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Oldsmar survey: 572 park users respond; residents report high satisfaction but cite parking and maintenance
Summary
Parks staff reported 572 responses to the recent park user survey with about 75% from Oldsmar residents; respondents rated cleanliness and safety highly, while parking and some maintenance issues were flagged. Staff also updated the board on events, pier permitting, and LED field retrofits.
Parks staff told the Oldsmar Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Feb. 9 that the city received roughly 572 responses to a recent park user survey and that about 75% of respondents were Oldsmar residents.
“ We had a total of 572 residents and park users who responded to the survey,” Parks staff member Chip said, summarizing a one‑page synopsis provided to the board. Staff reported that the largest age cohort of respondents was adults 35–64, most visiting parks weekly or more, and that average visit length was about one to two hours. The top three parks named by respondents were Ariaels Park, Sheffield Park and Veterans Memorial Park. Overall satisfaction was strong: staff reported 87% of respondents said they felt safe in city parks, and 63% attended a city‑run program or event in the past year.
Survey concerns and follow up: staff identified parking at popular parks and some maintenance items as the most frequently cited challenges; the board agreed those responses would inform maintenance priorities and future planning. Staff clarified that one survey (park user survey) is a usage snapshot; a separate needs‑and‑desires survey will follow and is scheduled for fall to capture broader preferences.
Operations and events: Chip also reviewed recent events and operational items. He estimated Winter Wonderland drew about 3,000 attendees, noted the golf‑cart and bike parade included roughly 54 units, the talent show had 22 acts, and the letters‑to‑Santa mailbox collected 297 letters. On capital work, staff said the pier permitting issue with Pinellas County has been resolved and the final permit was received; reconstruction of the pier is expected to begin once a second barge is secured. Chip said LED retrofitting at the Oldsmar Sports Complex will begin next week with vendor deliveries and that new benches, picnic tables and dog bag dispensers (using recycled grocery bags) were recently installed.
Next steps: staff will ask for a volunteer to work with parks staff on drafting the needs‑and‑desires survey questions and bring proposed questions to the May meeting. The board selected member Tina to assist with survey question development.
