Consultants say security and safety are the primary reasons public facilities aren’t used
Most Albany residents do not participate in city recreation programs – and most of them choose not to because of their perception that doing so would be unsafe, a city-commissioned survey says.
“Security and safety is the prevalent reason for not participating in activities or using facilities,” GreenPlay LLC of Broomfield, Colo., said in its executive summary of key findings in its Recreation and Parks Master Plan Update.
The master plan update, which includes the survey’s results and recommendations that are incorporated into a five-year strategic plan, are the result of the City’s commissioning of a comprehensive inventory and needs analysis. The City Commission this week approved the $71,000 update to the city’s 1997 recreation master plan.
The report was both complimentary and scathing.
“The City of Albany is continually striving to keep up with the expectations and needs of the community,” the report said. “The current facilities are heavily used, and most programs have high participation rates.
“The City athletic fields are also in great demand. All organizations supplying leisure and recreation programs have numerous positive impacts including encouraging healthy lifestyles, promoting social well-being, providing opportunities and facilities for enjoyment, and enhancing the quality of life.”
While city programs and facilities have redeeming qualities, there is much work to do, the report said.
“The infrastructure needs attention, the general fund support is declining, and new facilities funded by others must consider ongoing operations and maintenance costs,” GreenPlay said.
“Overall, there appears to be a need for and support for a combination of neighborhood and community parks and not for the previous ‘hub’ concept,’” the consultant also said. Additionally, GreenPlay said, Albany needs walking and biking trails; restroom and drinking fountains in parks; picnic areas and shelters; improvements to neighborhood parks; larger community parks; and indoor fitness and exercise areas.
GreenPlay’s survey revealed that 82 percent of respondents said they feel that recreation and parks services improvements are very important (43 percent) or somewhat important (39 percent) compared to other city priorities. Recreation is not listed among the City Commission’s top five priorities, however.
Franessa Stalter, assistant to the recreation director, said the master plan update will help the department improve programs and activities to increase residents’ health and fitness; create and maintain safer parks and facilities; and enhance property values and tourism opportunities.
Following are other highlights of the GreenPlay survey of Albany citizens:
About 25 percent of residents – which GreenPlay says is a low number – utilize the Recreation and Parks Departments services.
More than 60 percent of surveyed residents expressed a willingness to pay fees for programs and services beyond the current fees and what they are paying in property taxes.
Upon being asked how they would spend $100 for parks and facilities, residents aid they would spend $37 on improvements and maintenance of existing parks, playgrounds and recreation facilities; $22 on new indoor recreation facilities; $14 on walking and biking trails; $12 on park land and open spaces; $12 on new outdoor aquatic and sports facilities; and $3 on other improvements.
