HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Attitude and Interest Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute Executive Summary - 38
Demographics Continued
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Demographics Continued
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Demographics
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Satisfaction with the Overall Value Household Receives
Respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the overall value their household receives
from the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department. The following summarizes key findings:
Seventy‐six percent (76%) of respondents indicated that they are either very satisfied (28%)
or somewhat satisfied (48%) with the overall value their household receives from the Iowa
City Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, only 5% indicated that they were very
dissatisfied (1%) or somewhat dissatisfied (4%). Additionally, 5% indicated don’t know and
14% indicated neutral.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Most Willing to Fund with City Tax Dollars
From a list of 12 actions Iowa City could take to improve the parks, recreation, trails, and green
space system, respondents were asked to indicate which four of the actions they would be most
willing to fund with their City tax dollars. The following summarizes key findings:
Based on the sum of their top four choices, the actions that respondents would be most
willing to fund with their City tax dollars include: develop new walking and biking trails and
connect existing trails (55%), use greenways to develop trails and recreational facilities
(50%), and purchase land to preserve open space and green space (44%). It should also be
noted that purchase land to preserve open space and green space had the highest percentage
of respondents select it as their first choice as the action respondents would be most willing to
fund with their City tax dollars.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Support for Actions to Improve the Parks, Recreation, Trails and Green
Space System
Respondents were asked to indicate how supportive they would be of various actions Iowa City
could take to improve the parks, recreation, trails, and green space system. The following
summarizes key findings:
For all 12 actions, over 40% of respondents indicated being either very supportive or
somewhat supportive of actions Iowa City could take to improve the parks, recreation, trails,
and green space system.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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THREE Most Important Benefits
From a list of 10 benefits that could be provided by parks, trails, and recreation facilities and
services, respondents asked to indicate which three are most important to them and members of
their household. The following summarizes key findings:
Based on the sum of their top three choices, the benefits most important to respondent
households include: improve physical health and fitness (71%), preserve open space and the
environment (49%), and make Iowa City a more desirable place to live (49%). It should also
be noted that improve physical health and fitness had the highest percentage of respondents
select it as their first choice as the benefit they feel is most important to their household.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Level of Agreement with Potential Benefits
Respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement with various benefits being provided
by parks, trails, and recreation facilities. The following summarizes key findings:
All 10 of the benefits have over 50% of respondents indicate that they either strongly agree
or agree that the benefits are provided by parks, trails, and recreation facilities.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Indoor Spaces Respondent Households Would Use Most Often
From a list of 21 potential indoor programming spaces, respondents were asked to indicate which
four they or members of their household would use the most often. The following summarizes
key findings:
Based on the sum of their top four choices, the indoor spaces respondent household
members would use most often include: walking and jogging track (59%), weight
room/cardiovascular equipment area (29%) and exercise facility for adults 50 years and older
(28%). It should also be noted that walking and jogging track had the highest percentage of
respondents select it as their first choice as the indoor space respondent household members
would use most often.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Potential Indoor Programming Spaces Respondent Households Would
Use
Respondents were asked to indicate all the potential indoor programming spaces that they and
members of their household would use if the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department
developed a new indoor programming space. The following summarizes key findings:
Walking and jogging track (67%) had the highest percentage or respondents indicate it as the
potential indoor programming space their household would use if the Iowa City Parks and
Recreation Department developed new indoor programming spaces. Other frequently
mentioned potential indoor programming spaces include: weight room/cardiovascular
equipment area (43%), exercise facility for adults 50 years and older (39%), nature center
(37%), and aerobics/fitness/dance class space (35%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Programs Currently Participated in Most Often
From the list of 23 recreation programs, respondents were asked to select the four that they
currently participate in the most often at Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department facilities.
