Leisure Services presents summer participation numbers; top resident priorities include splash park and pool

Shannon Schafer, interim leisure services director, briefed the commission on Sept. 2 about the department’s summer programs and the results of the annual leisure needs survey used to guide programming and budget priorities.

Schafer said leisure services ran three months of summer programs that included about 3,000 summer-camp participants (roughly 200 more than the previous summer), 247 animal encounters, 646 animal visits and 197 field‑trip participants during the summer window. The department also released a user survey to support long-range planning.

Survey results listed residents’ top five priorities as: a splash park, a community pool, senior trip requests, indoor pickleball and swimming. Other frequently mentioned needs included dance and aqua classes, playground improvements, shade, arts programs and yoga. Schafer said many of those activities are already offered and that staff will explore a youth council, further engagement with nonprofits, additional community swim times, program partnerships, expansions to adult leagues and fitness memberships, an adopt‑a‑park program, enhanced naturalist events at Folly Farm, and a review of recreation fees and marketing.

Commissioners asked whether resident requests for potential health‑care services at the community center appeared in the survey; Schafer said two respondents asked for that service and it is “on the radar.” She also confirmed the department produced outreach materials and a handout summarizing the survey results and will use the new user survey to inform the long-range plan.

Schafer closed by noting the department’s goals around community, health, environment and economic development and the staff’s focus on professional development to deliver quality leisure services.