Rockford Park District citizen survey under way

Staff Report

The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners is conducting a community-wide survey of district residents to help the board determine the best use of public resources.

The survey asks for community feedback about maintenance, appearance, safety, fees and charges, programming priorities, and groups of people who should receive priority in services.

University of Illinois College of Medicine’s Health Systems Research sent out 6,000 written surveys by direct mail to random households in the district, and included postage-paid response envelopes.

People do not need to have used Park District facilities or programs to participate in this household survey. If you receive a survey in the mail, take time to complete it and turn it in with the postage-paid envelope that is provided.

The results and comments will be reported for the entire sample, so respondents are assured confidentiality. The survey is requested to be completed and returned by June 30.

If you do not receive a survey in the mail and would like to participate, you can visit the district’s website, http://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/survey; the survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Written surveys are also available at the following Rockford Park District locations:

• Atwood Park, Environmental Center, 2685 New Milford School Road, Rockford;

• Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park;

• Harkins Aquatic Center, 910 Acorn St., Rockford;

• Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford;

• Magic Waters, gift shop or office, 7820 CherryVale N. Blvd., Cherry Valley;

• Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford;

• Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford;

• Sand Park Pool, 1041 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park;

• Sportscore One, Soccer Center, 4751 Hiawatha Drive, Rockford;

• Washington Park Community Recreation Center, 3617 Delaware St., Rockford; and

• Webbs Norman Center, Customer Service, 401 S. Main St., Rockford.

Written surveys will also be available on select dates at the following programs and events: Imagination Station; Sounds of Summer/Music in the Park; Levings Park events (Spanish interpretation available); Therapeutic Recreation programs; and various outreach events (Spanish interpretation available).

The written survey collection continues through June 30. Everyone completing an online or written survey through the Park District and providing contact information will be entered into a drawing to receive one of the following prizes: $50 Park District gift card; Magic Waters admission tickets (four total); Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens admission tickets (four total); and Golf 2012 Season Permit. Winners will be notified by phone or e-mail after July 9.

Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners President Jack Armstrong said: “This citizen survey is conducted every other year to discover citizen measurement ratings and opinions regarding current and future issues. As elected officials, we are responsible for regularly connecting with our community. The information gained from this survey is not taken lightly — it will be used in our new three-year planning cycle to determine services and fund allocation.”

In September, survey results will be posted on the district’s website, rockfordparkdistrict.org, and a final report will be presented to the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners.

From the June 13-19, 2012, issue