Parks and Recreation Master Plan Public Draft

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR

To the Community of Woodstock,

I am pleased to introduce Woodstock's 2024 Parks and Recreation Plan—a visionary initiative that aims to transform our parks into vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic spaces that truly reflect the spirit of our city, and that will guide our future development. This plan is the result of dedicated community input, thoughtful planning, and a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for every resident.

Here’s a glimpse of the exciting initiatives within this plan:

1. High Quality Spaces: We are committed to investing in our existing parks, ensuring they are well-maintained and meet the evolving needs of our community. This includes updating amenities, improving trails, and enhancing green spaces for community gatherings.

2. Recreation Facilities and Features: Our plan includes recommendations for developing recreational spaces that cater to the diverse interests of our residents. From sports fields and courts to picnic spots and community gardens, we aim to foster recreation and togetherness.

3. Connectivity: We are focused on making Woodstock a place that fosters community connections. This plan includes initiatives to enhance the connectivity of our parks and regional values, making it easier for everyone to access and enjoy our green spaces.

4. Enhanced Safety and Maintenance: The safety and enjoyment of our community are top priorities. We are investing in improved lighting, regular maintenance, and clear signage to ensure our parks are welcoming and secure for all.

I believe you’ll share my enthusiasm for the opportunities and improvements we have in store for our parks. I encourage you to stay involved and look out for upcoming events where we’ll share our progress and next steps. Together, we can make Woodstock’s parks the heart of our vibrant city.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

Michael Turner, Mayor

Darrin Flynn

Melissa McMahon

Tom Nierman

Bob Seegers

Gordie Tebo

Natalie Ziemba

CITY OF WOODSTOCK

Roscoe Stelford, City Manager

Christina Betz, Executive Director of Operations

Danielle Gulli, Executive Director of Business Development

Mark Pentecost, Parks and Recreation Director

Dave Zinnen, Recreation Director (past)

Brent Aymond, Public Works Director

Nicole Lewakowski, Administrative Analyst

John Mecklenburg, Parks and Streets Supervisor

WOODSTOCK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

Mike McCleary, Chair

Jason Cohen

Karen Gutierrez

Shannon Jackson

Peter Riis

CONSULTANT TEAM

DESIGN WORKSHOP

Anna Laybourn, Principal in Charge

Manisha Kaul, Principal in Charge

Sara Egan, Project Manager

Ashley McKnight, Planner

Alexandra Pollock, Planner

BALLARD KING & ASSOCIATES

Scott Caron

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS...

Project Lead the Way

Woodstock High School

Master Plan Advisory Committee

Focus Group participants

LIST OF FIGURES

WEXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PLAN OVERVIEW

The City of Woodstock has consistently planned for parks and open space from the very inception of the community with the siting of Park in the Square or “Court House Square” in the original community of Centerville in 1844. The city continued its commitment to providing proper planning for parks and open space through the most recent Parks Master Plan, adopted in 2006. As many of the goals within that guiding document were worked towards and accomplished, Woodstock’s dedication to parks planning is now being modernized and refocused once again. This document will support ongoing efforts to expand and improve park and recreational facilities for Woodstock residents. As Woodstock continues to grow and change, it is imperative that the park system receive the level of investment necessary to meet the social, cultural, and recreational needs of the community, and to ensure long-term sustainability and resiliency of these lands.

Input from citizens and community leaders has made clear that this plan must focus on addressing a backlog of maintenance projects and updating recreation amenities in poor condition, yet almost equally important to the community is the development of new recreational opportunities and improving connections between parks, community destinations and natural areas (Figure 1).

As the city looks to the future, its biggest hurdle is obtaining funding and staff resources needed to care for parks, recreation, open spaces, and trails as well as support programming and events. With additional resources, community support, and prioritization of investments, the city can continue to take transformative actions to ensure the park system is flourishing for generations to come.

"We

PLAN PURPOSE

WHY PLAN?

"The

"Every park should be fully accessible."

"I would love a

The Parks Master Plan is a guide for the future of Woodstock’s parks over the next 10-15 years. The plan will model a high-quality, unique park system that serves the community equitably, promotes health and wellness, improves quality of life, and connects people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Building on Woodstock’s rich history, natural beauty, and strong sense of community, the plan will communicate the city’s commitment to preserving, enhancing, and balancing distribution of parks, open spaces, and recreational amenities for the benefit of all community members.

This plan addresses the following questions: Where should there be new parks?

• How can park facilities be improved?

• How are the current parks functioning? How can they better serve the community?

• How can the Recreation Department programming better serve the community?

• How can the park system be more accessible and welcoming to all? How will the City fund the plan?

• How does the plan’s priorities impact the capital budget?

• What capital projects should be prioritized within the next decade?

Figure 1: Community Survey Question Responses

Groundhog Day Celebration at Park in the Square

"Have features such as bike trails and hiking trails that bring people to town."

"I would like to see accessible playgrounds and recreation with soft surfaces and plenty of shade."

need to focus on the existing parks and the maintenance they require."

park department should work with Woodstock to develop an ADA plan."

park with more to do for bigger kids."

PLAN OVERVIEW

PLAN FRAMEWORK

The plan is organized by a series of “themes” identified through community and stakeholder engagement. The document provides:

1. A brief history of the park system.

2. A summary of recreation trends and user groups.

3. An overview of related planning efforts.

4. A summary of the existing state of parks and recreation including an inventory and level of service analysis.

5. A description of the plan principles and key takeaways from stakeholder and community engagement.

6. A clear set of priorities for short, near and long-term implementation to aid City staff, Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council in decision-making.

7. A set of goals, actions and policy recommendations to address the opportunities outlined by the community.

Equity

ALIGNMENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

This plan should be considered a supporting element of the Comprehensive Plan as a path to achieve the vision set forth: “Public facilities, such as schools and parks, provide high quality services to residents and have the capacity to support growth.” This plan provides additional details to achieve comprehensive plan goals related to the maintenance, management and enhancement of Woodstock’s parks and open spaces as well objectives related to safe pedestrian and bicycle paths, management of natural resources, environmental preservation, and maintenance related to the parks and recreation system. The Comprehensive Plan identifies lands for new residential development, while this plan provides guidance as to how the parks and recreation system can maintain National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) level of service standards as the community grows.

CITY SERVICE AREA

The City of Woodstock's official jurisdiction extends to the corporate limits of the city. However, the role of the city's park and recreational services extends well beyond these political and taxation boundaries. The city is situated in the center of McHenry County and is surrounded mostly by unincorporated land. These surrounding unincorporated residents are part of, and served by, the McHenry County Conservation District, but there is no other park district or adjoining jurisdiction that offers the variety of facilities and recreation programs offered by the City of Woodstock. The result is that the City's facilities and programs are also used extensively by these non-residents. The primary planning area has a population of 25,630, while the school district takes in a population of 38,189. For this plan to be realistic and meaningful, it must account for this additional population. The Parks and Recreation Commission advises and provides recommendations to the CIty Council to assist with the planning and operation of the city's Park and Recreational facilities.

VISIONING PROCESS

VISION

This Park System Master Plan is Woodstock’s first park system master plan in nearly 20 years. This process offered the planning team the opportunity to understand residents’ perspectives on values, current park use, recreational needs and opportunities for improvement. Engagement included a community-wide survey, focus groups, youth workshops and a community workshop. Additionally, the Advisory Committee, representative of Woodstock’s diversity from across the city—provided invaluable guidance and leadership through the process. Around 1,000 community members provided their input during the planning process.

This Plan is a culmination of community engagement and thorough analysis. The following process indicates how engagement opportunities were woven into the plan’s creation:

Existing Conditions: This phase served to gain a thorough understanding of existing conditions to develop an inventory, review past planning efforts, review the parks system per NRPA standards and compare local trends to national trends centered on engagement with the Parks and Recreation Departments.

Analysis: During this phase, the team completed an analysis of current conditions through the lens of equity, access and distribution of parks and recreation opportunities as well as any gaps in park space, amenities and programming. This phase concluded with the identification of challenges and opportunities through focus group and Advisory Committee discussions and a city leadership briefing.

A Shared Vision: The visioning phase included additional focus group discussions, Advisory Committee meetings, youth engagement at Woodstock High School, a community workshop and open house, and a communitywide survey. Through the culmination of this phase, a set of plan themes, listed on the following page, were established and endorsed.

1. EQUITY

Promote inclusion in our park spaces, facilities, and programs ensuring that all persons have equitable and appropriate access to Woodstock’s park and recreation system.

2. PLACEMAKING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Coordinate park system strategic direction with Woodstock’s economic development objectives.

3. NATURAL RESOURCES

Strengthen the coexistence between nature and community through preservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of parks, fostering biodiversity, and encouraging environmental consciousness among residents.

4. ACCESS

Ensure all residents are within a safe 10-minute walk from parks.

5. INVESTMENT

Invest in Woodstock’s future.

PLAN CONTEXT PLAN PURPOSE

PAST,

OF THE PARK SYSTEM

Woodstock's commitment to parks has not faltered throughout its history, despite the many changes that have occurred to the system over the last 150 years. The City of Woodstock’s long-term dedication to public open space is apparent with the establishment of the city being centered around the Park in the Square back in 1844. Today, the Park in the Square still serves as a central focal point for the community and a crucial portion of the park system. Following the development of Park in the Square, the City issued a permit for Olson Park in 1939, then purchased land for Emricson Park (then called City Park) in 1945 before unveiling the plans for Ryder’s Woods in 1965. The commitment to serving residents and visitors was further solidified through the

development of the Parks and Recreation Commission in 1996, though this commission took on several names prior, with the intention to serve as a recommending and supporting body to City officials regarding parks and recreation activities for the City of Woodstock.

The Parks System continues to evolve and advance, as seen in the completion of the Merryman Fields Park and the near completion of the Intergenerational Inclusive Playground. Consistent dedication to catering to the needs of system users has laid the groundwork for a valuable network of parks and open spaces. This Plan will guide decision makers to ensure that this commitment to providing high-quality opportunities for all remains at the forefront of future planning processes.

It is critical to take community demographics into consideration when planning for the future of parks and recreation in order to provide opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Woodstock’s population is 25,538 (ESRI, 2023). Over the past 20 years (between 2000 and 2020) Woodstock’s population rapidly grew by over 70%. Growth steadied between 2010-2021, however was still larger than the growth experienced across McHenry County. The average household size of Woodstock is 2.52 and estimated to decrease to 2.48 by 2025. Although the household size is estimated to decrease, according to Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Woodstock is projected to grow by approximately

4,300 households. In terms of ethnicity, the population is largely White (69.3%) followed by Hispanic (26.9%), and Black (2.9%). Woodstock Parks and Recreation must continue to implement strategic actions to welcome, support, and cater to the current and future population. For instance, steps that Woodstock can take include providing signage in multiple languages, parks near new home development, and multi-generational recreation programs.

Historic Woodstock

Source: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Woodstock Community Data Snapshot (2024), ESRI Business Analyst, US Census Bureau

Figure 3: Community Profile Metrics

CONNECTION TO OTHER PLANS

This Plan supports and works together with foundational planning efforts that came before it. This ensures that the efforts put into previous plans are brought forward and grown upon. Existing planning efforts include the Comprehensive Plan, Green Infrastructure Plan, Environmental Plan, Streetscape Design Guidelines, Downtown Business Historic Preservation District Guidelines, Downtown Development Plan, 2005 Parks Master Plan, Branding Survey Outreach, and Public Arts plan.

Existing recommendations and goals that affect Woodstock’s park and recreation system, either directly or indirectly, were documented and used to inform this plan. There were multiple recurring recommendations across each of the plans. These include:

• Utilize private development to gain parks and open space and/or necessary recreation to meet the needs of a growing population.

• Preserve the historic aspect of the Square and Woodstock.

• Continue to emphasize the Square as a unique asset for the City of Woodstock by highlighting it through future development guidelines.

Work with partnerships to preserve natural assets and create local and regional trails.

RECREATION TRENDS

Nationwide recreation trends are an important consideration for the future of Woodstock’s park and recreation system as they outline recurring desires and opportunities that Woodstock will likely see. This plan places Woodstock in the wider context of regional and nationwide trends. By examining regional patterns, Woodstock can align goals with neighboring communities to ensure collaboration towards shared goals and resource management, promoting both accessibility and regional collaboration. Additionally, integrating national trends allows Woodstock to incorporate best practices in sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, ensuring that its park and recreation facilities remain relevant and appealing.

Public parks and recreation agencies have been challenged in the last 10 to 20 years to alter their approach to providing parks and recreation services. This has been based on the following:

• Increasing Demands: Ever-increasing facility, program, and service demands from the public.

Inclusiveness: The requirement that agencies provide access to facilities, programs, and services to an increasingly diverse population. This includes meeting the needs of different ethnic groups, economic status, age, and ability.

• Cost Effectiveness: A demand that parks and recreation agencies be more cost effective in their development and operations of services and facilities.

• Measurable Outcomes: A strong need to be able to quantify the results and benefits of the programs and facilities that are provided. Establishing well defined levels of service (LOS) are critical.

Youth basketball

PLAN CONTEXT

Table 1: Nationwide Recreation Trends

AREA

SPECIFIC PROGRAMS

Sports   Youth Lacrosse

Adult Soccer

Adult Cricket

Youth & Adult Rugby   Pickleball

Youth Camps and Clinics

Individual Sports (Fencing)

Adventure/Non-Traditional (BMX, Mountain Biking, Disc Golf, Ultimate Frisbee)

E-Sports Competitions and Tournaments

Youth Sports Specific Training   Fitness/Wellness   Functional Training Classes

Personal/Small Group Training

Yoga

Nutrition/Cooking

Healthy Lifestyle Education   Cultural Arts

Youth

Music Production for Youth

Digital Media

Before and After School Programs at Recreation Centers, Specialty Summer Camps   Education   Camps, STEAM    Outdoor   Eco-Tourism

Environmental Education   Seniors

Fitness/Wellness

Sports (pickleball)

Baby Boomer Focused Activities   Aquatics   Therapy

Triathlon Training

General Interest   Personal Finance

Cooking

Special Events   Community Wide Events   Health and Wellness

Social Services   Feeding Programs, Job Training, Educational Support, Childcare   Other   Virtual Programming

Youth ballet

WTHE EXISTING STATE OF THE SYSTEM

CURRENT PARKS AND RECREATION

ECOSYSTEM OF PROVIDERS

STAFF

With limited staff and planning time, the city has a rather disjointed approach to maintaining parks and facilities as well as providing recreation programs, handling special events and operating facilities. The Parks Division operates within the Department of Public Works under the umbrella of Operations. The Recreation Department operates under the umbrella of Business Development. Other departments and divisions handle various aspects of providing parks and recreation to the community with Facilities and Fleet Maintenance in Operations and Marketing and Communications in Business Development.

Furthermore, special events are coordinated and approved by the city managers office instead of a special team administering events.

Staffing within Parks and Recreation is limited and is divided into a number of areas as follows:

Parks Maintenance: This area has 10.5 full-time staff to maintain the park system. Two staff members are dedicated to Park in the Square leaving the remainer (8.5) to the rest of the system. Worthy to note is that special events are staffed by Parks Maintenance, creating time and staff conflicts for scheduled maintenance. Special Events are also most often held on weekends requiring staff to work overtime.

Recreation Programs: There are 4 fulltime staff that oversees the aquatic center, playground program, sports leagues, swim lessons, special events and all other programs provided by the City.

Recreation Center: There is 1 full-time staff that is responsible for the operation and management of the recreation center.

Aquatic Center: There is not a full-time staff that is responsible for the operation and management of the aquatic center.

Facility Maintenance: There are 2.5 full-time staff that is responsible for the maintenance of all city facilities.

Fleet Maintenance: There are 3 full-time staff responsible for the maintenance of all city vehicles and equipment.

Marketing and Communications: There are 4 full-time staff responsible for the development and promotion of information related to services provided by the City of Woodstock. Given that they are not dedicated specifically to parks and recreation, a portion of marketing content produced by recreation is done by the existing recreation staff.

Figure 4: Recreation Department Organizational Chart

Figure 5: Public Works - Parks and Streets Organizational Chart

CURRENT PARKS AND RECREATION

Benchmarking serves as a guide to assess staffing levels. Parks and recreation services are complex due to the differences in the approach and standards of each community. Parks staff in Woodstock is under Public Works (Figure 5) so there are shared resources, but analysis has highlighted that parks are often a lower priority. In general, this is a relatively low level of staffing for current operations of parks and other facilities. With the commitments that this plan requires, including the development of additional parks and trails and improvement of programming, additional staff and restructuring is required.

One full time employee in parks (2,080 hours of work) can be accomplished with 2 part-time or seasonal staff working 1,000 each or 1 fulltime working year-round. With full-time staff, there is an additional cost-benefit to balance with the appropriate tasks during the winter months. Typically, full-time staff more reliable, consistent and held to a higher standard. Parttime/Seasonal staff provide flexibility to work during the busiest times of the year, but filling positions can be difficult. As a result, in order to consistently meet the needs of the community and address the current staffing challenges, Woodstock needs additional year-round fulltime park staff.

It is important to realize that the ability to deliver a wide range of parks and recreation facilities, programs and services is impacted by the structure of the organization. With the City of Woodstock recognized as the primary provider of parks and recreation services within the community, the divisions should be combined to further solidify this standing and emphasize the commitment of resources. Structuring the department into one entity allows for better communication and coordination. While parks will still rely on Public Works for assistance at times, the staff will be able to focus on their primary mission which is to maintain the parks.

A single parks and recreation department allows for a distinct identity for the community. It can be more responsive to requests as staff will understand the needs and preferences for using recreation spaces, programs and services, and the impact on operations maintenance. There is clear leadership and accountability reducing the complexity of managing departments with separate and district priorities. This consolidation has already begun with the hiring of a Parks and Recreation Director. Further efforts should be continued.

Increase in staff would allow for expanded recreation opportunities.

CURRENT PARKS AND RECREATION

ECOSYSTEM OF PROVIDERS

With financial and staff capacity constraints, Woodstock cannot provide all of the opportunities that the community utilizes alone. There are many recreation programs in Woodstock that are offered by organizations outside of the Parks and Recreation Department. By taking advantage of relationships with community partners, Woodstock can continue to increase the programs available to the community. Those that currently exist and are provided by other organizations in the community outside of, or in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department or the City include:

• McHenry County Conservation District

Dorr Township

• Woodstock Opera House

• Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA)

• Marian Central Football

Woodstock Thunder Football (Flag & Tackle)

• Woodstock Thunder Cheer

• Woodstock Dolphins Swim Team

• Woodstock Hoops Feeder Basketball

Travel Girl’s Basketball

Woodstock United Soccer Association

• Woodstock Cyclones Wrestling Club

• Woodstock Square Dance Club

• Woodstock Girls Softball

Sportscity Heatwave

• Woodstock Little League

• Woodstock Challenger League

• Heat Travel Baseball

Rawlings Tiger Baseball/Softball

Adult Men’s Baseball

PARK CLASSIFICATIONS

The City of Woodstock’s parks and open space system is comprised of 24 park properties constituting approximately 644 acres. The system is classified into five distinct park types, based on characteristics of the park such as size, amenities offered, purpose for use, access and length of stay. Table 3 provides a description of each classification type. Neighborhood parks, which range from 1.5 – 10 acres in size, are the most common park type found in Woodstock, followed by natural areas. Natural lands make up the largest portion of the system by acreage, encompassing over half of the system with 355 acres (55%).

- 10 acres

Park

Neighborhood Parks are relatively small parks located in residential neighborhoods. These parks serve specific neighborhoods and have amenities that reflect those neighborhoods' characteristics and needs. Neighborhood Parks should be welcoming and accessible for children, family groups, small neighborhood gatherings, and senior citizens.