The following summarizes key findings:
Based on the sum of their top four choices, the programs that respondents currently
participate in most often at Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department facilities include:
Farmers’ Market (57%) and special events (24%). It should also be noted that the Farmers’
Market had the highest percentage of respondents select it as their first choice as the program
respondents currently participate in most often.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Most Important Recreation Programs
From the list of 23 recreation programs, respondents were asked to select the four that are most
important to their household. The following summarizes key findings:
Based on the sum of their top four choices, the recreation programs that are most important
to respondent households include: Farmers’ Market (58%), adult fitness and wellness
programs (29%), and special events (26%). It should also be noted that Farmers’ Market had
the highest percentage of respondents select it as their first choice as the most important
program.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Iowa City Households with Their Program Needs Being 50% Met or Less
From the list of 23 recreation programs, respondent households that have a need for programs
were asked to indicate how well those programs meet their needs. The graph below shows the
estimated number of households in Iowa City whose needs for programs are only being 50% met
or less, based on 25,202 households in the City.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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How Well Recreation Programs Meet Needs
From the list of 23 recreation programs, respondent households that have a need for programs
were asked to indicate how well those programs meet their needs. The following summarizes key
findings:
There is only one program that over 50% of respondents indicated completely meet the
needs of their household: Farmers’ Market (54%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Need for Recreation Programs in Iowa City
From the list of 23 recreation programs, respondents were asked to indicate which ones they and
members of their household have a need for. The graph below shows the estimated number of
households in Iowa City that have a need for recreation programs, based on 25,202 households in
the City.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Need for Recreation Programs
From a list of 23 recreation programs, respondents were asked to indicate all of the ones that they
and members of their household have a need for. The following summarizes key findings:
There are three programs that over 45% or more of respondent households have a need for:
Farmers’ Market (72%), adult fitness and wellness programs (50%), and special events (48%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Most Important Parks and Recreation Facilities
From the list of 26 parks and recreation facilities, respondents were asked to select the four
facilities that are most important to their household. The following summarizes key findings:
Based on the sum of their top four choices, the parks and recreation facilities that are most
important to respondent households include: walking and biking trails (53%), small
neighborhood parks (30%), wildlife and natural areas (26%), and nature center and trails
(25%). It should also be noted that walking and biking trails had the highest percentage of
respondents select it as their first choice as the most important facility.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Iowa City Households with Their Facility Needs Being 50% Met or Less
From the list of 26 parks and recreation facilities, respondent households that have a need for
facilities were asked to indicate how well these types of facilities in Iowa City meet their needs.
The graph below shows the estimated number of households in Iowa City whose needs for
facilities are only being 50% met or less, based on 25,202 households in the City.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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How Well Parks and Recreation Facilities Meet Needs
From the list of 26 parks and recreation facilities, respondent households that have a need for
facilities were asked to indicate how well these types of facilities in Iowa City meet their needs.
The following summarizes key findings:
There are three facilities that completely meet the needs of over 50% of respondent
households: youth soccer fields (66%), youth baseball and softball fields (55%), and adult
softball fields (51%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Need For Parks and Recreation Facilities in the Iowa City
From the list of 26 parks and recreation facilities, respondents were asked to indicate which ones
their household has a need for. The graph below shows the estimated number of households in
Iowa City that have a need for various parks and recreation facilities, based on 25,202 households
in the City.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Need for Recreation Facilities
From a list of 26 recreation facilities, respondents were asked to indicate all of the ones that they
and members of their household have a need for. The following summarizes key findings:
There are six facilities that over 60% of respondent households have a need for: walking and
biking trails (79%), nature center and trails (68%), small neighborhood parks (68%), large
community parks (66%), wildlife and natural areas (64%), and riverfront parks (62%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Reasons that Prevent Respondent Household Members from Using
Facilities and Programs More Often
Respondents were asked to indicate all the reasons that prevent their household from using parks,
recreation, trails, and sports facilities or programs of the Iowa City Parks and Recreation
Department more often. The following summarizes key findings:
“I do not know what is being offered” (21%) and “program times are not convenient (21%)
have the highest percentage of respondents indicate them as the reasons preventing
household members from using parks, recreation trails and sports facilities or programs of
the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department more often.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Organizations Respondent Household Members Ages 18 and Older USE
THE MOST
From a list of 13 organizations, respondents were asked to indicate which two organizations
household members ages 18 years and older use the most for sports and recreation programs and
services. The following summarizes key findings:
Based on the sum of their top two choices, the organizations respondent household
members ages 18 years and older use the most for sports and recreation programs and
services include: Iowa City Public Library (33%) and Iowa City Parks and Recreation
Department (32%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Organizations Respondent Household Members Ages 17 and Under Use
the Most
From a list of 13 organizations, respondents were asked to indicate which two organizations
household members ages 17 years of age and under use the most for sports and recreation
programs and services. The following summarizes key findings:
Based on the sum of their top two choices, the organizations respondent household
members ages 17 years and under use the most for sports and recreation programs and
services include: Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department (15%), school district facilities
(12%), and Iowa City Public library (11%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Organizations Used for Recreation and Sports Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate all the organizations their household has used for indoor and
outdoor recreation and sports activities during the last 12 months. The following summarizes key
findings:
Iowa City Public Library (64%) is the organization used by the highest percentage of
respondents for indoor and outdoor recreation and sports activities during the past year.
