Wheeling Park District Survey
Needs Assessment Final Report
The Wheeling Park District conducted a Community Attitude and Interest Survey this past winter to establish priorities for the future development of parks and recreation facilities, programs, and services within the community. Administered by a combination of mail and phone, the survey was designed to obtain statistically valid results from households within the Wheeling Park District boundaries.
Park District officials developed the survey questionnaire in consultation with Leisure Vision. This collaboration allowed the survey to be tailored to issues of strategic importance to the future of the District. A division of ETC Institute, Leisure Vision specializes in conducting market research and analysis for the parks and recreation industry.
Surveys were mailed to a random sample of 2500 households throughout the Wheeling Park District. The goal of at least 500 completed surveys was far exceeded with a final total of 592 surveys completed. The results of the random sample of 592 households have a 95 percent level of confidence with a precision of at least +/-4.0%.
And the Survey Says …
The survey covered 28 separate categories pertaining to respondents’
recreation and park usage and preferences. Here are a few of the highlights:
• 60 percent of households visited Wheeling Park District parks during the past year and 88 percent of those households rated the physical condition of the parks as either “excellent” (32%) or “good” (56%)
• Parks visited by the highest percentage of households: Heritage Park, Childerley Park, and Chamber Park
• Facilities used most during the past 12 months: CRC (50%), Aquatic
Center (40%), and the Arctic Splash (31%)
• Sports fields and recreation facilities rated most important: Indoor
swimming pool (37%), indoor fitness and exercise facilities (37%),
outdoor aquatic center (34%), and indoor recreation centers (31%)
• Most important parks and items: Walking and biking trails (54%),
small neighborhood parks (28%), large community parks (25%), and
nature areas/wildlife habitats (23%)
• 32 percent of households participated in Wheeling Park District
programs during the past 12 months and 93 percent rated the quality of the programs as either “excellent” (47%) or “good” (46%).
• Recreation programs needed by the highest percentage of
households: Fitness and wellness (51%), community special events
(39%), adult programs (30%), and water fitness programs (25%)
• Recreation programs participated in most often: Fitness and wellness programs (19%), community special events (12%), and youth sports programs (10%)
• Most frequently mentioned way respondents learn about Wheeling
Park District programs and activities: Wheeling Park District Program
Guide (86%)
• Organizations used most often for parks and recreation programs
and services: Wheeling Park District (45%), Indian Trails Library
(40%), schools (19%), and churches (15%)
• Improvements that received the most support: Developing new
walking/biking trails and connecting existing trails (84%) and
upgrading existing neighborhood parks (77%)
• Most important benefits provided by the Wheeling Park District:
Improve physical health and fitness (47%), make Wheeling a more
desirable place to live (39%), increase property values in Wheeling
(32%), and help reduce crime (30%)
• 66 percent of households are either very satisfied (29%) or
somewhat satisfied (37%) with the overall value their household
receives from the Wheeling Park District.
A copy of the Community Attitude Executive Summary can be found
by clicking on the link below: 