City launches parks utilization survey; 560 responses so far as JUB study proceeds

Ed Bridge, the city’s recreation director, told the council on Jan. 21 that the city contracted JUB to complete a parks utilization study intended to assess amenity placement, usage patterns and gaps across city parks.

Bridge said the public survey opened Dec. 20; as of the Jan. 21 work session the survey had drawn about 560 respondents (he reported 509 English responses and 7 Spanish responses) and will close Feb. 3. The study will pair survey results with stakeholder meetings — including school district input and sports‑group feedback — and JUB expects to wrap the project in early fall.

Nut graf: The study aims to guide where amenities such as basketball courts, fields and other facilities should be located, and to inform planning for new or repurposed parks, including integration with a contemplated 4th Street sports complex.

Bridge described the survey’s questions (amenity usage, overall park condition and priorities for maintenance/upgrades) and said the city has promoted the instrument through registration lists, stakeholder groups and social media. The study team is collecting both quantitative and free‑form responses and will analyze representation by council district and user groups as results come in.

Council members asked whether the survey results are geographically representative and how responses will inform the 4th Street Sports Complex planning. Bridge said the survey includes a district field and that JUB is satisfied with the response level; he said results will be used to inform siting and potential repurposing of existing facilities.

Ending: Bridge said staff will close the survey on Feb. 3 and return findings to the council as they are analyzed and the JUB study progresses.