Community Park

10 - 30 acres

Community Parks meet the day-to-day park and recreational needs of Woodstock residents. These parks are a focal point for communitywide activities and group gatherings. They provide facilities that serve a broad audience and balance active and passive recreation needs. Community Parks usually have both day and evening activities and are distributed throughout the city.

Regional Park

10 - 50 acres

Regional Parks serve the entire community, including those in and around Woodstock, with their unique amenities. These parks bring people together at community- wide events and promote tourism and economic development.

Special Use Facility

Size Varies

Open

Special Use Facilities are parks with recreational facilities that serve specific types of users from across the city and region - such as soccer and softball teams, disc golf players and skateboarders.

Space/Green Space

Size Varies

These spaces typically provide environmental benefits, natural scenery, and unique features. They afford a pleasant environment to engage in passive recreation; preserve significant views and wildlife habitat; and provide outdoor and nature-oriented activities for residents and tourists. These lands protect sensitive environmental features such as steep slopes, floodplains and wetlands.

Conservation Area

Children's summer camp and sponsors.

Table 3: Park Classifications

Raintree Park

Emricson Park

Merryman Fields

Hennen

CURRENT PARKS AND RECREATION

Figure 6: Park Classifications

Hennen

CURRENT PARKS AND RECREATION

SYSTEM INVENTORY

Table 4 identifies metrics for Woodstock’s existing inventory as it compares to recommendations from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This assessment considers amenities per number of 1,000 residents. Comparing these numbers is important in providing the residents of Woodstock with adequate level-of-service.

According to table 4, the city exceeds NRPA level of service recommendations with the exception of soccer fields. The level of service analysis on the following pages will further discuss Woodstock’s current conditions and future needs.

It should be noted that while NRPA national averages have set the tone and direction for park planning efforts for many years, it is increasingly becoming a best practice to develop multiple measures of quality of parks provision to evaluate level of service. In addition, establishing goals for level of service could consider comparison to benchmarked communities that are comparable in characteristics, such as size, regional location, culture/recreational trends, or climate.

Table 5 identifies the existing amenities within Woodstock’s parks. Please see the Appendix for the full park inventory. While there may be an ample amount of amenities, it is important to note the difference between quality and quantity. For instance, while there are multiple soccer fields at Davis Road Park, these fields do not have amenities that provide opportunities for hosting tournaments such as bathrooms, benches, and lighting.

CURRENT PARKS AND RECREATION

VISITOR DATA AND USER PROFILES

An online software system, NEAR, was utilized during this planning process to better understand the system users. NEAR is a provider of mobility data that analyzes historical visitation patterns for individual sites or systems of sites based on aggregate location data from cell phones. The data analyzed captured visitors from 7 months up to 12 months. The time captured was strategically selected to capture all seasons and high-traffic holidays. NEAR data has important considerations worth noting:

NEAR uses data that comes from cellphone users. Therefore, data does not accurately represent park users without cellphones, such as those under a certain age or visitors who cannot financially obtain one.

NEAR data should also be reviewed alongside the number of park users (See Analysis #1). Parks with higher annual visitors, such as Emricson and Park in the Square, likely have visitors that vary more in demographics. However, parks such as Apple Creek Park, that are tucked away in neighborhoods, are likely utilized by residents surrounding it and therefore, vary less in demographics such as income and age.

• NEAR data represents the park visitors, not the residents living around the parks. The park users may reflect a different story than that of the surrounding residents.

There were several key findings from this analysis identified below.

1. In general, park visitors throughout the entire system are reflective of the overall demographics in the city with three exceptions. One exception is that the median household income of park visitors which is $10,132 over Woodstock’s median household income. Hispanic visitors are also underrepresented as park users, making up 17% of park visitors but 22% of the citywide population. Lastly, the percentage of people visiting parks with high school education

(27%) is much lower than the percentage of Woodstock residents with a high school degree (34%).

2. The majority of park visitors are under 18, and the number of park visitors this age is likely larger when visitors without cellphones are considered. Most visitors under 18 have visited Castle Road Park. This is interesting because this reflects that more children are visiting an undeveloped park, rather than parks with amenities such as a playground or courts. On the other hand, McConnell Road Park has the highest percentage of visitors over the age of 65. This may be in part due to the passive and active amenities offered here. The park is comprised of open land for multi-uses, a path that can be utilized by bikers, walkers, and runners, tennis courts, as well as a playground. Mary Ann Street Park has the lowest percentage of visitors under 18 and over 65. However, it does see the highest percentage of visitors ages 18-24 and 45-54. This can speak to the importance of this park for young adults and families, given its centralized location in a neighborhood and its amenities: basketball, open field, and a playground.

3. The percentage of visitors by race across every park aligns with all the city’s overall demographic breakdown. The highest percentage of African American visitors, which is significantly higher than the city’s percentage (2%), were captured in Raintree Park (6%). Raintree Park features a playground and an open space that is being transformed into a meadow.

4. "Common Evening Location" identifies where a device rests in the evening and can be used to estimate where park visitors live. This location is derived based on where it rests during “non work” hours (6pm – 8am) and weekends. Table 6 displays the most common zipcodes for Park in the Square visitors. Unsurprisingly, a majority of visitors live in Woodstock (37.82%). This is followed

by visitors from Crystal Lake (5.48%) and Greenwood (5.36%). Users may be visiting Park in the Square for a variety of reasons. However, because it does not have parklike amenities, such as courts or playgrounds, it is likely that they may be visiting for events. The overall system can leverage adjacent visitors who are already visiting Woodstock by considering what amenities and events can be offered in other city parks that adjacent neighborhoods do not have.

Figure 7: NEAR Visitation Map

LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS

Currently, 89% of households in the City of Woodstock are within a 10-minute walk of a public park or natural land. While this is significantly higher than the national average of 55%, it is not the only measure of a complete parks, recreation, and natural lands system. This chapter evaluates Woodstock’s current parks, recreation offerings and natural lands to identify gaps in service, under-served areas or populations, and shortfalls in quality or maintenance. The analysis is reviewed through multiple equity lenses to ensure that changes to the park system do not have disproportionate consequences on people

based on their race, income, disability, gender, age, where they live, and more.

Closer examination of eight questions below point to aspects for improvement:

» Do we have enough parks?

» Are parks located in the right places?

» What are the conditions of parks and recreation?

» Are facilities meeting program needs?

» Are we managing natural lands to meet environmental goals?

» Is our system equitable and inclusive?

» How well are parks funded?

PARK ACREAGE

A common measurement to assess level of service (LOS) is park acreage compared to the population. Woodstock currently offers 644 total acres of parkland for its 25,538 residents, or a LOS of 25.21 acres of parks per 1,000 residents. This is significantly higher than the NRPA average of 10.8 acres per 1,000 residents, and even exceeds the NRPA average of 11.3 acres per 1,000 residents for cities with populations between 20,000 and 49,999.

Woodstock is projected to add approximately 4,300 residents by 2050, bringing the total population to approximately 29,838. If no additional parkland was added, Woodstock’s LOS would be 21.58 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, which would still exceed NRPA standards.

This data provides a baseline understanding of Woodstock’s parks and indicates that the City has an appropriate amount of parkland for its current population and projected growth. However, park acres must be designed, distributed, and programmed effectively to ensure the system is working as it should.

PARK CLASSIFICATIONS

Park classifications provide a deeper assessment of the system that goes beyond total acres. Woodstock’s parks can be classified into neighborhood parks, community parks, regional parks, natural areas, and special use parks, described in further detail in Table 3.

Emricson Park is the only regional park in Woodstock. Regional parks are larger in size and have more amenities and programming, and are therefore costly to maintain and operate. Emricson is not centrally located and can be considered as overprogrammed., so many areas of the city are not in close proximity to the unique amenities offered by Woodstock's regional park.

Woodstock has numerous natural areas within the city boundary, making up 55% of the parkland. This is typical compared to park systems nationally: according to the Natural Areas Conservancy, a majority of city parkland is natural, rather than designed (68% in 2019).

While natural areas are a key element of a city’s park system, they typically offer few opportunities for active recreation and must be balanced with other types of park to ensure the community’s needs are met.

The majority of parks in Woodstock are neighborhood parks. These parks are typically small with only a few amenities. Many of Woodstock’s neighborhood parks are currently comprised of open turf with little active recreation uses such as sports courts or walking paths.

While 9 of the city’s 24 parks (38%) are classified as neighborhood parks, it is notable that neighborhood parks make up the smallest portion of the system in terms of acreage (4%) (See Table 2). In contrast, the regional park classification makes up 19% of the system’s acreage, despite there only being one regional park (Emricson Park).

Figure 8: Park Inventory Map

Hennen Conservation Area

LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS

ARE PARKS IN THE RIGHT LOCATIONS?

WALKSHED

A walkshed is a representation of how far a pedestrian can travel to a destination. This walkshed analysis considered barriers that limit safe walking to parks including railroads, rivers, lack of sidewalks, and roads with a speed limit exceeding 45 miles per hour. These barriers can have a major impact on which households are within a safe and accessible distance from a park.

A significant majority of households in Woodstock are within a 10-minute safe walk from parks (83%). Compared to the national average of 55%, this number is considered very high. While this is a positive benchmark, it does not consider access to specific amenities or programs within the parks or the size of that park compared to the immediate surrounding population (acres per capita). For instance, although residents may live next door to a park, that park may lack amenities. Like park acreage, the ten-minute walk analysis must be examined alongside more targeted metrics to determine if residents truly have adequate access to parks.

ACCESS

The majority of Woodstock is serviced by sidewalks and there are numerous paths throughout the parks. However, there are few trail connections between parks. Some parks lack sidewalk connectivity, including Westwood Natural Area, Dufield Pond Conservation Area, Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Park, and Silver Creek Natural Area. The lack of sidewalks in some cases and quality of existing sidewalks in others is also a concern around A.J. Olson Park. Identifying areas that lack access allows the plan to identify potential future easements, trail connections and sidewalk connections.

In terms of regional connectivity, the only existing regional trail connection is Ridgefield Trace, which follows Route 14 south to Crystal

Lake. This indicates an opportunity for added greenways that connect more people to each other, to nature, and to city and regional destinations.

PARK ACCESS GAPS

Several residential areas have limited park access due to the barriers described above. For example, there is a residential area in close proximity to Silver Creek Natural Area and Bates Park that is bordered by McHenry Ave, a fast-moving road with a high traffic volume. Although Hickman Lane connects to Broadway Court, crossing over the large thoroughfare, there are no crosswalks, stop lights, or sidewalks, resulting in an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe pedestrian environment.

Similarly, although many homes are close to Westwood Natural Area, there is no dedicated accessible path that connects homes from inside the cul-de-sacs to the open space. Currently, residents must walk through private yards to access the space and as such the area is not included within the 10-minute walkshed.

Another large residential area that is underserved is in the eastern portion of the city, north of McConnell Road. While McConnell Road Park is intended to serve this neighborhood, the residences lack connections to the park. Currently, there is one park entrance along McConnell Road and two along Greenview Drive. There is also a golf course just north of the park, which limits park access from the residences to the north. As a result, some residents, including those who live along Harrow Gate Drive and Mallard Lane, are required to walk up McConnell Road, which lacks sidewalks, to access the park.

Schools with playgrounds are highlighted on the map to demonstrate that although some residents may not have safe, close, or comfortable access to Woodstock-operated parks, they may be able to access school district playgrounds.

ACCESS ZONES

To determine how well park acreage is distributed across Woodstock in terms of access, the plan utilizes major roads (Route 47, 120, and 14) and the Metra railroad line to create distinct park access zones within Woodstock. Considering these major barriers allows for a better understanding of park acreage per capita and reveals how different areas of the city are served by parks and open spaces. For instance, Zone C has the largest number of parks (8) but has only 58 acres. In contrast, Zone H has only one park with 64 acres. Zones

D and A have similar acreage, but Zone A is three times the size of Zone D. Zone E has 4 acres of parkland while Zone H has 64, despite a difference of only 100 residents. Zone F is the only zone with no parks, but this is adequate given the low population in the zone and the incompatible manufacturing uses in the area.

Analyzing access by zone reveals that some areas of the city do not meet NRPA standards, despite there being adequate park acreage citywide. Zones B and G are short 20 and 10 acres respectively to meet the NRPA average of 10.8 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.

Boundary

Railroad Waterbodies City of Woodstock Parks

Conservation Areas

Other Park Facilitator Parks

Boundaries

Figure 9: Walkshed Map

LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF PARKS AND RECREATION?

QUALITY

Park quality is an essential factor when considering park access and equity. A highlevel analysis conducted by staff and the consultant team provides a point-in-time picture of park quality. Each park in the system was evaluated during a site visit and given a score based on the condition of amenities and any safety concerns.

Silver Creek Natural Area and Westwood Conservation areas are the only parks that were given a 1 (Poor/In Disrepair) in Woodstock. Silver Creek park is challenged by invasive species and currently does not offer public access.

Neighborhood parks, special use parks, and regional parks have an average rating of 4 (Exceptional). Natural areas and community parks have an average rating of 3 (Good).

The majority of the parks rated 2 (Fair) are located in downtown Woodstock. This is generally due to aging amenities and facilities and maintenance needs related to restrooms, trash, and water fountains. The Implementation section provides more detailed guidance for the future of parks that received a lower quality rating.

ATHLETIC FIELDS

In addition to the quality of parks, an important factor to consider is the quality of their amenities. There are several athletic fields used for programming throughout Woodstock.

An analysis was completed to determine the form, function, and quality of these fields (See the Appendix for the full analysis). In general, several key findings were emphasized through this analysis.

1. Entrance and park signage is inconsistent. At Bates Park, signage for connectivity to adjacent areas is lacking. Additionally, signage for internal wayfinding is also missing.

2. There are few permanent restrooms. Permanant restrooms are key to providing opportunities for large tournaments and games. Fields are limited in these, therefore minimizing their opportunities.

3. Amenities are inconsistent. The amenities offered at the numerous city fields differ. For instance, 4 of the 5 diamonds in Emricson have lighting, while none in Bates are illuminated. Similarly, some fields have dugouts and seating while others do not.

4. Accessible routes are limited. Routes accessible to all mobility types (biking, walking, wheelchairs, etc. ) are inconsistent at these fields.

To summarize, while many of the parks can provide opportunities for program offerings and the level of service is met in terms of quantity, there is room for improvements to the quality of these spaces.

Figure 10: Park Quality Map

LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS

ARE FACILITIES MEETING PROGRAM NEEDS?

PROGRAM OFFERINGS

The Recreation Department offers a variety of programming including aquatics, cultural arts, fitness, and senior programs. Most of the programming is targeted towards youth. Programs, activities, and special events typically take place at the Recreation Center and other city facilities, with a portion offered at private facilities.

Woodstock’s facilities are typically wellmaintained. However, the condition of the Woodstock Recreation Center has deteriorated with age which impacts programs. Some of the spaces are no longer appropriate for the City’s recreation needs and the Center lacks essential amenities. In general, there is a lack of programmable indoor space.

Another factor that contributes to the program challenges is that there are limited operational policies and procedures to ensure a uniform and consistent approach to providing programs and facilities. Formal agreements with user groups such as Thunder Football, Girls Softball, and Little League, should be established to standardize quality, consistency, and offerings. The following outline is standard for such formal agreements. While an agreement can be incorporated into the normal license agreement, it may need to be separate.

In general, it is typical for the city (Woodstock) to provide standard facilities and amenities including fields, seating, lighting, restroom, benches, parking, etc. If the user/spectator experience is to be elevated, those improvements should be made by the user group.

PROGRAM DELIVERY

The Department currently uses multiple models to deliver programs to the community. The primary models can be described below. Table 7 identifies the challenges and opportunities of each model.

Staff Run: These programs are offered by the Department and are run by staff, both full-time and part-time, and can take place on a seasonal or annual basis. Examples include learn to swim, playground programs, etc.

Third Party: These programs may or may not appear in the Department’s seasonal program brochure but are run by a thirdparty contractor. These instructors are paid on a contract basis and there is typically a revenue split between the contractor and the Department. Examples include gymnastics, horseback riding, and golf.

Rental: These programs may or may not appear in the Department’s seasonal program brochure and are run by an outside group that is renting facility space from the Department.

The Department has maximum control over the program, its content, and the instructors. They can also maximize revenue generation.

CHALLENGES

The Department is responsible for managing and maintaining the staff.

Third Party

Using contract instructors/programmers allows the Department to pivot as trends shift. It also means that the Department does not have to hire additional part-time staff.

The Department is only renting the space, there is minimal staff time required, and it is transactional in nature.

The biggest challenge is managing the contract as to how the program is run will be a reflection on the Department.

The programs taking place during the rentals can be associated with the Department which can cause challenges if not done properly.

Although nationwide standards and trends help provide a baseline for the park system's offerings, it is important to note that each community is unique, which creates a strong bearing on individual trends and other operational factors. While Woodstock may not need to offer or provide many of the programs listed, in Table 1, recognizing current and future programming needs places additional stress on facilities and staff. Table 8 identifies activities that are emphasized in different ways by the city. Those that are high program areas have strategic focus by the city. However, areas listed under Limited Program Areas should have a prioritized focus for filling gaps such as programming for seniors and cultural arts. When compared with the list above, it is clear that the limited program areas should be prioritized as a focus in the future to align with the nationwide wants and needs. Programming offered by the city is limited, but outside service providers including McHenry County Conservation District and Dorr Township fill gaps in service. Nevertheless, there are several

programming areas that are not covered, including programs for teens.

The programs with the largest emphasis in Woodstock are aquatics, fitness/wellness, special events, and programming for residents with special needs. Programming is limited in the cultural arts, education, and outdoor recreation areas, as well as programming for seniors.

Table 9 summarizes participation in recreation activities over the past 2 years. The number of programs offered, and total participants, have increased by 14 and 118, respectively. Similarly, the number of programs full has also increased, however a portion of the programs are still not full. Coupled with 20% on the waitlist, Table 9 emphasizes the demand for programming that is proving to be a challenge to be met. This is due to lack of facilities to host the program, full time staff to coordinate programs, or a lack of instructors to teach. This analysis describes the importance of completing an evaluation on programs and their strengths and shortfalls.

Table 8: Program Emphasis

Table 9: Program Capacity

MODEL OPPORTUNITIES

Staff Run

Rental

Table 7: Department Model Challenges and Opportunities

LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS

ARE WE MANAGING NATURAL LANDS TO MEET ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS?

The City of Woodstock is situated in a broader ecological system and its parks can play a key role in protecting that system. The City includes many important environmental assets, including mature oak woodland, wetlands, and restored prairies. Its parks protect these landscapes, encourage biodiversity, and provide essential habitat for wildlife.

Tree canopy is an essential component of the City’s green network. Woodstock’s tree canopy is fairly low overall, with only 23% coverage citywide. There are several parks within the city with notably low coverage where planting additional trees should be prioritized, including Davis Road Park, Apple Creek Park, Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Park, Emricson Park, Raintree Park, Merryman Fields Park, Silver Creek Natural Area, Sonatas Park, and Westwood Natural Area.

Alternatively, many areas of clustered oak stands are contained within park boundaries, including Donato Conservation Area, Ryders Wood, and Westwood Natural Area. Preserving oaks and planning for their succession should be a priority in these areas.

A significant portion of Woodstock and the surrounding region is considered prime farmland or farmland of local or state importance. This can be an important consideration for opportunities such as developing community gardens within parks or preserving natural land as open space.

An overlay analysis in GIS was used to define high-value ecological land in and around Woodstock. The data layers include oak woodlands and prime farmland along with existing protected areas, flood zones, and wetlands. Much of this land is contained within existing park boundaries; however, there are expanses of high-value ecological land that is

not protected within the current system. These areas, identified on the map using a blue circle, are opportunities to be preserved as natural open space or activated as a park.

The Comprehensive Plan indicates that residential growth is planned for several areas containing high-value ecological land. It is critical to ensure that ecological priorities are considered in the planning and design of new growth areas.

Figure 11: Ecological Priority Zones

LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS

IS OUR SYSTEM EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE?

The Parks and Recreation Department is committed to the provision of parks and recreation services that meet the needs of all Woodstock residents in an equitable way, particularly providing strategic opportunities for those who stand to benefit most from the positive impacts of parks. To identify which areas of the city should be prioritized for park development from an equity standpoint, a weighted overlay was conducted using demographic, environmental, and health variables (Table 10).

DRAFT EQUITY ZONES - DEMOGRAPHIC

This DRAFT equity map identifies zones in darker blue that may be prioritized from an equity standpoint in the parks planning process.

This map includes demographic layers:

• Poverty rate

• % non-white population

• Population density

• Median income

The outcome of that overlay can be seen in the Composite Equity Map. This map indicates that the central portion of Woodstock requires additional attention and/or investment from an equity perspective. This part of the city contains multiple parks, including Park in the Square, Sesquicentennial Park, Raintree Park, Ryders Woods, and Dick Tracy Way Park. These parks represent various classifications and are generally in good condition. However, the relative inequitably of the surrounding neighborhoods indicate that these parks should be evaluated closely to ensure they are meeting user needs.

This DRAFT equity map identifies zones in darker blue that may be prioritized from an equity standpoint in the parks planning process.

LEGEND

This map includes demographic layers:

Woodstock Boundary

Other Municipal Boundaries

Waterbodies

Parks

Railroad Tracks

EQUITY PRIORITY

Highest Priority

Lowest Priority

ZONES - DEMOGRAPHIC

This DRAFT equity map identifies zones in darker blue that may be prioritized from an equity standpoint in the parks planning process.

SOURCES: McHenry County, Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, NPS, USGS, FEMA

This map includes

SOURCES: McHenry County, Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph,

Figure 12: Composite Equity Map

Figure 13: Demographic Overlay

LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS

Future equity investment may include targeted engagement to ensure that specific parks reflect the surrounding neighborhood’s diversity, that amenities are aligned with residents’ preferences, that recreation opportunities are affordable and accessible, and that all residents feel welcome.

CASE STUDIES:

1. Murphy Park, Phoenix, Arizona: Located in a historically diverse neighborhood, Murphy Park mirrors the multicultural character of the surrounding community. The park features culturally themed events and amenities that cater to a variety of ethnic groups, including play areas and community gardens.

2. La Villita Historic Arts Village, San Antonio, Texas: This park is located in a historic district with a strong Latino influence. As a result, it features cultural and artistic displays. It is also the host location for local Hispanic heritage events.

3. Teardrop Park, New York City, New York: Located in the Battery Park City neighborhood, Teardrop Park is a park designed with input from local residents. It includes unique play areas and art installations that reflect the demographic mix of the area.

4. Ping Tom Park, Chicago, Illinois: This park is located in Chinatown, famously known for its ethnic diversity. The community was encouraged to provide input on the park and ideas for its future. The park reflects the surrounding community through pagodas and Chinese-influenced gardens.

HOW WELL ARE PARKS FUNDED?

There are several budgets that cover recreation facilities and facilities maintenance, including the following:

General Fund: Budget for the recreation department, facilities, fleet, community events and marketing and communications.

• Aquatic Center Fund: Budget for Woodstock Water Works.

• Recreation Center Fund: Budget for the operations and maintenance of the recreation center.

• Parks Fund: Budget for the operations and maintenance of the parks.

Parks Development Fund: Budget for development and improvement of park facilities. Financed through new residential development.

• Special Recreation Fund: Budget for programming for individuals with special needs. Financed through property taxes. The majority of funds are allocated to the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association.

Approximately 55% of revenue for Parks and Recreation comes from taxes, while 43% comes from fees and charges. This is higher than the national average of operating expenditures that

comes from non-tax revenue ( 24.6%). This is beneficial in reducing reliance on public funds and providing flexibility in allocating funds. 56% of Parks and Recreation expenditures are for staff salaries, which is on par with the national average of 55%. However, there is a relatively low level for the current operations of parks and other facilities. In general, operations and maintenance funding is inadequate and do not cover the costs of expenses (Table 11). Operational budgets need to better reflect the true costs of providing services and maintaining facilities.

Considering the amount of activity and number of events that take place at Park in the Square and Emricson Park, expenditures related to these parks should be tracked separately. This is considered best practice for Parks and Recreation agencies. Additionally, the Department should consider adopting a Comprehensive Maintenance Plan to standardize how facilities are maintained and to determine what additional funding is needed to achieve adequate levels of maintenance.

Table 11: Parks and Recreation Funding

Ping Tom Park, Chicago IL Source: Wikimedia Commons

WCOMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

COMMUNITY INPUT

WHAT DID WE HEAR?

One of the primary goals of this planning process was to ensure that recommendations were driven by community input. The planning team asked residents to envision their future parks and recreation system and to describe how it may fall short in meeting the community's needs. This plan and its recommendations reflect what the planning team heard — that Woodstock residents envision a “high-quality, unique park system that serves the community equitably, promotes health and wellness, and connects people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.”

The Woodstock community clearly recognizes the importance and value of parkland, park facilities, recreational facilities, and open space as a critical and essential part of the overall quality of life. Input from community members, staff, and stakeholders has made clear that this plan must focus on the care and maintenance of existing assets first and foremost, in addition to improving safe connections between recreation assets.

This Plan is both pragmatic and visionary. It seeks to build on and complete previous planning efforts, close gaps in the park system, anticipate future growth, ensure all residents have a high-quality park or green space close to home, and lay the groundwork towards achieving an exemplary park system that Woodstock community is proud to call their own. The recommendations of this plan reflect community priorities, both short- and aspirational.

Several tactics were used to gather input from community members, technical stakeholders, advisory committee members, and staff to inform the plan. Community members were encouraged to participate in these engagement strategies through several advertisements including yard signs posted around town, flyers, and social media postings.

FOCUS GROUPS

Three 60-minute focus group meetings were hosted at the onset of 2024. Over 30 individuals representing different organizations, interests, clubs, and groups in Woodstock were invited to attend. The meetings provided an overview of the current conditions and analysis findings and engaged in live polling and discussion about user challenges and opportunities. Focus group discussions reflected a variety of perspectives and user experiences. Maintenance, diversity of amenities and opportunities, and the need for restrooms across the park system came up in nearly every discussion. Input from these conversations laid the foundation for creating a shared community vision and for formulating community survey questions.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Two youth-specific sessions were hosted on April 25th, 2024 at Woodstock High School. The students were informed about the project and what the plan would entail and asked to share their thoughts for the future as well as existing challenges through map exercises focused on future amenities, access and connectivity throughout the park system. Of note was the detailed input from the Project Lead the Way class regarding specific recommendations for improved walkability to and between park assets.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP

One 90-minute workshop was held on April 25th, 2024, at the Community Opera House. Through a series of small group exercises and facilitated discussion, 25 attendees provided feedback on the proposed plan themes and goals. A group mapping exercise encouraged participants to communicate desired future park amenities across the park system, which was organized into four quadrants of

Woodstock. Participants were provided with a set of maps displaying Woodstock’s current park system and a sheet of stickers containing different park amenities or improvements. They were instructed to place stickers on the maps at the locations they wished to see future park investments or enhancements.

COMMUNITY SURVEY

A community-wide survey process helped establish a collective vision and understanding of park spaces according to system users. All community members, regardless of their connection to Woodstock, were encouraged to participate in the survey. The survey was open for a total of ten weeks throughout the visioning phase of the plan creation. In that time, the survey captured input from 960 respondents.

Community members providing input at the Plan Workshop

ENGAGEMENT TAKEAWAYS

Figure 16: Engagement Takeaways of survey respondents live in the City of Woodstock

87%

46% of respondents have lived in Woodstock more than 20 years

35-44 is the age range of most respondents (25%)

35% of respondents live in central Woodstock

When you imagine what Woodstock’s park system could look like in 25 years, what are the most important community benefits you hope become part of the vision and roadmap provided by this Master Plan?

Parks that promote social connections (6%)

Parks that improve residents’ health and wellness ( 15%)

Parks that protect environmental health and natural resources (e.g. stormwater, air quality and habitat) ( 17%)

Destination’ parks and outdoor areas that promote economic development (5%)

Neighborhood parks that meet the daily and year-round needs of nearby residents (15%)

Sports and recreation opportunities that are strategically located to meet local and regional demand (12%)

More park and recreation programs (e.g. fitness classes, etc.) (6%)

High-quality and connected system of greenways and other bike/pedestrian amenities (paved trails) for getting around (20%)

Other (4%)

1. Which of the following Woodstock parks did you visit in the past year?

2. Based on your experience in Woodstock’s parks, are there any parks that you feel are in poor condition?

For each of the types of facilities or places, please indicate whether you have too much, too little, or the right amount. (Top 3 from each category)

Not Enough Right Amount

What, if anything, prevents you or others in your household from utilizing Woodstock’s recreation facilities, programs, parks or natural lands more often?

Suppose that an extra $1 million was made available, and you were able to determine how it was spent. How would you distribute that budget among the possible choices listed below?

Development of new

Increase maintenance and quality of

1. Splashpad/spray water 2. Plumbed restrooms

W

PRINCIPLE EQUITY

Equity was reviewed through multiple lenses during the planning process, including an examination of park and amenity distribution, demographic representation, and accessibility. The intersections between population density, income, and experiences of environmental injustice in Woodstock are significant for park planning purposes. This theme represents promoting inclusion in park spaces, facilities, and programs. Through implementation of this theme, all persons in Woodstock will have equitable and appropriate access to the park and recreation system.

WHAT WE HEARD

“Expand the number and/ or size of the parks and trails system to provide more recreational opportunities” was selected as one of the top priorities for the future.

A majority of respondents selected “Parks that improve residents’ health and wellness” as an ideal community benefit of this plan.

The Intergenerational Inclusive Playground provides opportunities for users of all abilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

PROMOTE INCLUSION IN

PARK SPACES, FACILITIES, AND PROGRAMS THROUGH EQUITABLE AND EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN PARK PLANNING PROCESSES TO BALANCE VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES AND PREFERENCES.

An inclusive system begins with creating ownership during the planning process. An inclusive parks system considers the physical, cultural, social, and economic needs of various groups. It works to reflect specific, unique needs in park facilities, amenities, and programming opportunities. Community engagement and relationship building will be central to Woodstock's pursuit of an equitable and inclusive parks system.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Require that all new park development and existing park improvement projects are driven by a robust and community-based engagement and design process.

2. Continue to build relationships with trusted community partners to reach under-represented groups and young people.

3. Develop a partnership with the local Homeowners Associations to ensure that parks and recreation needs of neighborhood associations are being met.

4. When creating a park plan, continue engaging community members to understand the features and amenities that will best serve neighborhoods.

5. When replacing elements in poor condition or at the end of their life cycle, replace with options that meet Universal Design and Accessibility Guidelines.

6. Collaborate with City leadership and social service providers to promote and support education and roles regarding unhoused populations in park spaces.

7. Incorporate diverse cultural and historical education opportunities in both new and existing programming, where appropriate.

8. Create and/or maintain partnerships with organizations focused on accessibility and inclusivity.

HONOR THE CULTURE, STORYTELLING, ART, AND HISTORY OF WOODSTOCK’S DIVERSE POPULATION, PAST AND PRESENT.

Park design and programming should reflect and celebrate the identity and histories of the entire Woodstock population, particularly those of traditionally marginalized communities. Highlighting and recognizing histories and diverse cultures within park design and cultural activities can increase diversity of users, foster civic identity, and attract new audiences to the parks.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Honor culturally and historically diverse stories and language through partnerships, programming, ceremonies, land management, signage and interpretation, art, and proactive community engagement.

2. Partner with Woodstock’s arts initiative and Arts Commission to implement aspects of the Woodstock Public Art’s Plan including the exploration of financially sustainable options for the creation and enjoyment of public art in park spaces that honors the diverse heritages and histories of the community including Hispanic culture. Consider the creation of a percent dedication to arts in all park design/capital project budgets.

3. Ensure that diversity is reflected in all public-facing advertisements and communication of parks and park programming through all images that include people and text choice. Avoid language that could be interpreted as biased, exclusionary, or insensitive.

RECOMMENDATIONS

PROVIDE ADDITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS WITHIN EQUITY PRIORITY ZONES.

Page 33 identifies Equity Priority Zones within city boundaries., those with high portions of demographic, environmental, and health factors. This goal focuses on expanding access to parks and recreation by establishing additional neighborhood parks within the Equity Priority Zones. Through the strategic development of parks in these underserved communities, all Woodstock residents will have equitable access to quality green spaces and recreational opportunities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Prioritize providing amenities and additional neighborhood parks within underserved areas, or areas farthest from Emricson Park, and in areas targeted for future residential growth.

2. Provide intergenerational park programming to promote health and mental wellbeing by providing people of all ages and abilities opportunities for physical activity, time in nature, social connection, and respite.

PROVIDE EQUITABLE, HIGH-QUALITY OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING THAT ENCOURAGES MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH NATURE IN PARK SPACES AND ENSURES IT MEETS THE NEEDS OF ALL WOODSTOCK RESIDENTS.

Conversations with focus groups and survey responses indicated that Woodstock is lacking outdoor education opportunities. More efforts are needed to educate system users on proper stewardship and the importance of natural lands. Educational efforts might include wildlife observation, learning about local ecosystems, and teaching users seasonal best practice for care and upkeep. By encouraging residents to learn about the parks and open space system and participate in initiatives that steward, enhance, and maintain open space, Woodstock’s parks system will improve and promote more value for the system.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Address current programming gaps through programming targeted towards seniors and teens as well as general interest programming.

2. Support a dynamic programming evaluation process for all program offerings and options for adjusting programs and/or resources, as needed, based on evaluation outcomes.

3. Apply consistent program metrics and benchmarks, such as a minimum number of registrants, to ensure enrollment, attendance, budget, and cost recovery are meeting established goals.

4. Monitor program trends against regional and national offerings to ensure that programs are current and reflect evolving recreational interests.

5. Survey residents annually to ensure that park programming meets the needs of the population.

6. Expand the current cost recovery system to determine if it adequately covers the cost for recreational programming.

7. Develop a comprehensive athletic field use policy.

8. Execute an audit in all parks to ensure that they meet ADA requirements.

WPLACEMAKING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PLACEMAKING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investing in a city's park and recreation system is a strategic initiative that speaks to contributing to Woodstock’s future. This theme encompasses the enhancement and expansion of green spaces, recreational facilities, and community programs through the prioritized allocation of resources and capital to create and maintain a vibrant park system that contributes to the overall wellbeing of the community.

A majority of respondents selected “Events and programming that respond to communityspecific needs” as one of the top park investment priorities for the future.

A large majority of respondents selected that there are not enough community centers in Woodstock.

Woodstock is regionally known for its events and celebrations, bringing many visitors to the city.

RECOMMENDATIONS

CREATE “DESTINATION PARKS” AND ENSURE THAT EACH HAS ICONIC CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTINCTIVE QUALITIES.

Community feedback strongly emphasized the desire for park improvements that are focused on creating destinations. This includes the implementation of unique attractions that push the boundaries of typical park elements such as playgrounds and benches. A variety of play types, both exciting and adventurous, will make parks a special destination worth traveling to for children and families. Destination amenities encourage taking advantage of the spaces already available in Woodstock and incorporating transformative elements that invite activity.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Offer diverse user experiences throughout the parks and open space system.

2. Position the park system to host regional recreation events and tournaments to bolster tourism. If the City wishes to maintain or increase their foothold in the tournament market, moving some fields to synthetic turf would be appropriate including at least 2 of Merryman and 2 at Bates. Consider developing a field house at these parks.

ACTIVATE PARK SPACES TO SUPPORT LOCAL, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL INTERACTIONS.

As the responsible party for activating park spaces, it is important that Parks and Recreation have sound policies, procedures, and communication channels that allow events and programming to bring people together with relative ease. Park activation can occur through city- or partner-led programming that is well-planned and marketed, supervised, and helps people feel comfortable in park spaces. Park activation should be tailored to neighborhood demographics and cultures and should range in offerings for different opportunities for all.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Collaborate with local organizations to expand and strengthen opportunities for third-party entities to provide small-scale, pop-up park amenities that invite social interactions. Host popular activities in under-utilized park spaces that are well-maintained to better activate and increase awareness of those park spaces.

2. Review and revise plans, policies, and ordinances to better facilitate commercial operations and activate community spaces, including operations for food trucks, market vendors, e-mobility, beer gardens, and entertainment providers.

3. Identify opportunities for amenities that can be used by all ages to enhance areas for colocation across ages.

4. Incorporate Universal Design guidelines in all new and updated parks and open spaces.

5. Increase benches/picnic tables/seating in parks system-wide.

6. Incorporate “court games” to enhance community gathering/interaction such as horseshoes, bocce courts, outdoor ping pong tables, and chess tables for example.

7. Encourage parks to be important sites for civic gathering and activity. Establish a communitybased process using arts and cultural expression to create or rejuvenate parks and open spaces.

8. Explore adding pocket parks in the equity priority zones that focus on authentic placemaking and convert unwanted, remnant spaces into highly cherished and beloved areas that all can enjoy.

9. Consider the consolidation of events under one department. Establish a policy around how events occur and are executed based on the intent and impact of the event.

10. Track expenses related to non-City hosted events and consider passing along the costs to the organization hosting the event.

WNATURAL RESOURCES

NATURAL RESOURCES

Woodstock City has an extensive park system with over 600 acres of park land at 24 different locations. Of these, 6 parks are natural lands, equating to 355 acres of natural area. There is often a misconception that these spaces require little to no work for upkeep. However, nature near urban areas requires strategic planning to not only be protected or maintained, but to thrive. Thriving natural areas offer environmental benefits, such as supporting diverse wildlife, providing resilience to natural disasters, and improved air and water quality. This theme encourages the coexistence between nature and community through preservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of parks, fostering biodiversity, and supporting environmental consciousness among residents. In connection with the Comprehensive Plan, this plan intends to ensure the preservation and protection of cherished natural resources and amenities.

WHAT WE HEARD

In general, community members would like to see more opportunities to engage with nature such as an increase in nature trails and preserves.

Enjoying nature or wildlife was the top “extremely important” reason selected why survey respondents utilize Woodstock’s parks and recreation.

A majority of survey respondents believe that there are not enough environmental education opportunities available in Woodstock.

Community members would like to prioritize “Expanding the number and/or size of parks and open spaces to protect habitat and benefit the environment” in the future.

A majority of survey respondents would like a beneficial result of this plan to be “Parks that protect environmental health and natural resources (e.g. stormwater, air quality and habitat)”.

Woods Walk

RECOMMENDATIONS

ENSURE THAT ECOLOGICAL PRIORITIES ARE CONSIDERED IN THE PLANNING AND DESIGN OF NEW GROWTH.

This goal aims to integrate ecological considerations into the planning and design processes for new developments and expansions within Woodstock. By prioritizing environmental sustainability, the City will continue to protect and enhance local ecosystems, preserve natural habitats, and promote biodiversity. This goal emphasizes the commitment to a balanced approach to harmonizing the inevitable future growth with environmental stewardship, fostering spaces that are both livable and ecologically responsible.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. There are numerous ecologically sensitive areas that are currently outside of a park or conservation area that should be considered in future planning. There are opportunities for these areas to be preserved as a natural open space or transformed into a park as development occurs. Coordinate with US Fish and Wildlife Service, IDNR, TNC and MCCD to connect these areas to the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge along Woodstock’s northern planning boundary. In conjunction with the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, establish management and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) updates to reflect these priorities.