Other frequently mentioned organizations include: Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department
(54%), State of Iowa parks (47%), and County parks (46%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Ways Respondents Learn About Iowa City Programs and Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate all the ways they learn about Iowa City Parks and Recreation
Department programs and activities. The following summarizes key findings:
Parks/Recreation program guide (65%) had the highest percentage of respondents indicate it
as the way that they learn about Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department programs and
activities. Other frequently menitoned ways respondents learn about programs and activities
include: newspaper articles (50%) and from friends and neighbors (46%).
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Overall Quality of Programs Participated In
Respondent households who have participated in recreation programs offered by the Iowa City
Parks and Recreation Department during the past year were asked to indicate how they would
rate the overall quality of programs they have participated in. The following summarizes key
findings:
Of the 30% of respondent household members that have participated in recreation programs
offered by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department during the past year, 90% of
respondents rated the overall quality of programs as either excellent (27%) or good (63%). In
addition, 8% rated the programs as fair, and only 1% rated them as poor.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Number of Recreation Programs Participated In
Respondent households who have participated in recreation programs offered by the Iowa City
Parks and Recreation Department during the past year were then asked to indicate approximately
how many different recreation programs they have participated in over the past year. The
following summarizes key findings:
Of the 30% of respondent household members that have participated in any recreation
programs offered by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department during the past year,
68% have participated in at least 2 different programs. Additionally, 24% have participated in
at least different 4 programs.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute Executive Summary - 5
Participation in Recreation Programs During the Past Year
Respondents were asked to indicate if they or any members of their household participated in any
recreation programs offered by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department during the past
year. The following summarizes key findings:
Thirty‐percent (30%) of respondent household members participated in recreation programs
offered by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department during the past year.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute Executive Summary - 4
Physical Condition of All Iowa City Parks Visited
Respondent households who visited Iowa City parks during the past year were asked to indicate
how they would rate the physical condition of all the Iowa City parks they visited. The following
summarizes key findings:
Of the 92% of respondent households who visited Iowa City parks over the past year, 92%
rated the physical condition of all the parks as either excellent (26%) or good (66%).
Additionally, 8% rated the conditions as fair, and less than 1% of respondents rated the parks
as poor.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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How Often Respondent Households Visited Parks During the Past Year
Respondent households who visited Iowa City parks during the past year were asked to indicate
approximately how often they visited parks during that time. The following summarizes key
findings:
Of the 92% of respondent households who visited Iowa City parks over the past year, 69%
visited parks at least 6 times during the year. Thirty‐seven percent (37%) of respondent
households have visited parks 20 or more times over the past year.
Community Attitude and Interest Survey for Iowa City
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Visitation of Iowa City Parks During the Past Year
Respondents were asked to indicate whether any members of their household visited any of the
Iowa City parks during the past year. The following summarizes key findings:
Ninety‐two (92%) of respondent households visited a park in Iowa City over the past year.
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Appendix I Community Attitude and Interest Survey
Executive Summary of Citizen Survey Results
Overview of the Methodology
The City of Iowa City conducted a Community Attitude and Interest Survey in January and February
2008 to establish priorities for the future improvement of parks and recreation facilities, programs
and services within the community. The survey was designed to obtain statistically valid results
from households throughout Iowa City. The survey was administered by a combination of mail and
phone.
Leisure Vision worked extensively with Iowa City officials in the development of the survey
questionnaire. This work allowed the survey to be tailored to issues of strategic importance to
effectively plan the future system.
In January 2008, surveys were mailed to a random sample of 2,500 households throughout Iowa
City. Approximately three days after the surveys were mailed, each household that received a
survey also received an electronic voice message encouraging them to complete the survey. In
addition, about two weeks after the surveys were mailed, Leisure Vision began contacting
households by phone, either to encourage completion of the mailed survey or to administer the
survey by phone.
The goal was to obtain a total of at least 500 completed surveys. This goal was far exceeded, with
a total of 676 surveys having been completed. The results of the random sample of 676
households have a 95% level of confidence with a precision of at least +/‐3.8%.
The following pages summarize major survey findings: