of 2009 Public Forums -DRAFT

In the fall of 2009, Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board with support from Parks and Recreation Department staff held a series of three public forums to discuss community parks and recreation needs. Input was sought on current and future needs in the areas of recreational indoor and outdoor facilities, parks and trails within the community. A priorities assessment survey was also given out at the forums and later was provided online to gather more input from the community on priorities for the department in the future. Nearly 750 people completed the survey at the forums and online.

The survey asked participants to rank the top three items from a provided list in four categories – indoor recreation facility needs; outdoor recreation facility needs; park development needs and trail development needs.

In analyzing the survey data, multipliers were used to offset the ranking of choices participants made to account for the emphasis placed on the selection of an item first, second and/or third, providing validity for items and how they were selected.

Results of the survey supported previous staff recommendations for additional facilities for programming, especially youth-related programs and sports.   

In the Indoor Recreation Facilities Need category the top three responses were (in ranked order): Recreation Center, Fieldhouse and Fitness/Wellness Center.

In the Outdoor Recreation Facilities Need category the top three responses were (in ranked order): Youth Sports Complex- new softball/baseball complex; Amphitheater / large event area and Youth Sports Complex – Concessions/Restrooms.

In the Park Needs category the top three responses were (in ranked order): DeVictor Park; Peterson Road Park and Park Land Acquisition.

In the Trail Needs category the top three responses were (in ranked order): West Lawrence; Northwest Lawrence and Southeast Lawrence.