Residents are offering their opinions on park services in a survey sent out for the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District. Households were randomly selected to receive the survey. Thus far, about 200 persons have returned the survey developed by PROS Consulting, a firm that specializes in park district information.
Residents are offering their opinions on park services in a survey sent out for the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District.
Households were randomly selected to receive the survey. Thus far, about 200 persons have returned the survey developed by PROS Consulting, a firm that specializes in park district information.
Parks Executive Director Debbie Kopas said the firm is now sending postcards to remind residents there’s still time to share their thoughts on park programs, facilities and offer comparisons to programs offered by other organizations and park districts.
Questions focus on:
- Whether anyone in the household has participated in a park program in the last 12 months.
- How the respondent rates the condition of park facilities.
- Whether the respondent knows of the various programs the park district offers.
- Select which of 28 programs and facilities listed the household has used, including ball fields, swimming pools, biking trails, fitness and exercise facilities and golf courses.
- Whether anyone in the household has a need for any of the 27 programs, including swim lessons, teen programs, trip, birthday parties and adult sport leagues.
The survey also asks if the respondent would support additional work on park facilities, including renovating the Irwin Center, and whether the respondent would agree to a small tax increase of between $3 and $9 per month to help cover costs.
Currently, on 37 percent of the park district’s costs are paid with tax revenue. Fees and charges cover the remainder of the costs.
PROS Consulting also will be contacting residents through the park district’s quarterly brochure, at program registrations and through focus groups.
“The end result should paint a clear picture of what the park district can do in the future to meet the expectations of residents,” Kopas said.
The H-F Park District is celebrating its 50th anniversary and was awarded the 2018 Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in the under 30,000 population category. Judging categories included long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, program development and professional development.