May 2005, Cathedral City completed a Parks Master Plan Survey. A cross-section of the community from seniors to children, six groups in all, took part in the survey.
The "question set" used in each of the focus groups consisted of:
- How important are public provided parks and recreation services to you and your family?
- Who should be the primary focus of these services?
- What resources are currently used by citizens? What is the quality of those resources?
- What are the most important parks and recreation physical resources needed in Cathedral City? What are the most important parks and recreation program provisions needed by citizens?
- Are there barriers/solutions to meeting the needs of residents?
- Are citizens willing to be part of solution strategies to any identified existing gaps?
- What is the current "state of feeling" of the citizens regarding city government and the provision of services?
- Is there a "willingness" of citizens to financially assist with existing gaps in services?
Results :( the following is a portion of the results. A full copy of this report is attached).
There appear to be a number of common thoughts shared by citizens regardless of focus group identity. These major themes or trends are:
1. The provision of public parks and recreation resources and services is of high priority to citizens but most citizens leave Cathedral City to use programs and facilities of other city governments and pay an additional fee as a non-resident user.
2. The parks and recreation services should primarily be directed to youth and families and be focused on after school and summer programs. These programs need to be well designed, supervised and sports and education oriented.
3. the most desired new parks and recreation resource need is a community sports park with an outdoor swimming pool. The park should provide for a full range of sport options (baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, swimming, etc) as well as cultural arts options.
4. The residents are concerned with City government vision, communication, image, commitment, and funding. The concept of joint use, joint managing and joint funding with the City and other groups such as schools, non profits and the business community seemed the most logical solution to the current barriers facing the City.
Funding for building the first soccer park in Cathedral City will come from grant funds we successfully secured as well as funds from the Redevelopment Agency. Redevelopment dollars can only be used for "bricks and mortar" projects. Redevelopment dollars cannot be used for General Fund expenses such as police, fire, street repair or street sweeping. I can take these funds, give them to a developer for a project or give the money to the children and families of Cathedral City in the form of a soccer park. I believe we need to continue to form collaborative partnerships as well as build civic pride and public trust, hence I believe the best business decision I can make is to move forward to build this park. A collaborative partnership has been formed with Cathedral City American Youth Soccer Organization (CCAYSO) whereby CCAYSO will be responsible for most of the upkeep of the facility, if council approves all the contracts at the August 23 meeting. For me this is a win-win for the community and the children of our city.
|
