What Wheaton residents want from their parks

By and large, Wheaton Park District users are pleased with the district's facilities and services, according to a recent survey.

That's not to say, however, they don't have suggestions on improvements.

Or opinions on potential future plans.

They'd like more senior programs, better customer service, and more recreational programs for adults, possibly even day care that allowed them to participate in programs more freely.

And they're not giddy with delight over plans to invest in the Wheaton Grand Theater or an indoor pool - both ideas a consultant suggested the board needs to study further and make sure they include residents in discussions.

The district hired a consultant from the University of Illinois parks and recreation department to conduct an attitude and interest survey earlier this fall. He targeted 3,000 random households in the district and sent them surveys to complete. They received almost 800.

Of those, 97.8 percent of the people said they are satisfied with the district's programs, facilities, parks, maintenance and personnel services. And 83.4 percent of the participants said either they or someone in their house had visited at least one Wheaton park in the past year. District programs drew 57.6 percent of the people at least once this past year, explained Robin Hall, director of the Office of Recreation and Park Resources at U of I.

When it came to future plans, 49.2 percent of the participants said their first choice for expanded facilities was additional bike and walkways linking parks, paths and schools in the city. Preserving open space was their second choice, 42.9 percent, and an indoor swimming pool came in at number three with 35.3 percent of the people.

Adult fitness and wellness programs were what most people, 43.3 percent, wanted to see for new programming, Hall explained, followed by more senior programs, 33.9 percent, and adult educational opportunities, 32.6 percent.

Hall recommended the district look at improving customer service, something numerous residents raised concerns with, adding more recreational programs to balance out the sports-heavy lineup, synchronize child care and program times, and find ways to accommodate families with two working parents.

He also said the park board should take a close look at, and consider discontinuing, the $15,000 it spends annually on televising meetings, something residents didn't seem to support in the survey. The board plans to evaluate the report and discuss plans stemming from its results, at a December meeting.

Survey: Board will discuss plans for district's future next month