2. Develop a land acquisition policy and identify green infrastructure priorities within the City’s planning jurisdiction.

3. Encourage and support landowners to establish voluntary preservation easements.

4. Identify areas in parks, green spaces, or along waterways that can be restored to native habitats such as prairies, wetlands, or woodlands.

5. Expand the existing partnership with McHenry County Conservation District and Land Conservancy.

6. Encourage development to support and enhance Woodstock’s biodiversity through the following actions:

• Require the use of native landscape.

• Encourage the installation of pollinator gardens in schools and public spaces.

• Encourage the installation of edible landscapes in schools and public spaces.

INCREASE TREE CANOPY THROUGHOUT PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS CITY-WIDE AND PLAN FOR TREE SUCCESSION.

Trees have many benefits for a community including improved air quality, reduced urban heat island, and enhanced aesthetic. By prioritizing the planting of diverse tree species and implementing a succession plan, the plan aims to not only plant future trees, but also proactively maintain the existing canopy for the health and longevity of the City's trees.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Continue to work towards increasing the City's tree canopy to 86% as recommended by The Chicago Region Trees Initiative. Several parks may benefit from increased tree canopy coverage including Davis Road Park, Apple Creek Park, Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Park, Emricson Park, Raintree Park, Merryman Fields Park, Silver Creek Natural Area, Sonatas Park, and Westwood Natural Area. Merryman Fields Park, in particular, has the lowest tree coverage of any city park, though this can be attributed to its primary use for baseball fields. Tree planting should ensure diversity of species. Additional tree plantings and tree succession should be applied to Park in the Square.

2. Outline a position for staff dedicated to year-round tree maintenance in collaboration with arborists and The Land Conservancy.

3. As future development occurs, continue to preserve clustered oak stands contained within park boundaries, including Donato Conservation Area, Ryders Wood, and Westwood Natural Area.

4. Establish a Tree Planting Program.

5. Evaluate current forestry budget and workforce to determine necessary resources to accomplish tree canopy goals.

6. Incorporate interpretive signage to support environmental education to support educational programming. Incorporate infrastructure to improve the experience and exposure to natural areas such as bird blinds.

7. Pursue the designation of Tree City USA through the following steps:

• Establish a Tree Board or Department

• Develop an ordinance reflecting tree preservation and maintenance

• Maintain a Community Forestry Program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita

• Celebrate Arbor Day

RECOMMENDATIONS

RETROFIT EXISTING PARKS TO ACCOMMODATE RAINWATER WHERE PROGRAMMING ALLOWS.

Several of Woodstock’s parks are susceptible to flooding. This goal aims to mitigate flood hazards by integrating rainwater management solutions into their design and layout. In turn, these recommendations aim to enhance the resilience and functionality of the overall park system. Such adaptations not only contribute to sustainable water management and alleviative hazards, but also create more diverse and engaging natural spaces.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Target priority parks to accommodate rainwater including those at regional low. Target rainwater management in parks identified as having a history of flooding.

2. Identify opportunities for low maintenance design, such as low-mow areas and native plantings, to decrease the necessary upkeep.

CARE FOR AND ACTIVATE THE WATERWAYS THAT RUN THROUGH THE CITY.

Kishwaukee River is an important asset to Woodstock. It runs through the heart of the city and provides opportunities for connections to nature and recreation, when leveraged to its full extent. Through stewardship and revitalization of the city's waterways, their ecological health can be enhanced and their recreational and aesthetic potential can be maximized. This goal seeks to transform the city's waterways into vibrant, accessible, and sustainable features of the landscape, fostering a stronger connection between residents and their natural environment.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Implement measures to protect and improve water quality in the Kishwaukee River, such as riparian buffer zones and stormwater management practices.

2. Annually monitor the city’s rivers and creeks to ensure that water quality is not being negatively impacted.

3. Offer programming for the City’s waterways such as the creation of boardwalks and increase access to water resources for recreation.

4. Develop additional fishing access points and water access.

5. Restore degraded aquatic habitats by removing barriers to fish migration, stabilizing stream banks, and planting native aquatic vegetation.

W

ACCESS

Access in a city's park and recreation system focuses one ensuring that all residents are not only able to safely and comfortably access parks, but that they also have the ability to utilize and benefit from amenities and recreation opportunities. Elements that play a role in access may include fences, pedestrian and sidewalk connectivity, ADA development, park hours, and signage. This theme emphasizes the removal of barriers and promotes an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their backgrounds or physical and financial circumstances, can enjoy the benefits of parks, open spaces, and recreational activities.

WHAT WE HEARD

A majority of survey respondents selected that a barrier to park use is a lack of “Information – Not sure where to find good information about parks and activities.”

A general concern amongst survey respondents was the lack of amenities and recreation offerings for both youth and adults with mental and physical disabilities, such as fully functional park bathrooms.

A majority of survey respondents would like “Highquality and connected system of greenways and other bike/ pedestrian amenities (paved trails) for getting around” to be a beneficial result of this plan.

Respondents expressed their desire for recreation offerings to be offered at additional times and for parks to stay open during additional hours.

Access is also analyzed through connections to the city's waterways.

RECOMMENDATIONS

ADDRESS BARRIERS TO CURRENT AND FUTURE PARK AND RECREATION ACCESS SUCH AS MAJOR HIGHWAYS, RAILROADS, AND AREAS LACKING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MEASURES.

Woodstock has several major barriers to walkability. This includes the Metra rail line, Kishwaukee River, and state highways (Routes 47, 120, and 14). By addressing these barriers, we seek to promote equitable access, encourage active transportation, and ensure that all community members can fully enjoy the benefits of our parks and recreational facilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Collaborate with IDOT to install missing pedestrian safety measures at signalized intersections including pedestrian signals with countdown timers, high visibility crosswalks, and ADA compliant curb ramps as part of the IL Route 47 widening improvements.

2. The intersections below were highlighted in the Comprehensive Plan as intersections in need of these pedestrian enhancements. The City should address these and any other intersections identified as high priority through its annual Capital Improvement Program or through coordination with IDOT.

• US Highway 14 with Dean Street

• US Highway 14 with Kishwaukee Valley Road

• US Highway 14 with Lake Avenue

3. The need for additional pedestrian facility enhancements were identified in the Comprehensive Plan at the following intersections within the downtown area. Along with any other intersections identified as high priority, the city should evaluate:

• IL Route 120 and North Throop Street

• West South Street and South Throop Street

• West South Street and Dean Street

• Clay/North Benton Street and East Church Street

• North Jefferson Street and East Church Street

4. Require that all newly developed parks and ammenities are ADA accessible to promote an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their backgrounds or physical and financial circumstances, can enjoy.

RECOMMENDATIONS

IDENTIFY FUTURE TRAIL, GREENWAY AND SIDEWALK CONNECTIONS THAT CONNECT MORE PEOPLE TO EACH OTHER, TO NATURE, AND TO CITYWIDE DESTINATIONS.

This goal aims to expand Woodstock's already-high level of connectivity. As the City continues to grow, it is critical to continue to improve the city's network of trails, greenways, and sidewalks to foster greater connectivity and accessibility across Woodstock's built and natural environments. Future connections between neighborhoods, parks, and key destinations create a cohesive system that encourages active transportation and strengthens community ties. New routes must work to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, enhance access to natural areas, and provide convenient pathways to essential services and recreational facilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Conduct a comprehensive inventory of all existing connectivity infrastructure to identify areas that are in need of repair. Perform regular assessments to continue evaluating the condition, performance, and capacity of each asset.

2. Continue to work with Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 to develop a Safe Walking Route plan.

3. Per the 2010 Woodstock Environmental Plan, create a city-wide greenways plan. See South Woodstock recommendations.

4. Align the preservation of sensitive ecological lands with the need for new trail alignments and regional ecological connections.

5. Create an acquisition plan to prioritize parcels that link and create contiguous green network with goals around wildlife habitat provision, conserving and enhancing vegetation quality and water quality management.

6. New or improved sidewalks are needed to improve park access at the following locations: Greenwood Ave, between Wheeler St and Clay St

• Tappan St, between Greenwood Ave and Bagley St

• Bagley St, between Tappan St and Clay St

Raffel Rd, between Banford Rd and IL Route 120

• Country Club Rd, between Route 47 and Queen Anne Rd

• McConnell Rd, between Route 47 and Red Barn Rd

US Highway 14, between Dean St and Lake Ave

• Dean St, between US Highway 14 and Hercules Rd

• South St, between Dakota Dr and US Highway 14

Kimball Ave, between Blakely St and Dean St

• Conway St, between Hill St and Becking Ave

RECOMMENDATIONS

CONNECT WOODSTOCK’S MOBILITY NETWORK TO REGIONAL TRAILS AND NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.

Establishing strong connections between local pathways and broader regional networks is a key component of enhancing the city’s accessibility and connectivity, enabling residents to easily travel to and from surrounding areas and enjoy a larger network of recreational and transportation options. These connections will not only improve mobility and convenience for residents, but will also foster greater regional cohesion, support local businesses, and promote shared outdoor recreation across adjacent areas. This goal aims to integrate infrastructure seamlessly for a connected network that strengthens Woodstock’s ties with its neighboring communities and the broader regional landscape.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Connect Ridgefield Trace, which follows Route 14 south to Crystal Lake, to Woodstock’s park system and larger region.

2. The city, with the participation of other local governments and open space organizations such as McHenry County, MCCD, and TLC, should work together to link local open spaces to existing and planned green infrastructure networks.

3. Where green infrastructure and natural features extend across municipal boundaries, the City of Woodstock should work cooperatively with other jurisdictions on resource protection and greenway connectivity.

4. Add off-road bike trails within Woodstock and improve connections to off-road bike trails, mountain bike parks and pump tracks throughout the region.

RECOMMENDATIONS

SUPPORT VISITOR NAVIGATION AND ENGAGEMENT THROUGH A COHESIVE AND USER-FRIENDLY SYSTEM OF TRAILHEADS, SIGNAGE, WAYFINDING, SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER COMMUNICATION TOOLS, AND INTERPRETIVE ELEMENTS.

Directional elements are important aspects of park branding and placemaking. Signage helps define and orient users to a space. Wayfinding combines signage and map design, trail markers, symbols, color, and typography to help users or visitors easily navigate through a space. With such an extensive park and trail system, users can easily become disoriented without proper directional signage. Throughout engagement, the lack of knowledge regarding park access, or parks as a whole, was made clear. Through implementation of signage, users can easily identify usable accessible parks and recreation spaces.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Develop a universal park sign displayed throughout the system that allows residents and visitors to easily identify Woodstock’s public parks and open spaces.

2. User groups have placed advertising signs on field fences on a limited basis. A uniform policy for advertising on field fences should be implemented. Components could include sign materials and size, content of advertisement, removal and cost sharing.

3. Provide park identification signage at all parks and maintain consistent branding.

4. Provide internal wayfinding signage at larger parks (i.e. Emricson Park).

5. When planning trailheads and interpretive elements, follow themes of context sensitive design, which calls for designs that are tailored to preserve, enhance, or respond to the local community and environment.

6. Incorporate Playground Communication Boards at playgrounds.

7. Incorporate engaging and educational interpretive signage in natural areas to encourage land stewardship.

8. Enhance existing reporting tools for documenting community needs, safety, system concerns, issues, and ideas.

W

INVESTMENT

Investing in a city's park and recreation system is a strategic initiative that contributes to its future. This theme encompasses the enhancement and expansion of green spaces, recreational facilities, and community programs through the prioritized allocation of resources and capital to create and maintain a vibrant park system that contributes to the overall wellbeing of the community.

WHAT WE HEARD

Community engagement respondents feel that the parks system does not leave a lasting impact on visitors.

“Support for basic maintenance and repairs equally across all parks” was selected as a top priority for the future by survey respondents.

Survey respondents would like to see investment in greening the city through the addition of more plants and tree in urban areas and out in nature.

A majority of residents stated that a barrier to park use is the “Condition – Amenities I want are available, but they’re in poor condition (e.g. littered, dilapidated, dirty).”

Survey respondents desire more funding to go into the maintenance and upkeep of parks.

There was a strong desire for “increasing maintenance and quality of existing recreational opportunities” when asked to prioritize funding dollars.

Woodstock Farmers Market Source: Creative Commons License

RECOMMENDATIONS

INCREASE PARK SYSTEM FUNDING TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A HIGH-QUALITY, FOUR-SEASON PARK SYSTEM.

The struggle to meet or exceed national standards with finite resources is a challenge facing all Parks and Recreation Departments. Nonetheless, it is important to aim to meet this goal through continually assessing the system to identify and address weaknesses. Aligning funding priorities with industry standards will enable Woodstock to provide a well-maintained and accessible park system that meets the evolving needs of the community, enhances user experience, and supports the long-term vitality of recreational spaces. Through this goal, the City can commit to investing in the future of Woodstock's parks and recreation to ensure they meet the needs of the community.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Allocate funding and staffing to meet the maintenance demands of existing athletic fields of one full-time maintenance staff dedicated to every four fields or 9 total. Increase staff per acre of active recreation space for at least 18 full-time employees.

2. Publish a yearly annual ‘State of the Parks' report in alignment with the template for all city departments. This report should compile existing financial and performance reporting, to build public trust and transparency in how allocated dollars are spent. Explore the creation of a system to benchmark against other quality parks and recreation providers.

3. Expand revenue generating activities in park spaces by creating a coordinated marketing strategy utilizing staff resources to promote activities, events, and activity rentals.

4. Annually evaluate new opportunities for revenue generation at sites where user, parking or event fees might be appropriate.

5. With the Development Services and Economic Development Departments, convene school board, public utility service providers and public and private institutions for a coordinated review of vacant or surplus landholdings to determine highest and best use, including identification of lands for parks, open space, and resilience. Repeat this exercise every three to five years to identify opportunities for efficient use of existing parkland, creating new parkland, open space preservation and the allocation of public amenities such as parks, housing, and schools.

RECOMMENDATIONS

PROMOTE AND SUPPORT VOLUNTEERISM AND PARTNERSHIPS TO SUSTAINABLY ENHANCE, GROW AND MAINTAIN THE PARK SYSTEM.

Supporting a culture of volunteerism and partnerships in the park system helps with upkeep, shared responsibility, civic pride and belonging, championing, and stewardship of the city’s expansive parks and recreation system. With focused dedication to engaging volunteers and partners, Woodstock can increase efforts to move towards shared goals.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Define and expand viable volunteer opportunities that support the stewardship, and/or care of park spaces for both one-time volunteer groups (e.g., litter clean-ups) and on-going volunteers (e.g., adopt programs). As a component of this effort, the number of volunteers and hours spent should be tracked in the annual report and demonstrate the "savings" to the City.

2. Nurture relationships with local user groups, such as trail groups, advocacy groups, environmental partners, and volunteers supporting project development, implementation, programming, and maintenance efforts. Examples may include the U of I 4h/Master Naturalists. Consider the creation of formal partnership agreements to spell out responsibilities.

3. Support a culture of volunteerism, and help keep parks, trails, and open spaces in a state of good repair throughout all seasons, by providing educational opportunities for trail users on how to become trail stewards (i.e., proper trail etiquette, adapting to seasonal changes, leave no trace etc.).

4. Within the UDO update following the approval of the Comprehensive Plan, consider the potential to require private development to support parks and open space development within the zoning code.

5. Evaluate internal and external program offerings to identify community recreation programming gaps, potential new program offerings, and areas for expanded and more formalized partnerships between Recreation and other community recreation service providers.

6. Foster connections among community recreation providers by offering open communication to receive and respond to feedback and inform the community of recreation opportunities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

PROVIDE A PARK SYSTEM THAT IS INVITING AND WELL-MAINTAINED, BY MEETING THE COMMUNITY'S CURRENT EXPECTATIONS AND EXCEEDING THEIR FUTURE NEEDS.

Through implementing the following recommendations, Woodstock will strive towards developing a park system that stands out for its quality, appeal, and upkeep. By investing in maintenance, increasing park acreage in areas where it is needed most, adhering to best practices in park management, and implementing high-quality offerings and design standards,, the City will create and maintain parks that are not only welcoming and aesthetically pleasing but are also functional and safe for all users.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Provide permanent restrooms at athletic complexes with 4 or more fields. This includes Davis Road Park, Emricson Park, Bates Park and Merryman Fields.

2. Utilize standard maintenance guidelines for all park classification types to establish a service standard for new park and park improvement projects.

3. Develop a standard for type and quantity of amenities and furnishings at fields, including bleachers, dugouts, trash cans, benches and batting cages to ease replacement logistics.

4. Maintain the existing Recreation Center facility but assess how the spaces are utilized such as when, where, and in what manner.

5. Maintain the existing Woodstock Water Works as a regional aquatic center asset that continues to serve the city and adjacent communities.

6. Complete an annual review of amenities by park to ensure that all necessary updates or additions are reflected in the Capital Improvements Plan and annual maintenance schedule.

7. As growth occurs per the comprehensive plan, ensure new parks are established to adequately serve the recreation needs of residents.

8. Retrofit additional amenities within existing parks to meet level of service standards as detailed in this plan.

Investment includes maintaining opportunities already within the park system.

SYSTEM-WIDE RECOMMENDATIONS

NEW PARKS

The new parks proposed in this map consider Woodstock’s existing boundaries as well as future growth areas to promote the 10-minute walk goal for all residents as the City expands.

In addition to future growth areas, new park locations take into account high-priority ecological land. Several of the new parks indicated on the map are within or directly adjacent to priority ecological land. This allows the City to manage and preserve important natural areas, promotes habitat connectivity, and offers residents opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education. The proximity of new parks to the planned Kishwaukee River Greenway, Ridgefield Trace, and other protected lands promotes regional connectivity.

Current Woodstock Boundary and Future Development

Metra Railroad

Waterbodies

Existing Parks

Existing Trails

Ecological Priority Land

Future Parks

Option for New Regional Park

New Neighborhood Park

Ridgewood Trace

New Neighborhood Park New Neighborhood Park CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITY

Figure 17: New Parks Map

SYSTEM-WIDE RECOMMENDATIONS

NEW GREENWAYS

New greenways promote regional connectivity from both a human and ecological standpoint. Greenways include infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists and can incorporate off-road bike trails where appropriate to accommodate mountain bikers and other user groups.

The draft locations shown are suggested paths for further study, and do not represent actual proposed trail alignments. The Kishwaukee River Greenway identified on this map is explored in further detail on the following page.

Current Woodstock Boundary and Future Development

Metra Railroad Waterbodies

Existing Parks

Existing Trails

Ecological Priority Land

Future Parks

Greenway Options

0 0.3 mi 0.6 mi 1.2 mi

Figure 18: New Greenways Map

Proposed Kishwaukee River Greenway

Potential New Greenway

SYSTEM-WIDE RECOMMENDATIONS

PROPOSED KISHWAUKEE RIVER GREENWAY

The proposed Kishwaukee River Greenway follows highvalue ecological land along the Kishwaukee River and connects the Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Area to the Ridgefield Trace Trail, connecting Davis Road Park, Castle Road Park, and a proposed new park along the way. One of the most significant projects in the McHenry County Connection Plan is the proposed path along Route 47, to which the proposed Kishwaukee River Greenway offers a connection.

Current Woodstock Boundary

Future Development (Identified in Comprehensive Plan)

Metra Railroad

Waterbodies

Existing Parks

Existing Trails

Ecological Priority Land

Future Greenway

Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Area

Davis Road Park

Ryders Woods

Dick Tracy Way Park

Castle Road Park

Donato Conservation Area

McConnell Road Park

Apple Creek Park

Figure 19: Proposed Greenway Map

Westwood Elementary School

Woodstock High School

Dean Street Elementary

Creekside Middle School

SYSTEM-WIDE RECOMMENDATIONS

PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS

This map shows proposed pedestrian improvements - new sidewalks and crosswalks. Students enrolled at Woodstock High School contributed to this map through their capstone project. Survey responses (see Appendix), the Comprehensive Plan, and the McHenry County Connection Plan were also used to develop this map. The final recommendations were validated. Those shown here are critical in connecting parks to surrounding residential neighborhoods and key amenities.

Current Woodstock Boundary

Metra Railroad Waterbodies

Existing Parks

Existing Trails

Schools

Libraries

Priority Sidewalks Identified by Woodstock High School Students

Priority Sidewalks Identified by Community

Priority Crosswalks Identified by Woodstock High School Students

Priority Crosswalks Identified by Community

Priority Crosswalks Identified in Comprehensive Plan

ADD SIDEWALKS AROUND AJ OLSON PARK IMPROVE

WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

IMPROVE

Figure 20: Proposed Pedestrian Improvements

ACTION PLAN

The Woodstock Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a visionary, community-driven guidebook for the future that addresses the complex challenges facing parks, open spaces, and recreation, ranging from required maintenance to equitable amenities. Initial action steps have been woven into each of the chapters (Equity, Access, Placemaking and Economic Developoment, Natural Resources, and Investment).

This chapter serves to transform visionary goals into tangible outcomes. This breaks down action items into system-wide efforts as well as breaks them down by city quadrant for more detailed recommendations. Achieving these goals will require a concentrated effort by Parks and Recreation Staff, and collaborative support and contribution from other City departments and partners. This chapter serves as a playbook, outlining steps and actions to achieve plan goals and the visions identified throughout the planning process. Through a detailed roadmap of prioritized actions, timelines, and resource allocations, the Action Plan provides clear direction for stakeholders, guiding efforts towards implementation.

TIMING

The action items are identified in five phases. This helps to prioritize the staff's limited capacity to ensure that actions are realistic and feasible.

RESPONSIBLE PARTY

It is important to identify the entity in charge of initiating the action. This helps assign responsibility and consider opportunities for crossover and collaboration between city departments. This can also help maintain momentum for implementing the plan. The matrix also identifies key partners that may help support implementation.

ORGANIZATION

SYSTEM WIDE ACTION ITEMS

Combine Parks and Recreation into one department for streamlined management, concise communication, unified resources, and consistent standards.

Document and track maintenance schedules for diamonds to include turf grass fertilization and aeration, infield top dressing and leveling, lip removal, etc.

Document and track maintenance schedules for rectangles to include turf grass fertilization and aeration, sand/top dressing, turf repair, etc.

Develop an asset management plan along with a capital equipment plan.

Develop a fee policy to guide budgeting and fee setting for programs and membership that takes into consideration residents versus nonresidents.

Balance programs and services at the Recreation Center with the need for drop-in use by pass holders and residents.

Audit the number and variety of membership types to simplify the membership structure.

Increase awareness of fitness opportunities in the recreation center, such as personal training.

Establish an overall staffing philosophy that is taught to new staff and valued by all existing staff. This should be tied to levels of service for the facility as well as for recreation programs. This should cover center staffing requirements to open the facility, ratios of staff to participants, requirements for full-time staff presence, and the appropriate role and authority of part-time staff. This should also outline roles and responsibilities for each staff position, specifically for the Recreation Center.

Develop a marketing plan specific to the Recreation Center and Woodstock Water Works.

CONSIDERATIONS

Review fees on an annual basis and adjusted to maintain the financial goal.

Have a staff member become a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI).

Refine the playground replacement schedule based on the recommendations in the master plan.

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Table 12: System-Wide Operations Matrix

Lead: Parks and Recreation

EQUITY ACTION ITEM RESPONSIBLE PARTY

EQUITY ACTION ITEM

PARTY

GOAL: Promote inclusion in park spaces, facilities, and programs through equitable and effective opportunities for public participation in park planning processes to balance various perspectives and preferences.

Require that all new park development and existing park improvement projects are driven by a robust and community-based engagement and design process.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning and Marketing and Communications

Continue to build relationships with trusted community partners to reach under-represented groups and young people.

Develop a partnership with the local Homeowners Associations to ensure that parks and recreation needs of neighborhood associations are being met.

When creating a park plan, continue engaging community members to understand the features and amenities that will best serve neighborhoods.

When replacing elements in poor condition or at the end of their life cycle, replace with options that meet Universal Design and Accessibility Guidelines.

Collaborate with City leadership and social service providers to promote and support education and roles regarding unhoused populations in park spaces.

Incorporate diverse cultural and historical education opportunities in both new and existing programming, where appropriate.

Create and/or maintain partnerships with organizations focused on accessibility and inclusivity.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning and Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): City Manager's Office and Building and Planning

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

GOAL: Honor the culture, storytelling, art, and history of Woodstock’s diverse population, past and present.

Honor culturally and historically diverse stories and language through partnerships, programming, ceremonies, land management, signage and interpretation, art, and proactive community engagement.

Partner with Woodstock’s arts initiative and Arts Commission to implement aspects of the Woodstock Public Art’s Plan including the exploration of financially sustainable options for the creation and enjoyment of public art in park spaces that honors the diverse heritages and histories of the community including Hispanic culture. Consider the creation of a percent dedication to arts in all park design/capital project budgets.

Ensure that diversity is reflected in all publicfacing advertisements and communication of parks and park programming through all images that include people and text choice. Avoid language that could be interpreted as biased, exclusionary, or insensitive.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications · ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications ·

GOAL: Provide additional neighborhood parks within Equity Priority Zones.

Prioritize providing amenities and additional neighborhood parks within underserved areas, or areas farthest from Emricson Park, and in areas targeted for future residential growth.

Provide intergenerational park programming to promote health and mental wellbeing by providing people of all ages and abilities opportunities for physical activity, time in nature, social connection, and respite.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning and Public Works ·

"Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning ·

EQUITY ACTION ITEM

RESPONSIBLE PARTY

GOAL: Provide equitable, high-quality outdoor education and programming that encourages meaningful connections with nature in park spaces and ensures it meets the needs of all Woodstock residents.

Address current programming gaps through programming targeted towards seniors and teens as well as general interest programming.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning

Support a dynamic programming evaluation process for all program offerings and options for adjusting programs and/or resources, as needed, based on evaluation outcomes.

Apply consistent program metrics and benchmarks, such as a minimum number of registrants, to ensure enrollment, attendance, budget, and cost recovery are meeting established goals.

Monitor program trends against regional and national offerings to ensure that programs are current and reflect evolving recreational interests.

Survey residents annually to ensure that park programming meets the needs of the population.

Expand the current cost recovery system to determine if it adequately covers the cost for recreational programming.

Develop a comprehensive athletic field use policy.

Execute an audit in all parks to ensure that they meet ADA requirements.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Finance

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Finance

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Finance

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works

Table 14: Placemaking and Economic Development Action Plan

PLACEMAKING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTION ITEM RESPONSIBLE PARTY

GOAL: Create “destination parks” and ensure that each has iconic characteristics and distinctive qualities.

Offer diverse user experiences throughout the parks and open space system.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works"

Position the park system to host regional recreation events and tournaments to bolster tourism. If the City wishes to maintain, and likely increase, their foothold in the tournament market, moving some fields to synthetic turf would be appropriate including at least 2 of Merryman and 2 at Bates. Consider developing a field house at these parks.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Economic Development"

GOAL: Activate park spaces to support local, social, and cultural interactions.

Collaborate with local organizations to expand and strengthen opportunities for third-party entities to provide small-scale, pop-up park amenities that invite social interactions. Host popular activities in under-utilized park spaces that are well maintained to better activate and increase awareness of those park spaces.

Review and revise plans, policies, and ordinances to better facilitate commercial operations and activate community spaces, including operations for food trucks, market vendors, e-mobility, beer gardens, and entertainment providers.

Identify opportunities for amenities that can be used by all ages to enhance areas for colocation across ages.

Incorporate Universal Design guidelines in all new and updated parks and open spaces.

Increase benches/picnic tables/seating in parks system-wide.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Economic Development"

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Economic Development and Building and Planning"

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works and Marketing and Communication"

:ead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works"

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works"

Incorporate “court games” to enhance community gathering/interaction such as horseshoes, bocce courts, outdoor ping pong tables, and chess tables for example.

Encourage parks to be important sites for civic gathering and activity. Establish a communitybased process using arts and cultural expression to create or rejuvenate parks and open spaces.

Explore adding pocket parks in the equity priority zones that spaces that focus on authentic placemaking and convert unwanted, remnant spaces into highly cherished and beloved areas that all can enjoy.

Consider the consolidation of events under one department. Establish a policy around how events occur and are executed based on the intent and impact of the event.

Track expenses related to non-City hosted events and consider passing along the costs to the organization hosting the event.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Economic Development and Building and Planning ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Economic Development and Marketing and Communications

Lead: Economic Development Partner(s): Finance

GOAL: Ensure that ecological priorities are considered in the planning and design of new growth.

There are numerous ecologically sensitive areas that are currently outside of a park or conservation area that should be considered in future planning. There are opportunities for these areas to be preserved as a natural open space or transformed into a park as development occurs. Coordinate with US Fish and Wildlife Service, IDNR, TNC and MCCD to connect these areas to the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge along Woodstock’s northern planning boundary. In conjunction with the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, establish management and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) updates to reflect these priorities.

Develop a land acquisition policy and identify green infrastructure priorities within the City’s planning jurisdiction.

Encouragement and support for the establishment of voluntary preservation easements should be given to landowners.

Identify areas in parks, green spaces, or along waterways that can be restored to native habitats such as prairies, wetlands, or woodlands.

Expand the existing partnership with McHenry County Conservation District and Land Conservancy.

Encourage development to support and enhance Woodstock’s biodiversity through the following actions:

• Require the use of native landscape.

• Encourage the installation of pollinator gardens in schools and public spaces.

• Encourage the installation of edible landscapes in schools and public spaces.

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

GOAL: Increase tree canopy throughout parks and natural areas city-wide and plan for tree succession.

Continue to work towards increasing the City's tree canopy to 86% as recommended by The Chicago Region Trees Initiative. Several parks may benefit from increased tree canopy coverage including Davis Road Park, Apple Creek Park, Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Park, Emricson Park, Raintree Park, Merryman Fields Park, Silver Creek Natural Area, Sonatas Park, and Westwood Natural Area. Merryman Fields Park, in particular, has the lowest tree coverage of any city park, though this can be attributed to its primary use for baseball fields. Tree planting should ensure diversity of species. Additional tree plantings and tree succession should be applied to Park in the Square.

Outline a position for staff dedicated to yearround tree maintenance in collaboration with arborists and The Land Conservancy.

As future development occurs, continue to preserve clustered oak stands contained within park boundaries, including Donato Conservation Area, Ryders Wood, and Westwood Natural Area.

Establish a Tree Planting Program.

Evaluate current forestry budget and workforce to determine necessary resources to accomplish tree canopy goals.

Pursue the designation of Tree City USA through the following steps:

1. Establish a Tree Board or Department

2. Develop an ordinance reflecting tree preservation and maintenance

3. Maintain a Community Forestry Program with an annual budget of at leas $2 per capita

4. Celebrate Arbor Day

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Parks and Recreation · ·

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Partner(s): Public Works ·

NATURAL RESOURCES

ACTION

ITEM

RESPONSIBLE PARTY

Incorporate interpretive signage to support environmental education to support educational programming. Incorporate infrastructure to improve the experience and exposure to natural areas such as bird blinds.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications ·

GOAL: Retrofit existing parks to accommodate rainwater where programming allows.

Target priority parks to accommodate rainwater including those at regional low. Target rainwater management in parks identified as having a history of flooding.

Identify opportunities for low maintenance design, such as low-mow areas and native plantings, to decrease the necessary upkeep.

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Parks and Recreation ·

GOAL: Care for and stimulate the waterways that run through the city.

Implement measures to protect and improve water quality in the Kishwaukee River, such as riparian buffer zones and stormwater management practices.

Annually monitor the city’s rivers and creeks to ensure that water quality is not being negatively impacted.

Offer programming for the City’s waterways such as the creation of boardwalks and increase access to water resources for recreation.

Develop additional fishing access points and water access.

Restore degraded aquatic habitats by removing barriers to fish migration, stabilizing stream banks, and planting native aquatic vegetation.

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Parks and Recreation

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works and Building and Planning

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works

The City maintains 6 parks classified as "Natural Area".

GOAL: Address barriers to current and future park and recreation access such as major highways, railroad, and areas lacking pedestrian safety measures.

Collaborate with IDOT to install missing pedestrian safety measures at signalized intersections including pedestrian signals with countdown timers, high visibility crosswalks, and ADA compliant curb ramps as part of the IL Route 47 widening improvements.

The intersections below were highlighted in the Comprehensive Plan as intersections in need of these pedestrian enhancements. The City should address these and any other intersections identified as high priority through its annual Capital Improvement Program or through coordination with IDOT.

• US Highway 14 with Dean Street

• US Highway 14 with Kishwaukee Valley Road

US Highway 14 with Lake Avenue

• Raffel Road with Broadway Court

The need for additional pedestrian facility enhancements were identified in the Comprehsive Plan at the following intersections within the downtown area. Along with any other intersections identified as high priority, the city should evaluate:

• IL Route 120 and North Throop Street

West South Street and South Throop Street

• West South Street and Dean Street

• Clay/North Benton Street and East Church Street

• North Jefferson Street and East Church Street

Raffel Road at Banford Road Park

Require that all newly developed parks and ammenities are ADA accessible to promote an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their backgrounds or physical and financial circumstances, can enjoy.

Lead: Public Works

Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Public Works

Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation

GOAL: Identify future trail, greenway and sidewalk connections that connect more people to each other, to nature, and to citywide destinations.

Honor culturally and historically diverse stories and language through partnerships, programming, ceremonies, land management, signage and interpretation, art, and proactive community engagement.

New or improved sidewalks are needed to improve park access at the following locations:

• Greenwood Ave, between Wheeler St and Clay St

• Tappan St, between Greenwood Ave and Bagley St Bagley St, between Tappan St and Clay St

• Raffel Rd, between Banford Rd and IL Route 120

• Country Club Rd, between Route 47 and Queen Anne Rd

• McConnell Rd, between Route 47 and Red Barn Rd

US Highway 14, between Dean St and Lake Ave

• Dean St, between US Highway 14 and Hercules Rd

• South St, between Dakota Dr and US Highway 14

• Kimball Ave, between Blakely St and Dean St Conway St, between Hill St and Becking Ave

Continue to work with Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 to develop a Safe Walking Route plan.

Per the 2010 Woodstock Environmental Plan, create a city-wide greenways plan. See South Woodstock recommendations.

Align the preservation of sensitive ecological lands with the need for new trail alignments and regional ecological connections.

Create an acquisition plan to prioritize parcels that link and create contiguous green network with goals around wildlife habitat provision, conserving and enhancing vegetation quality and water quality management.

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation · ·

Lead: Public Works

Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Public Works

Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Public Works

Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Public Works

Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Public Works

Partner(s): Building and Planning and Parks and Recreation

GOAL: Connect Woodstock’s mobility network to regional trails and neighboring communities.

Connect Ridgefield Trace, which follows Route 14 south to Crystal Lake, to Woodstock’s park system and larger region.

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

The city, with the participation of other local governments and open space organizations such as McHenry County, MCCD, and TLC, should work together to link local open spaces to existing and planned green infrastructure networks.

The Cities of Woodstock should work cooperatively on resource protection and greenway connectivity across boundaries where green infrastructure features extend across municipal boundaries.

Add off-road bike trails within Woodstock and improve connections to off-road bike trails, mountain bike parks and pump tracks throughout the region.

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Parks and Recreation

GOAL: Support visitor navigation and engagement through a cohesive and user-friendly system of trailheads, signage, wayfinding, social media and other communication tools, and interpretive elements.

Develop a universal park sign displayed throughout the system that allows residents and visitors to easily identify Woodstock’s public parks and open spaces.

• User groups have placed advertising signs on field fences on a limited basis. A uniform policy for advertising on field fences should be implemented. Components could include sign materials and size, content of advertisement, removal and cost sharing.

Provide park identification signage at all parks and maintain consistent branding.

Provide internal wayfinding signage at larger parks (i.e. Emricson Park).

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

ACCESS ACTION ITEM

PARTY

When planning trailheads and interpretive elements, follow themes of context sensitive design, which calls for designs that are tailored to preserve, enhance, or respond to the local community and environment.

Incorporate Playground Communication Boards at playgrounds.

Incorporate engaging and educational interpretive signage in natural areas to encourage land stewardship.

Enhance existing reporting tools for documenting community needs, safety, system concerns, issues, and ideas.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications ·

Elements that hinder access include fences, high speed roads, and bodies of water.

GOAL: Increase park system funding to create and maintain a high-quality, four-season park system.

Allocate funding and staffing to meet the maintenance demands of existing athletic fields of one full-time maintenance staff dedicated to every four fields or 9 total.

Publish a yearly annual ‘State of the Parks' report in alignment with the template for all city departments. This report should compile existing financial and performance reporting, to build public trust and transparency in how allocated dollars are spent. Explore the creation of a system to benchmark against other quality parks and recreation providers.

Expand revenue generating activities in park spaces by creating a coordinated marketing strategy utilizing staff resources to promote activities, events, and activity rentals.

Annually evaluate new opportunities for revenue generation from recreation facilities (See Funding Strategies)

Annually evaluate new opportunities for revenue generation at sites where user, parking or event fees might be appropriate.

Create a structure to centralize how events are administered, staffed, and funded within a single department

With the Development Services and Economic Development Departments, convene school board, public utility service providers and public and private institutions for a coordinated review of vacant or surplus landholdings to determine highest and best use, including identification of lands for parks, open space, and resilience. Repeat this exercise every three to five years to identify opportunities for efficient use of existing parkland, creating new parkland, open space preservation and the allocation of public amenities such as parks, housing, and schools.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Finance

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Finance

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Finance

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner: Public Works

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works and Building and Planning and Economic Development

GOAL: Promote and support volunteerism and partnerships to sustainably enhance, grow and maintain the park system.

Define and expand viable volunteer opportunities that support the stewardship, and/or care of park spaces for both one-time volunteer groups (e.g., litter clean-ups) and on-going volunteers (e.g., adopt programs). As a component of this effort, the number of volunteers and hours spent should be tracked in the annual report and demonstrate the "savings" to the City.

Nurture relationships with local user groups, such as trail groups, advocacy groups, environmental partners, and volunteers supporting project development, implementation, programming, and maintenance efforts. Examples may include the U of I 4h/Master Naturalists. Consider the creation of formal partnership agreements to spell out responsibilities.

Support a culture of volunteerism, and help keep parks, trails, and open spaces in a state of good repair throughout all seasons, by providing educational opportunities for trail users on how to become trail stewards (i.e., proper trail etiquette, adapting to seasonal changes, leave no trace etc.).

Within the UDO update following the approval of the Comprehensive Plan, consider the potential to require private development to support parks and open space development within the zoning code.

Evaluate internal and external program offerings to identify community recreation programming gaps, potential new program offerings, and areas for expanded and more formalized partnerships between Recreation and other community recreation service providers.

Foster connections among community recreation providers through keeping open communication to receive and respond to feedback and inform the community of recreation opportunities.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications and Finance ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Building and Planning ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Marketing and Communications ·

INVESTMENT ACTION ITEM RESPONSIBLE PARTY

GOAL: Provide a park system that is inviting and well-maintained by meeting the community’s current expectations and exceeding their future needs.

Provide permanent restrooms at athletic complexes with 4 or more fields. This includes Davis Road Park, Emricson Park, Bates Park and Merryman Fields.

Utilize standard maintenance guidelines for all park classification types to establish a service standard for new park and park improvement projects.

Develop a standard for type and quantity of amenities and furnishings at fields, including bleachers, dugouts, trash cans, benches and batting cages to ease replacement logistics.

Maintain the existing Recreation Center facility but assess how the spaces are utilized such as when, where, and in what manner.

Maintain the existing Woodstock Water Works as a regional aquatic center asset that continues to serve the city and adjacent communities.

Complete an annual review of amenities by park to ensure that all necessary updates or additions are reflected in the Capital Improvements Plan and annual maintenance schedule.

Hire at least an additional 4 full-time employees dedicated to parks and recreation.

As growth occurs per the comprehensive plan, ensure new parks are established to adequately serve the recreation needs of residents.

Retrofit additional amenities within existing parks to meet level of service standards as detailed in this plan.

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works and Engineering ·

Lead: Public Works Partner(s): Building and Planning

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works and Engineering

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works and Engineering

Lead: Parks and Recreation Partner(s): Public Works and Engineering

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works and Engineering

PLACE-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS

Participants of both the community workshop and youth engagement, were given a map of the four quadrants of the city (Figure 18) and asked to place stickers representing different needs and desires such as activities, restrooms, new parks, and maintenance, at each park. With this input, planning analysis, best practices, existing goals, and staff input, placebased recommendations were developed.

Figure 21: Planning Quadrants

Community Workshop East Woodstock map results.

PLACE-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS

NORTH WOODSTOCK

North Woodstock has 9 parks which equates to 204 park acres. These park types are comprised of 1 community park, 2 natural areas, 3 neighborhood parks and 3 special use parks. The area is not a high priority in terms of environmental equity, but has large pockets of areas that are high priority areas for demographic and health equity overlays. This area is ethnically diverse compared to the City.

Figure 22: North Woodstock Current Inventory

NORTH WOODSTOCK

Table 18: North Place-Based Actions

ACTION ITEM

Develop a temporary rink that may be utilized year-round (ice and roller).

General maintenance and updates to all amenities and lighting in AJ Olson Park, particularly to the splashpad. Create both handicap and permanent restrooms.

There are some blocks immediately adjacent to AJ Olson that lack sidewalks. This park should be prioritized for connectivity developments.

BANFORD ROAD PARK

It was noted by the public that an audit must be done on the playground equipment.

Increase accessibility for residents across N Seminary Ave.

BATES PARK

At least an additional 100 parking spaces are needed.

Consider irrigation on ball fields.

Enhance the connection from Bates into Silver Creek via the existing parking lot.

Give consideration for providing concessions given the park as a destination for baseball and softball.

Expand the existing garage to meet the daily storage needs.

Renovate field two to address issues with backstops, upgrades to dugouts and deferred maintenance.

MERRYMAN FIELDS

At least an additional 100 parking spaces are needed.

New access to the east for safety and accessibility as new development occurs. Opportunity to connect to the newly acquired land by The Land Conservancy and a newly sited neighborhood park.

Future consideration for extending Haydn Street to the East for north Queen Anne road should be given when future residential growth occurs to the east.

Continue to explore possibilities to connect to the highschool as development expands in this area.

Add or update restrooms, field lighting, concessions, and tree shade.

RAINTREE PARK

Add interpretive signage.

Consider the potential to develop bird blinds for passive recreation.

Add benches and seating for nature watching.

SILVERCREEK PARK

Wetland mitigation and educational signage.

Improve connectivity between Bates and Silver Creek if, and when, investment is made in the trail system at Silver Creek.

Continue invasive species management to enhance this park as a nature education resource. Education can include signage and birdwatching areas.

Given its proximity to Marian Central Catholic Highschool, opportunity exists to enhance the environmental education. Increasing accessibility to the high school would also improve access for residents to the south of 120 which was significantly underserved.

Increase signage to promote the park and educate the community about its opportunities.

SESQUINCENTENNIAL PARK

Provide dog waste station.

Continue to maintain this park as it currently exists.

SONATAS PARK

Develop a community garden.

Create a neighborhood-level park plan.

Increase the tree canopy at this park.

Consider the potential to utilize water bodies for recreation opportunities.

Add or update restrooms, field lighting, concessions, and tree shade.

SWEETWATER PARK

Develop a multi-use sports court that provides opportunities for tennis and basketball with adequate parking for usability.

Create a neighborhood-level park plan to determine amenities to better utilize the space.

Increase tree canopy shade and seating.

As playground equipment is updated, it should meet universal design standards and incorporate accessible play amenities for all ages, specifically older children.

This would be an appropriate location on the north side to accommodate a dog park.

AJ OLSON

PLACE-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS

EAST WOODSTOCK

East Woodstock includes only one park, McConnell Road Park. This area is the only quadrant that is lacking in park acreage (by 22.7 acres) as determined by National Recreation and Parks Association. However, as compared to other quadrants, excluding South Woodstock, this area is less populated. The area is a priority in terms of environmental equity, specifically in areas south of the railroad.

Figure 23: East Woodstock Current Inventory

McHenryAve EastwoodDr

EAST WOODSTOCK

Table 19: East Place-Based Actions

ACTION ITEM

QUADRANT WIDE

A new park a minimum of 15 acres in size to meet the quadrant's level of service shortfall but could be larger to accommodate the range in programming within a regional park. Consideration should be given to the addition of water play in this location. Additionally, consider opportunities for this park to include a pavilion/bandstand, skate/bike park, parking, restrooms, and dog park. This regional park should be positioned in order to preserve the ecological priority zones. This park has immediate access to the intersection of 47 and 14. This regional park allows Emricson to become the sports venue (pickelball courts, diamonds, disc golf, rectangles). The community events could shift to this new regional park creating a different focus. It could provide relief to Emricson and perhaps Park in the Square. This regional park starts to take on its own "brand."

MCCONNELL ROAD PARK

Increase opportunities for passive and active recreation such as a multi use rectangle to provide opportunities for soccer, lacrosse and football and yard games

Create new accessibility paths as indicated in the walkshed map to close gaps to the neighborhoods north of this park

Increase tree canopy, accommodate stormwater, and increase native plantings

There is opportunity to expand the play area in Mcconnell park to meet universal needs and accommodate all ages

DUFIELD POND CONSERVATION AREA

Community engagement indicated a desire for additional fishing access within the community.

The city should continue to work with the county to improve access to, and through, Dufield Pond

A new park will continue to provide opportunities for community gathering and outdoor play.

PLACE-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS

SOUTH WOODSTOCK

South Woodstock has 4 parks totaling 187 acres of parkland. Parks in this quadrant range from neighborhood to special use and natural areas. This quadrant has the lowest population of all the quadrants, with an estimated 1,600 people, reflected in the smallest persons per acre (8.5). This area is considered an environmental and demographic equity priority zone.

SOUTH WOODSTOCK

Table 20: South Place-Based Actions

ACTION ITEM

APPLE CREEK PARK

Leverage the park's location to connect it to the Kishwaukee Conservation area.

CASTLE ROAD PARK

Given the popularity of the community gardens, expand this programming to the south along Castle Road.

Enhance the park as a community gathering area.

Leverage the park's existing location next to the Kishwuakee River and highdensity housing and current ecological components, as well as its adjacency to significant future growth areas to the south, expand the park to the east.

Given the future population growth of the community, consider this as an opportunity to provide ac tive recreational programming through an iconic regional attraction, such as a nature-based playground.

DAVIS ROAD PARK

Coordinate where the greenway touches the park and enhance connectivity to Kishwaukee Park.

Develop permanent restrooms.

Provide ammenities for every-day use including flex-spaces and walking paths through the back and sides of the property.

Increase maintenance amenities including restrooms, trash, and lights to make the fields more usable.

KISHWAUKEE HEADWATERS CONSERVATION AREA

Continue to partner with the McHenry County Conservation District regarding greenway improvements and enhancing accessibility.

Continue to partner with the McHenry County Conservation District to elevate awareness of the park through emphasized signage.

Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Area

PLACE-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS

WEST WOODSTOCK

West Woodstock has 9 parks totaling 234 acres. It has the most amenities of all of the quadrants. It also has a wide range of park types including neighborhood, community, regional, and natural areas. West Woodstock is not considered an equity priority zone for any of the overlay factors. This quadrant has several areas that may be considered flood hazards which are, for the most part, within or surrounding parks.

WEST WOODSTOCK

PARK IN THE SQUARE

A component of this planning process included a focus on Park in the Square. Platted in 1844, Park in the square is a significant asset of the City of Woodstock. It is the only community park within the core of the downtown and as such serves a very critical role within the overall park system. Park in the Square has historical significance and its valued structures – the Spring House, and Bandstand – remain standing and utilized today, having gone through various renovations in the past.

Today, the area around the Park is ripe for development opportunities. The park is the stage that hosts numerous events in all seasons throughout the year (over 57 annually). The park's visual connection to the train station and the plethora of significant historic structures around it and the potential future new developments that are anticipated, present an opportunity to rethink and innovate and make the park more resilient for the future.

To continue to support community events in a resilient way into the future, what type and degree of change is needed?

38% Rehabilitation of the historic structures and some "light touch" additional changes

62% The space should be reimagined into something completely new while restoring irreplaceable elements

The process began through an analysis of current conditions, including events and uses. While the square is roughly 2 acres, the usable space is about one and a half acres. There are 12 benches, and tree canopy covers 50% of the space. In several outreach efforts, Park in the Square has come up as Woodstock's greatest asset for the residents, as well as for the regional community. As a result, the analysis asked the following questions to determine the path forward for Park in the Square: How can we maintain the historical integrity of the Park in the Square while ensuring it can support community needs and events in a resilient way? What is the primary role of the park?

Several work sessions were hosted with City staff and a focus group was held with key stakeholders in order to attempt to answer those questions. Two concepts were explored based on community feedback. Ultimately, Park in the Square requires further, immediate, analysis to best meet community needs and desires.

Share

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

• The park is a historical asset.

• The park's axial relationship to the train station and Opera House are historically treasured.

• The park's location and events in the middle of the City brings regional and national visitors.

• The park spurs surrounding economic development, but can impact parking.

The park hosts daily use by residents as well as large-scale weekend event use for visitors.

• The park hosts the city's largest events.

• The Bandstand and Spring House are in need of repair.

• Drainage could be better accommodated to mitigate potential for floods.

• The park cannot accommodate the 5,000+ crowd that attends some events (Groundhogs day, Lighting of the Square, etc.)

• Restrooms are not provided directly inside of the park.

Electric and water are not available as utilities in the park.

Large events are likely causing soil compaction.

• The streets surrounding the park cannot accommodate the event traffic.

CONCEPT EXPLORATION

Please see the Appendix for further information of these concepts and a clarification about this process.

1. RESTORE AND REHABILITATE THE SQUARE

Highlighted through engagement is the importance of Park in the Square as a historical asset to the community. As such, one concept that was explored is to rehabilitate the park. Rehabilitation is defined by the National Park Service as "the act of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical and cultural values." This would include restoring structures, adding pop jet water feature to the Spring House, converting some open space lawn to planting, creating gateway elements into the square, and restoring the bandstand in its current place.

2. RE-IMAGINE THE SQUARE

The word most commonly used in descriptions of, and responses about, the park was "events". Currently, the park is being used to host regional events that can bring upwards of 5,000 people. While the park is hosting these, it is not accommodating this number of people and activity in a high-quality way. As a result, one concept that was explored is to completely re-imagine the Park in the Square to enable it to better fit the needs of the community and events. In addition to addressing all recommendations from the rehabilitation concept, this would include all re-imagining the park outside of its boundaries, such as into Benton Street and by the Metra Station. Potential revisions might include cafe dining areas, a romance garden, festival lighting, bandstand relocation, and a new performance area.

Table 21: Park in the Square SWOT

Figure 26: Park in the Square Focus Group Responses

1-3 words that describe what Park in the Square means to you.

WEST WOODSTOCK

ACTION ITEM

DONATO CONSERVATION

Continue to research opportunities to purchase surrounding parcels for increased access.

Make more welcoming to adjacent neighborhoods through sigange on West South street to inform residents and visitors of Donato's proximity to Emricson.

Develop additional multi-use paths.

If and when additional land is acquired, explore better connectivity with Emricson and additional parking.

DICK TRACY WAY (CHILDREN'S PLACE PARK)

Improve signage to enhance connectivity with Ryders Woods.

Develop a community garden and leverage the proximity to the police department through a partnership.

Consider the addition of a pavilion.

EMRICSON PARK

Consider developing the following amenities:

• Off-leash dog park

• Additional restrooms

• Skating rink

• Sledding hill signage

• Public art

• Pedestrian connectivity

• Enhanced fishing - docks/access to water

• Event pavillion/ampitheater

• Yard games

Develop more permanent restrooms.

Increase trails for better connectivity throughout the park, including off-road bike trails and related mountain bike infrastructure such as pump tracks.

Consider expanding irrigation to to all diamonds.

Improve the indoor pool to better meet the needs of the community through a 25-yard pool with the ability to have multiple programs (swim lessons, water fitness, lap swimming) going on concurrently.

Upgrade amenities for concessions and restrooms for Thunder Football and Cheer

MARY ANN STREET PARK

Preserve existing park amenities.

RYDERS WOODS

Improve signage. ·

Provide nature education opportunities. ·

Increase trail maintenance and expansion; Connect the trails to Dick Tracy.

PRAIRIE RIDGE DRIVE

Provide more seating for passive outdoor recreation. ·

Provide more tree canopy.

Expand the playground given the park's proximity to high density residential.

Increase the maintenance of existing amenities.

PARK IN THE SQUARE

Repair the Bandstand and Spring House. ·

Address drainage issues near the Bandstand. ·

Reconfigure the Bandstand to remove the pole in the center to expand programming.

Develop restrooms within or near to the park.

Add more benches, tables, and trees into the park. ·

·

Add electric and water to the park. ·

Initiate a Park in the Square planning process and/or designate a specific part of an update to the Downtown Development Plan towards planning for the Park.

SUNNYSIDE PARK

Increase accessibility opportunities.

Increase quality/maintenance.

Increase seating.

TARA DRIVE PARK

Continue to research opportunities to purchase surrounding parcels for access.

WESTWOOD

Partner with the land conservancy to develop new access points.

Develop multi-modal connectivity with Yonder Prairie.

Develop signage, increase parking, and wayfinding for increased education.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

Effective policies are essential for fostering an environment where parks and recreation facilities can thrive. This section was developed in collaboration with City staff and stakeholders, and was informed by community desires. It is intended to address critical areas where existing policies can be refined or new policies introduced to ensure that parks and recreations are well-maintained, equitable, and responsive to community needs.

FUNDING AND OPERATIONS

CURRENT FUNDING AND FRAMEWORK

Consider establishing a list of park and open space activation and stewardship items for developers to choose from. A menu of items would ensure a base level of park and open space activation while providing developers with the flexibility needed to customize parks and open space to the surrounding residents’ needs.

Integrate ecological priority considerations into the development processes by incorporating green infrastructure elements as incentives in the zoning code.

Per the 2010 Woodstock Environmental Plan, develop a Comprehensive Tree Ordinance or Urban Tree Renewal Plan, including tree removal policies and invasive species mitigation.

Identify opportunities to incentivize tree planting and preservation by private developers.

Revise the City ordinances that impact community events to centralize their planning efforts.

Create a comprehensive, formal agreement template that outlines the terms and conditions for regular park usage by organizations. This should include sections on access, scheduling, maintenance responsibilities, and ammenities.

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Parks and Recreation ·

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works

Lead: Public Works (Forestry) Partner(s): Parks and Recreation

Lead: Building and Planning Partner(s): Public Works

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Partner(s): Public Works ·

Lead: Parks and Recreation

Partner(s): Public Works ·

The City of Woodstock provides and maintains all park facilities and recreational programs to residents as part of the local city government services. As a result, residents do not pay any additional property taxes to a separate taxing body (i.e. a park district). Funding for park facilities, park maintenance, and recreational programs is derived from user fees and from general property taxes collected by the City of Woodstock. In addition, the city collects a fee with the issuance of each building permit for new residential construction that is used to fund the annual Capital Improvement Program for park facilities.

The daily operation of the City's park and recreational services is performed by two separate departments - the Recreation Department and the Parks Division of the Public Works Department - working together under the guidance and overall responsibility of the City Manager. The City Manager reports to the City Council. The members of City Council have complete control of all policy decisions, setting regulations and ordinances, approval of the annual budget, and ultimate responsibility for coordination and communication with the residents and park users.

FUNDING STRATEGIES

Parkland Dedication Ordinance: Dedication of open space or payment of fees for park development by private developers can be negotiated in exchange for developmental considerations beyond those customarily permitted by planning and zoning requirements.

Foundations: Foundations support charitable activities focused primarily on local needs. The advantages of a foundation include tax exemptions and tax deductibility.

Cooperative Use Agreements: A cooperative use agreement is an agreement between the school and parks department to share facilities.

This agreement would allow the City to expand its available parkland without taking on any additional maintenance responsibilities.

Sales Tax / Food and Beverage Tax: The City could impose a sales tax on retail sales to fund capital improvements, as well as for general operations, maintenance, and management of the parks system.

User Fees: Indoor recreation facilities, athletic complexes and aquatic facilities have high staffing and maintenance obligations. In Woodstock, the recreation center and aquatic center generate income to fund the operations. While this practice should continue, the ability to raise significant funding is limited. Fees from athletic fields and other parks should be reviewed to capture additional operational expenses, but will not generate substantial funds for capital improvements.

Bonds: The City could utilize its bonding capacity to raise capital for development, repair, improvements to the park system. Taxes are raised appropriately to retire the bond over the term of the bond.

Lease / Purchase Financing: Facilities for public use can be financed and built through an entity separate from the municipality – either another public entity, a non-profit corporation set up for that purpose, a bank or leasing company, or joint powers authority.

Public Private Partnership (PPP): With a PPP project, the public entity develops a relationship with a private enterprise to jointly fund, construct and operate a recreation facility. In some cases, the public entity contributes the land that can be used for the facility and there may be tax advantages involved for the partnership.

Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Tax: The Hotel, Motel and Restaurant tax is based on gross receipts from charges and meal services or a per-room / night rate and may be used to build and operate golf courses, tennis courts, and other special park and recreation facilities or be put to

Table 23: Policy Considerations

use in general park operations. The advantage to such a tax source is that virtually all of it is generated by visitors, not local residents. Currently, the Opera House implements this tax.

Special Improvement District/Benefit District: These taxing districts are established to provide funds for certain types of group of affected properties. Grant funding programs have been available at both the state and federal levels.

Open Space and Land Acquisition

Development (OSLAD): Funding can be used to assist local government agencies in Illinois with the acquisition and development of land for public parks and open spaces. Funding can be used for acquisition of open space, development of new parks, and renovation of existing recreational facilities. Projects can include playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, and trails.

Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program: The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program can be used to provide financial assistance for developing, maintaining, and upgrading bike paths. Examples include the construction of new bike paths, maintenance of existing paths, and related support facilities such as signage and parking.

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF/ LAWCON): Land and Water Conservation Fund can help local municipalities through supporting the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Funding can be utilized for parks and recreation areas, development of outdoor recreational facilities such as playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas.

Recreation Trails Program (RTP): The Recreation Trails Program funds eligible communities and organizations to support the development and maintenance of recreational trails and related facilities.

Park and Recreational Facilities Construction Program (PARC): Specific to Illinois, the Park and Recreation Faciliities Construction Program can be an option to provide grants for the construction and renovation of park and recreational facilities in the state.

Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Funds: ITEP funds can be used for transportationrelated projects. Relevant to parks and recreation, funding can be used for the development of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, such as bike lanes, trails, and pedestrian bridges, as well as safety improvements and accessibility enhancements.

Illinois Youth Recreation Corps Program: While not specific to parks and recreation funding, this program can be leveraged to fund summer employment programs for youth, focusing on recreational and educational activities.

Community Development Block Grants: CDBG funds may be used for community development projects, including recreation programs and facilities. Development and improvement of parks and recreational facilities, programs targeting lowand moderate-income populations can fall under this category.

National Recreation and Parks Association: NRPA grants are used nationwide to secure funding for innovative and impactful park and recreation projects such as health and wellness programs, conservation initiatives, and social equity projects.

Illinois Arts Council Agency Grants: Grants can support arts-related programming, which may include funding for arts and cultural programming in parks and recreation settings.

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Grants: The purpose of the CMAP Technical Assistance programs is to assist communities with planning and implementation, provide them interagency expertise that can build up their capacity, and help them better leverage the region's transit network. Project examples include bicycle and pedestrian plans, capital improvement plans, and site planning.

Retail Revenue Strategies: This encompass maximizing profitability and enhancing visitor experience through retail including liquor licenses, concessions, vending, and retail space.

Appendix A: Past Plans Summary

Landscape Architecture Planning

Urban Design Strategic Services

Environmental Graphic Design

125 South Clark Street

Suite 660

Chicago, Illinois 60603

312.360.1736

designworkshop.com

Woodstock Past Plans Summary

To: City of Woodstock Staff

From: Design Workshop

Date: 10/23/12

Project Name: Woodstock Parks Master Plan

Subject: Previous Plan Review

Below is a study of plans that have been completed in and around the City of Woodstock that were identified as relevant by City staff. This is intended to be an internal document to assist Design Workshop in understanding past planning efforts and how they interact with the Parks System Master Plan. Comments are confined to a brief summary of the plans and recommendations from the plans that directly and indirectly impact the current planning process.

The following plans have been reviewed:

1. Comprehensive Plan update

2. Green Infrastructure Plan

3. Environmental Plan

4. Woodstock Streetscape Design Guidelines

5. Historic District Considerations

6. Downtown Development Plan

7. City of Woodstock Parks Master Plan 2005

8. Existing Survey Outreach

There are multiple recurring recommendations throughout these plans. These are as follows:

1. Utilize private development to gain parks and open space and/or necessary recreation.

2. Preserve the historic aspect of the Square.

3. Continue to emphasize the Square as a unique asset for the City of Woodstock by highlighting it through future development guidelines.

4. Work with partnerships to preserve natural assets and create local and regional trails.

Plan / Document Name: Comprehensive Plan Update

Publication Year: 2023

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Recommendations that directly impact this plan:

In the 2023, the City of Woodstock began the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan. The Woodstock Comprehensive Plan will serve as a foundation for decision making and help guide where the City wants to be in the future. It will provide goals for the future of Woodstock and recommendations to help the City get there. The City’s last comprehensive plan was last adopted in 2008. Woodstock has chosen to update its Comprehensive Plan to ensure that City staff and elected officials have a strong foundation and guidance to lead the community into the next 20 years.

1. Maintain a parks and open space system that meets the recreational and environmental needs of Woodstock residents.

2. Ensure the preservation and protection of cherished natural resources and amenities such as parks, open spaces, water resources, natural areas, and night skies.

3. Outreach participants stated that Woodstock has the opportunity to position itself as a recreation destination, which will enhance its local tourism. However, it was stated that some of the City’s community assets need improvements, such as Emricson Park. Participants felt that Emricson Park needs maintenance to its pool, a bike path, and other unique features, such as a pickleball court. It was also suggested that Emricson Park could be utilized through the addition of amenities, such as ice skating, sledding, and a warming house.

a. Within its existing and new parks, the City should ensure that recreational facilities and opportunities are available for all ages. Parks should include features such as ample seating options, modern playground equipment, and outdoor exercise equipment – features that appeal to a wide age range.

4. To ensure that new park sites are adequately serving the recreation needs of neighborhood residents, the City should consider establishing a menu of park and open space activation items for the developer to choose from.

a. A menu of items would ensure a base level of park and open space activation while providing developers with the flexibility needed to customize parks and open space to the surrounding residents’ needs

5. Emricson Park could use better maintenance to its pool, and improvements such as a bike path and other amenities, like a pickleball court or ice-skating rink. The Parks and Streets Division should work with the City government to identify necessary improvements, replacements, and expansions over time to its parks, focusing on providing opportunities for all. These types of additions would promote the City as a family-oriented community as it provides an adequate space to host family-friendly events.

6. Though the City meets NRPA standards for parks, the community should continue to increase distribution of public parks and green spaces whenever possible. Currently, the majority of the City’s core residential areas are within a 10-minute walk of a park.

a. Some of the existing residential areas on the periphery of the City and the new residential area identified by the Land Use Plan are outside the existing park service areas.

b. The City should consider their acquisition to develop public spaces such as neighborhood parks, tot lots, or community gardens

7. Third places, such as small plazas and parklets can serve as focal points for future pedestrian activity, functioning as an amenity to business patrons as well as residents and visitors. Third places should be integrated into all new commercial development, including in Downtown and within neighborhoods.

a. Public gathering spaces such as plazas and parklets should be used in combination with decorative signage and lighting, seating areas, planters, and other beautification elements to create

Recommendations that indirectly impact this plan:

Key takeaways:

cohesive and inviting destinations that can host the events that Woodstock residents enjoy

8. The City’s 2009 Master Bicycle Plan identifies a series of improvements to the City’s roadway system to improve bicycle travel, close gaps in the pedestrian network, and improve safety at intersections. The improvements include various types of pedestrian and bicycle facilities to provide an interconnected network that connects commercial corridors, parks, schools, civic facilities, and religious institutions. While the recommendations outlined in the plan have been incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan, consideration should be given to updating the bicycle plan to suit the current needs of the community and to align with the recently adopted McHenry County Connection Plan.

9. The City should continue to support the growing landscape of electric vehicles. To do this, the City should consider installing charging stations for public use and public facilities, including at City-owned lots, parks, and municipal buildings.

1. The city can develop more parks and open spaces in newly developed areas, as well as smaller nodal parks and green space such as tot lots and plazas to enhance the sense of community.

2. The city should prioritize sidewalk and road maintenance for the easy and comfortable access of parks and open spaces.

Plan / Document Name: Green Infrastructure Plan

Publication Year: 2013

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Recommendations that directly impact this plan:

This Plan provides a further demonstration of the City’s ongoing commitment in this area. Its purpose is to inventory and map natural resources in and around Woodstock and to show how they can be connected. It is intended to “start the conversation” and provide direction for natural resource protection and buffer creation efforts. It can also be used to identify the location of sites that should be protected and managed as open space, and to show how our natural features relate to future land use and development within Woodstock and its planning jurisdiction.

It will allow residents and property owners to become informed of the existence of green infrastructure in the vicinity of their property and how their land can be managed so as to protect and enhance adjoining green areas. This information can also be used to create guidelines and recommendations for the preservation, protection, and linking of natural features which comprise green infrastructure.

Acquisition of Green Infrastructure by Public Agencies:

1. The City of Woodstock should develop a land acquisition policy and identify green infrastructure priorities within the City’s planning jurisdiction. Opportunities for protecting local natural areas that are part of the green infrastructure network should be identified, and efforts to educate residents and property owners about the value of these natural resources and the networks they comprise should be made.

2. The City should coordinate with US Fish and Wildlife Service and MCCD efforts in the implementation of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge along Woodstock’s northern planning boundary.

3. Woodstock, either by itself or with other municipalities interested in preserving natural areas as public open space, should consider utilizing the resources of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

4. The City should continue working with private land owners, TLC, and similar organizations to protect critical natural areas, buffers, and connections within the City and its planning jurisdiction.

Planning and Zoning Initiatives

1. The Cities of Woodstock and Crystal lake should work cooperatively on resource protection and greenway connectivity in the southeast part of Woodstock and northwest Crystal Lake where green infrastructure features extend across municipal boundaries.

2. Green infrastructure elements and information should continue to be incorporated into the City’s land use plans and zoning maps, with a priority on protecting critical natural resources, open space, and linked greenways.

3. Woodstock should link development priorities to natural resource amenities, particularly streams, lakes, wetlands, and their respective watersheds and recharge areas. Development should be avoided or restricted in the most sensitive of these areas.

Greenway Connections

1. Qualified conservation organizations and public land agencies should promote public awareness and provide technical assistance regarding greenway protection to private landowners and homeowners associations.

2. The City, with the participation of other local governments and open space organizations such as McHenry County, MCCD, and TLC, should work together to link local open spaces to existing and planned green infrastructure networks.

3. The City should require the connection of adjacent buffer zones and existing natural and open space areas when new development projects are proposed.

Trails and Bikeways

1. Along with McHenry County, local governments, and the McHenry County Department of Transportation, the City should coordinate efforts to plan and implement trail corridors throughout Woodstock and the County to provide clear, safe connections between communities and existing and future open space areas.

2. When evaluating locations for trail corridors, the City should identify multiple-use riparian (i.e., streamside) greenway opportunities to accommodate trails, wildlife corridors, and vegetative buffers.

3. The City should encourage and plan for improved walkability throughout the community.

4. Existing pedestrian pathways should be identified and connected.

Buffer Zones

1. Utilize natural areas, dedicated open space, public and private parks and recreational sites, trail systems, and conservation areas to designate areas for buffer zones between the City and neighboring municipalities.

2. The City and local conservation organizations should evaluate land which provides a connection between significant natural areas and environmental resources for designation as a potential buffer zone.

Recommendations that indirectly impact this plan:

Landscape Retrofitting of Developed Land

1. Woodstock should identify retrofit opportunities to preserve and restore natural base-flows in local streams and water bodies to protect their ecology and quality.

2. Educate and encourage property owners’ associations to allow the use of natural landscaping under their covenants and deed restriction documents.

Acquisition of Green Infrastructure by Public Agencies

1. Where appropriate, the City and neighboring municipalities should work for the adoption of intergovernmental partnerships and leverage their resources to create and preserve natural communities.

Easements:

2. Encouragement and support for the establishment of voluntary preservation easements should be given to land owners.

3. The City and other municipalities, with support from the TLC and other environmental organizations, should promote the joining together of areas subject to conservation easements and in close proximity to each other, in order to establish or enhance the green infrastructure network.

Dedication of Nature Preserves

1. The City and local conservation organizations should continue their efforts to educate private landowners and land developers about opportunities to set aside land for natural resource conservation and protection purposes

Planning and Zoning Initiatives

1. Regulatory tools and techniques, such as overlay protection districts and the general review procedures set out in the Unified Development Ordinance, should be reviewed and revised by the City to clearly require the identification of sensitive areas where development intensity should be limited.

2. The City should add provisions for commercial and industrial conservation design standards in its Unified Development Ordinance

3. The City should continue to utilize a variety of creative greenway preservation tools such as linkages identified in land use plans, intergovernmental agreements, buffer zones, and conservation design principles.

4. The interconnection of open space and greenways should be required by Woodstock during the subdivision and development approval process.

Trail and Bikeways

1. Where appropriate and as part of mandatory public improvements, Woodstock should require the installation of pedestrian and bicycle trail amenities that will contribute to or result in linear connections between buffer zones.

Landscape Retrofitting of Developed Land

1. The City should increase its capacities to protect, restore, and manage watershed resources with effective and consistent regulations, leadership, and public education.

2. Develop written direction and guidelines regarding the use and benefit of natural landscaping and publicize this information as part of the City’s “good neighbor” brochure program

Key takeaways:

• Green infrastructure preservation and enhancement is not an activity that can be successful without intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships among several diverse groups and organizations, as well as the involvement and support of private landowners and the development community.

• Green infrastructure planning should be an integral part of each community’s planning and development activities and strategy, and should be acknowledged as linked and interconnected to the “built” environment.

• Priorities may include policy changes such as land acquisition, revising the zoning code to expand requirements for the development and protection of green infrastructure and natural resources, and improved connectivity.

Questions:

Plan / Document Name:

Publication Year: 2010

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Recommendations that directly impact this plan:

The Environmental Plan is intended to function as both an educational resource and as a planning tool. Each chapter is broken down into discussions on the key issues related to the main topic. The discussion of each key issue is then followed by specific goals and actions that are recommended to foster environmental responsibility and move the city toward sustainability.

1. Ensure environmental quality. Understand environmental linkages when decisions are made regarding growth, land use, natural areas, transportation, energy, water, housing, air quality and economic development.

2. Goal: Maintain the unique character of Woodstock’s agricultural heritage.

a. Establish community garden sites.

b. Continue and enhance support of the agricultural events and venues such as farmer’s market and harvest fest.

3. Goal: Identify, protect and enhance environmental features within Woodstock’s green infrastructure.

a. Create a Woodstock green infrastructure map which identifies the important elements and creates buffers around them.

4. Goal: Create a greenways plan.

a. Create bike and hiking trails and protect linking corridors.

b. Pursue cooperative agreements with other entities to create these trails.

5. Goal: Promote pedestrian and bicycle traffic near transit stations and throughout the community

a. Require sidewalks and pedestrian trails in proximity to transit stations to provide connectivity between transit stations and other land uses.

6. Enhance Woodstock’s biodiversity.

a. Take appropriate measures to enhance those areas which provide habitat for native species.

7. Goal: Acquire lands to protect or enhance Woodstock’s biodiversity.

a. Develop a land acquisition strategy.

8. Goal: Educate the public and City staff on the value of wetlands and use of best management practices for wetland enhancement and protection.

a. Include trails, where environmentally sound, along stream corridors to enhance public use and education.

b. Provide City personnel with training opportunities.

9. Goal: Promote maintenance of existing urban trees and the planting of native trees throughout the City.

a. Develop a Comprehensive Tree Ordinance or Urban Tree Renewal Plan, including tree removal policies and invasive species mitigation.

b. Establish a Tree Planting Program.

c. Perform an inventory of existing urban trees.

d. Enroll and/or update the City of Woodstock as a Tree City USA member.

Recommendations that indirectly impact this plan:

10. Goal: Provide long-term protection for Woodstock’s six Locally Significant Natural Resource sites.

a. Develop and implement a restoration-management plan for each site currently owned by the city (West Woodstock Prairie, Emricson Park Woodland, Ryders Woods, Silver Creek, and Alberts Meadow). Each plan should include management needs as a priority, as well as identifying user needs such as trails, benches and interpretive signs or displays.

b. Identify a long-term protection strategy for the Lamb Road wetland. Apply for state and federal grants to promote acquisition, restoration, recreation, and management activities.

11. Goal: Identify and protect other high quality natural communities within Woodstock. Develop a GIS-based inventory of existing Locally Significant Natural Resource sites remaining within the City.

a. Continue to work with conservation agencies and land trusts to manage Locally Significant Natural Resource sites*

12. Goal: Promote local volunteer stewardship as part of natural areas management.

13. Goal: Reduce existing airborne pollutants.

a. Plant trees and protect / increase green space to improve air quality.

14. Goal: Curb air-polluting emissions by providing alternatives to and/or reducing automobile travel and other gasolinepowered motor use.

a. Encourage natural landscaping in lieu of turf grass lawns to reduce the need for mowing.

15. Create more opportunities for safe and inviting bicycle and pedestrian transit.

a. Increase the availability of bike racks and “rest area” type amenities around the city.

b. Investigate grants and develop partnerships for building pedestrian bridges, bike lanes, and trails/sidewalks.

c. Identify and connect existing pedestrian pathways.

d. Create a Bicycle Transportation Plan for the city.

16. Goal: Develop an agritourism and ecotourism strategy for the City.

a. Identify destinations that currently provide agritourism and ecotourism opportunities

1. Goal: Maintain/redevelop Woodstock as a center of agricultural commerce.

a. Encourage the creation and sustainability of agricultural businesses in the economic development plan.

2. Goal: Support additional venues for the production, marketing and sale of local foods.

a. Include local food production in the economic development plan

b. Explore establishing an indoor year-round farmer’s market.

3. Goal: Ensure long-term maintenance and management of protected natural areas within Conservation Design developments.

a. Identify responsible party to provide funding and long-term maintenance, including detailed management plans which clearly define the roles of the developer, property owner and local unit of government or qualified third party.

4. Goal: Redevelop underutilized or contaminated properties.

a. Provide assistance to developers through streamlined development approval procedures and/or specific economic incentives which are revenue-neutral to the community.

5. Goal: Encourage economic development of community brownfields.

a. Continuously seek access to funding for State and Federal brownfield mitigation programs and implementation/remediation strategies.

6. Goal: Protect West Woodstock Prairie.

a. Adopt protective land use practices in the upland recharge areas as depicted in the Comprehensive Plan’s Resource Conservation Corridor.

b. Provide permanent protection to this site, e.g., dedication of an Illinois Nature Preserve.

7. Goal: Educate City staff on prairie vegetation.

a. Sponsor training sessions for Parks Department Personnel in prairie restoration and maintenance techniques

8. Goal: Protect Woodstock’s remaining wetland resources.

a. Require the location of natural resources within the watershed be provided when reviewing proposed new developments. Review existing ordinances and revise to require new developments in proximity to Woodstock’s wetland system to address specific on-site wetland needs.

b. Explore how to provide adequate naturalized buffer zones within all new developments located along Woodstock’s wetland system.

c. Provide long-term maintenance of Woodstock’s wetland system.

9. Goal: Protect groundwater quality and quantity for use by current and future generations as well as natural systems

a. Establish Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPA) under the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act which gives local governments the authority to protect groundwater recharge areas and community wellhead zones via ordinances and zoning controls.

b. Explore the viability of adopting a Regulated Recharge Areas and develop a Recharge Area Suitability Assessment policy

10. Goal: Limit surface water runoff and reduce water runoff pollution.

a. Promote the retrofit of existing conventional stormwater systems with naturalized BMPs.

Key Takeaways:

Questions:

b. Install/identify demonstration sites on public or private property within the city (raingardens, rainbarrels, BMPs etc.).

Key themes include protection, connectivity, and education. This takeaways reflect how the parks and open space system can be utilized to take environmentally sustainable actions.

Plan / Document Name: Downtown Sub-Area Plan

Publication Year: 1996

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Downtown revitalization is based on four overall goals: Economic Vitality, Sense of Place, Spirit of Community, and Neighborhood Integrity.

Downtown is and must remain the premier mixed-use business and civic center in the city and its market area. However, the mixture of the 21st century will be different than that of the mid 20th century and that of the 19th century. It must, nevertheless, emphasize interrelationships between uses that are not only compatible, but exhibit synergism, or as others might call it, "the power of cumulative attraction."

The original town was designed in accordance with traditional concepts: a centrally located public square; a grid system of streets and blocks; and an array of highways leading from the square to outlying areas. The railroad was constructed at a later date, bisecting several blocks, and connecting Woodstock to Chicago's Loop. This system continues to serve the City today.

The Downtown Sub-Area Plan is intended to build on existing conditions to help propel Woodstock into the future, while highlighting the valued elements that make it unique today.

Recommendations that directly impact this plan:

1. Downtown approach routes must be direct, well marked, uncongested, and attractive.

2. A new collector-distributor street shouId be developed between McHenry Avenue and Washington Avenue to relieve the pressure on Church Street.

3. The City should remain alert to every opportunity to enhance commuter rail (Metra) service and Pace bus service in the Downtown.

4. limited number of bicycle stalls should be provided with the Woodstock Square area or in nearby parking lots.

5. The area bounded by Washington-Church, Throop, Calhoun, and Jefferson should remain as the pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use business and "cultural" core of Downtown.

6. No single use is more critical to the Square than the Opera House. The City should support efforts to expand supporting activities and facilities on properties west of the principal structure, including a possible rear entrance from Calhoun Street and the City Hall parking lot.

7. A visitor center should be located on or adjacent to the Square.

8. Buildings around the Square should be adapted to provide retail uses and facades facing Washington-Church, Throop, Calhoun, Benton, and Jefferson Streets.

9. The commuter station must remain at its present location to preserve the historic relationship with the Square and to form a focal point between the Square and new development north of the tracks.

10. All streets intersecting the Square should be paved with brick similar to streets around the Square. Historic, pedestrian-oriented lighting fixtures, which now exist on light poles near intersections, should be provided on virtually all light poles around and near the Square. Landscaped planter

Recommendations that indirectly impact this plan:

boxes can be introduced in selected locations on sidewalks around the Square to add color and soften the harshness of concrete.

11. Historic lighting fixtures should also be installed along perimeter streets around the Square area, and banners should be hung from rear building facades.

12. Compatibility and synergism are not as well evidenced as they could be, nor as they need to be for Downtown to compete with other business districts in the future. The primary weakness is that functions located off the Square do not relate as well as they could to functions on the Square. A secondary weakness is that uses of properties near the Opera House do not exhibit the synergism that could and should be achieved.

13. Street trees are recommended to be added where possible on the north side, and that property owners be requested and encouraged to improve the appearance of their buildings and sites.

14. Development in this area should be sensitive to adjacent residential neighborhoods.

15. The commuter rail station must remain at its present location to preserve the historic relationship with the Square and to form a focal point between the Square and new development north of the tracks.

16. In addition to the Park-in-the-Square, several new public open spaces are recommended, including small "gateway" parks at the intersections of McHenry and Madison, Church and Jefferson, Calhoun and Jefferson, and South and Lake.

17. An even more dramatic and historically correct open space is recommended between the commuter rail station and Washington Street. This landscaped open space will restore the visual connection between the rail station and the Square which existed at the turn of the century. It will also provide a hospitable setting for visitors who will arrive by train to shop, be entertained, and/or stay overnight in Downtown.

1. Intersection improvements, including landscaping, are recommended for the intersections of McHenry Avenue, Madison Street, and Mewell Street, and for the intersection of Washington Street and Throop Street.

2. Public off-street parking facilities in the Downtown should be expanded.

3. Ground floor space should be occupied by retail shops of modest size the more the better.

4. Offices, other than those serving walk-in customers, residences, and bed and breakfast inn accommodations should be encouraged on upper floors looking over street level activity.

5. Mid-block pedestrian ways should be upgraded and installed where appropriate to connect blocks.

6. Land use arrangement and density shou Id provide a natural transition from the Square to adjacent residential neighborhoods, based on a grid system of streets.

Key takeaways:

A key objective is to respect the classic land use pattern of Downtown, and to expand the character of the Square to outward encompass a larger area. This

Questions:

plan serves to implement actions that honor the historic nature of the city and square, while making modern updates that best prepare it for the future.

Plan / Document Name: Woodstock Square Streetscape Design Guidelines

Publication Year: 2007

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Recommendations that directly impact this plan:

On June 1, 2004, URS completed the “City of Woodstock Streetscape Manual for Signed Corridors”. The plan addressed signage and streetscape standards for Woodstock on a large scale. The City of Woodstock used this manual as a basis for the upgrades of Main Street and Calhoun Street. Since the manual dealt with a larger scale, staff had difficulty determining how to apply the improvements on a smaller scale to the Square area. Hitchcock Design Group was hired to create a more detailed plan for how the Square area streetscape and improvements should proceed to assist in a more refined application.

1. Square streets - At the heart of Woodstock, the Square Streets have a very high quality of detail and character.

a. Maintain and restore historic architecture and site design.

b. Repair wall around the Square and enhance the surrounding streets.

c. Improve pedestrian access and upgrade streetscape character.

d. Upgrade streets and intersections to identify Square and direct traffic.

e. Unifi ed streetscape elements to transition into Square Streets.

f. Clean up visual obstructions and enhance visual aesthetic of approach.

g. Upgrade existing alleys into pedestrian corridors where applicable.

2. Perimeter Streets - Found along the outskirts of the Square, the Perimeter Streets are important traffic routes. They bring visitors to the Square area as well as direct traffic around it. They are the first point of contact with the Square area.

a. Strategically upgrade intersections to identify Square Access Streets.

b. Create shared refuse areas and buffer alleys for more inviting streets.

c. Upgrade pedestrian access and upgrade streetscape aesthetics.

3. Streetscape - The main objective is to improve the overall environment and encourage visitors to enter the square.

a. Enhancements and improvements build on the existing character and add to the sense of place and excitement.

i. This is achieved through wayfinding details incorporated into the street pattern, unified elements and pacemakers which are complimentary to the historic character, and an escalading level of detail as visitors approach the square.

- Preserve historic features, details and architecture

- Enhance Square Park retaining wall

- Landscaped bump-outs and pavers at crosswalks

- Repeat historic ornamental rail as furnishing feature

- Define walkway zones for consistency throughout square

- Include site furnishings where space allow

4. Streetscape materials

a. Throughout the project, various pieces of coordinated site elements are used to help unify the entire project.

5. Overall

a. Streetscape elements are high quality and highest historic details have been repeated.

Key takeaways:

b. The sidewalks have been organized to promote a more consistent approach and walkable area.

c. Zones are established to provide for a transition area, walkway area, and store frontage area

1. Enhance major access points to help guide users into the square and establish character.

2. Establish streetscape guidelines to create a more consistent, aesthetic, and pedestrian friendly environment.

3. Identify implementation priorities to construct the improvements systematically over time.

Plan / Document Name: Design Review Guidelines for Properties in the City of Woodstock Downtown Business Historic Preservation District

Publication Year: 2011

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Recommendations that indirectly impact this plan:

The following design guidelines are intended to guide design decisions in the City of Woodstock Downtown Business Historic Preservation District and to provide an applicant with an understanding of the historic context for the buildings in the district. As additional properties are added to the district or designated as historic landmarks, or new districts are established these same guidelines will be applied.

It is recognized, however, that each building has its own unique circumstances relating to construction, maintenance, and use which needs to be taken into consideration when reviewing proposed building or site changes.

1. Over the years, streets and sidewalks around the Square have been raised, resulting in changes in storefront entrances. Where a customer may have had to step up a couple stairs to enter a building, a handicapped accessible slope now exists.

Questions:

Plan / Document Name:

Publication Year: 2020

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Recommendations that directly impact this plan:

The Downtown Development Plan is a guide for the future development of Downtown Woodstock. The plan encompasses four planning districts; each with unique characteristics that separate one from another.

Downtown Woodstock truly stands among America’s central business districts as a wonderfully distinctive place. Building upon the legacy of past planning efforts, and with particular emphasis on aligning the community’s vision, the Downtown Woodstock Development Plan formulates a place-based strategy for enhancing the character, heart, diversity and strength of Downtown Woodstock.

1. Develop the civic heart of the community.

a. Downtown Woodstock will be a cultural capital attracting and promoting entrepreneurs.

b. Arts, culture and community events will continue to drive visitors and spending in the community, contributing greatly to the local economy.

c. Woodstock’s downtown will be recognized as one of the top downtowns in the Midwest.

d. With the historic square as the centerpiece of Woodstock, tourism will bring more visitors to the area, making Woodstock one of the state’ s most visited and celebrated places.

• Park in the Square recommendations: Careful management should continue, as has been the case with recent improvements including the entry arches, the stonework on the perimeter wall, and the repair of the soldier memorial. The events schedule would benefit from an improved, permanent sound system throughout the Park in the Square, with possible extensions to the entire downtown district. Multiple formal plans should be developed for the closure of various streets and spaces surrounding the Square at various levels of intensity based on the size of the event. The City should explore the provision of permanent public restroom facilities at key locations, consistent with the quality of the Historic District, to better accommodate festivals and events.

2. Preserve the historic character.

a. Design guidelines will maintain the historic and vibrant architectural integrity of downtown Woodstock. We will create a strong sense of place that is unlike other downtowns.

b. Crosswalks, benches, trees, landscaping and other public infrastructure will contribute to a unique downtown experience.

3. Strengthen the Central Business District.

a. Downtown Woodstock will continue to be a strong walkable environment for residents.

b. Infrastructure for all modes of transportation will improve, making downtown Woodstock mobility and pedestrian friendly.

c. A new, off -street trail will be constructed, leading from IL Route 47 at Country Club Road, through Raintree Park, then northwest

Recommendations that indirectly impact this plan:

Key Takeaways:

Questions:

along the railroad tracks through Sesquicentennial Park and the Woodstock Station site, to Wicker Street

1. Design guidelines will maintain the historic and vibrant architectural integrity of downtown Woodstock. We will create a strong sense of place that is unlike other downtowns.

2. Downtown will experience residential growth.

3. Every new development will be designed to contribute to the strength of the Downtown as a valuable public space.

This plan intends to utilize the downtown as the civic heart of the community, preserve the historic character of Woodstock, and strengthen the CBD. It aims to result in economic development and an enhanced sense of community pride.

Plan / Document Name: City of Woodstock Parks Master Plan 2005

Publication Year: 2006

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Recommendations that directly impact this plan:

One of the principal objectives with the preparation of this formal Master Plan is to establish a process of communication and joint decision making involving the City Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the City staff, current user groups, future user groups, and interested residents. The final product is a planning document to aid in the future development and management of the City's facilities and resources that will serve the needs of all interested groups and the residents of the City of Woodstock within practical fiscal limits.

The Plan is divided into multiple sections beginning with an overview of the current structure of the City's services. Subsequent sections describe current facilities, and the user groups, standards for park and recreational uses, and specific recommendations for improvements.

1. In order to meet the needs and requests of existing park users and organized sports activities, the City should carefully review and evaluate the dedication of neighborhood park sites for the next five years if the dedication will reduce the cash payment from the development.

2. After five years, the City should again assess the need and importance of neighborhood park sites and evaluate the goals for these facilities.

3. The City should, as early as funding allows and as soon as improvements have been made for the expansion of athletic fields and recreational facilities, continue to evaluate and acquire land for neighborhood parks.

4. The City should plan for the development of neighborhood park sites already approved and/or dedicated to the City based on the priorities of park projects and the availability of funds.

5. The City should consider requiring the dedication of park land for a neighborhood park in addition to cash payments with all proposed residential annexations.

6. The City should continue to evaluate new development projects and support the acquisition of public open space and unique landscape areas that supplement and enhance existing open space and landscape areas or that create linkage between such areas.

7. In order to meet the needs and requests of existing park users and organized sports activities, the City should not accept the dedication of open space and/or unique landscape areas for the next five years in lieu of any cash payments

8. The City should annually review the maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing park facilities in order to preserve the existing facilities and to provide continued use by the residents.

9. Maintenance funding and maintenance plans should consider the importance and financial value of preserving existing facilities versus the cost of new construction.

10. In general, funding for the proper and necessary maintenance of existing facilities should be given higher priority than funding for the expansion of park facilities or the construction of new facilities. The City should avoid postponing necessary maintenance and upkeep as a means to fund new improvements.

11. The City should protect existing park sites from the encroachment of conflicting land uses.

12. The City should evaluate and encourage new developments to provide convenient access with an emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle access to existing park sites.

13. The development and improvement of existing park sites and facilities shall generally follow the recommendations contained in Chapter Six. Minor changes to these development plans and concepts should be accommodated, but major changes should be carefully evaluated by the Commission and the City. Care should be taken to avoid overdevelopment of any park site and to also avoid “special request” facilities that do not fall within the goals and objectives of this plan.

14. Since it will generally be more cost effective to improve existing park land, the City should consider the construction of new improvements that increase park facilities prior to the development of similar facilities on new land.

15. Work with the McHenry County Conservation District and neighboring communities to develop connections with their greenway and bike plans.

16. Continue to work with District 200 and Marian Central Catholic High School for the expansion of athletic facilities through the use of the ‘Outdoor Facilities Committee’ which has already been established. The goal will be to plan, fund, and develop additional sport fields through a joint effort.

17. Continue to work with District 200 and Marian Central Catholic High School for the shared used of indoor school facilities by the City for recreation programs and activities. The goal will be to provide the widest range of use possible of existing facilities with the least cost to our common residents.

18. Continue to work with local businesses and private ventures to sponsor joint recreational programs and to encourage private facilities as an option for recreational and sports choices. Wherever possible, the City will encourage the private development and operation of sport and recreational facilities and work with private providers to plan and implement joint activities and programs.

Key Takeaways: This plan provides good strategies for implementation, such as reassessments and regular audits, but does not include funding or partnership sources to help realize these programs. This plan also seems to be constrained in terms of “Big Ideas” and has a focus on maintenance and upkeep of the current system.

Questions:

Plan / Document Name: Engagement Summary

Publication Year: 2023

Summary (50 – 100 words):

Recommendations that directly impact this plan:

This survey summary outlines key takeaways from previous engagement outreach efforts.

A. Recreation Center Survey:

1. Most participants use the Recreation Center daily (46%) and weekly (49%)

2. A majority of participants would not utilize the recreation center with extended hours

3. Interesting to note is that a majority of participants rarely use the pool, sauna, and whirlpool, but aquacise is the fitness class taken by most participants

4. Indoor pool, free weight stations, full size gym, aerobics room, are the most important amenities according to respondents

5. Many open comments about street and sidewalk maintenance

a. Comments regarding poor accessibility

B. Northstar Research and Strategy Discussion

1. Missing amenities:

a. Bike paths and sidewalks

b. Farm to table

c. Larger musical events

d. Professional venues

2. Important to identity:

a. The Square

b. Urban green space

c. Environmental activism

d. Welcoming nature

3. Key takeaways:

a. Downtown Square and events was selected as the greatest asset by a significant number of participants

b. Distinguishing aspects include The Square and its events, preserving history, and the quaint city size

c. Priorities should include beautification (36%) and maintenance (34%)

d. The Opera House (24%) was selected as being more iconic than The Square (19%)

e. Crystal Lake was rated more positively for opportunities than Woodstock

f. Assets to leverage:

• Downtown

• Safety

• Diversity

• Balance of nature

• Arts and culture

g. Challenges to overcome:

• Empty storefronts

• Little advertisement about events

• Limited shopping

Recommendations that indirectly impact this plan:

• Representation beyond the square

• Natural water areas

A. Northstar Research and Strategy Discussion

1. Woodstock is best described as safe, historic, and comfortable/quaint

B. Consumer Awareness and Perception Study (CAP)

1. Woodstock is the most highly known city in McHenry County

2. Woodstock is associated with Groundhog Day, rural/farms, and music festivals

3. Woodstock is not seen as a place good for Gen Z and Young Millenials

Questions:

Appendix B: Park Classifications

Neighborhood Park

1.5-10 acres 1/2 mile radius (10-minute walk)

Neighborhood Parks are relatively small parks located in residential neighborhoods. These parks serve specific neighborhoods and have amenities that reflect those neighborhoods' characteristics and needs. Neighborhood Parks should be welcoming and accessible for children, family groups, small neighborhood gatherings, and senior citizens.

Relatively small parks in residential areas. Mixed large and small amenities-such as open lawns, pavilions, playgrounds, sports courts and fields-provide both active and passive recreation for nearby residents for daily leisure periods. May have wide range of amenities depending on neighborhood needs. Onstreet parking is typically adequate. Should be centrally located within the neighborhood, with safe walking and bicycle access.

Olson Park

Community Park

10-30 acres 1-mile radius (20-minute walk)

Community Parks meet the day-to-day park and recreational needs of Woodstock residents. These parks are a focal point for communitywide activities and group gatherings. They provide facilities that serve a broad audience and balance active and passive recreation needs. Community Parks usually have both day and evening activities and are distributed throughout the city.

Common facilities include Community Centers, large play structures and sports fields, plus restrooms and lighting. Often allow for group activities not feasible nor desirable at the neighborhood level due to noise, lights, traffic, etc. May include paved areas for court games, picnic tables and shelters. Portions of land may include natural areas for outdoor recreation.

Raintree Park

Regional Park

10-50 acres City and broader region Regional Parks serve the entire community, including those in and around Woodstock, with their unique amenities. These parks bring people together at communitywide events and promote tourism and economic development.

Open Space/Green Space

Size varies City and broader region These spaces typically provide environmental benefits, natural scenery, and unique features. They afford a pleasant environment to engage in passive recreation; preserve significant views and wildlife habitat; and provide outdoor and nature-oriented activities for residents and tourists. These lands protect sensitive environmental features such as steep slopes, floodplains and wetlands.

Special Use

Size varies City and broader region Special Use Facilities are parks with recreational facilities that serve specific types of users from across the city and region -- such as soccer and softball teams, disc golf players and skateboarders.

Park amenities, special events and unique landscapes make these parks destinations and attractions. Special features such as stages, waterbodies or historic sites may add to the park's character. Amenity expectations may include restrooms, parking, lighting, concessions, facilities for rental/ reservation, and expression of history, art and culture.

Natural land area with environmentally sensitive habitat and features, and riverfront areas and floodplains and creek corridors. Hennen Conservation Area

Characteristics and amenities vary based on special use purpose.

Emricson Park

Merryman Fields

Appendix C: Organization, Operations and Maintenance Assessment

Organization, Operations and Maintenance Assessment

With limited staff and planning time, the city has a rather disjointed approach to maintaining parks and facilities as well as providing recreation programs, handling special events and operating facilities. The Parks Division operates within the Department of Public Works under the umbrella of Operations The Recreation Department operates under the umbrella of Business Development. Other departments and divisions handle various aspects of providing parks and recreation to the community with Facilities and Fleet Maintenance in Operations and Marketing and Communications in Business Development.

Staffing

Staffing within Parks and Recreation is limited and is divided into a number of areas. These include:

Parks Maintenance - This area has 10.5 full-time staff to maintain the park system.

• 2 full-time staff are assigned to the Square along with 1 seasonal staff for watering.

• Weekend coverage is provided by a staff from Parks and/or Streets.

• Maintenance staff works Monday-Friday. For tournaments full-time staff gets paid overtime for weekend work.

• Staff is responsible for areas outside of parks such as City Hall, Library, medians and various city parking lots.

• Oversees contract work including annual plantings, weeding, snow removal, and portable toilets.

• Forestry moved to Streets in FY 22-23.

Recreation Programs - Has 4 full-time staff that oversees the aquatic center, playground program, sports leagues, swim lessons, special events and all other programs provided by the City.

• Staff manage a number of part-time staff that act as supervisors.

• Staff coordinates with NISRA for providing programming for those with special needs.

• Staff also oversee the local sports organizations that utilize city fields.

Recreation Center – There is 1 full-time staff that is responsible for the operation and management of the recreation center.

• All other staff directly related to the operations are part-time, including on that is responsible for light maintenance and cleaning.

Aquatic Center – There is not a full-time staff that is responsible for the operation and management of the aquatic center.

• All other staff directly related to the operations are seasonal.

Facility Maintenance – Is responsible for the maintenance of all city facilities. There are 2.5 fulltime staff.

• The staff is not responsible for contract cleaning of buildings but do contract HVAC, electrical and other trades.

• Staff time is not charged to other departments, but any maintenance supplies are.

• The division maintains several facilities in separate funds (Aquatic Center, Recreation Center, and Library) Costs are not charged back to these facilities either.

Fleet Maintenance – Is responsible for the maintenance of all city vehicles and equipment. There are 3 full-time staff.

• The staff is responsible for a total of 153 items (vehicles and equipment), 48.5 within the Parks Division and 1 within Recreation. The equipment within the Parks Division is 54% of the overall equipment owned by the City.

• Staff time is not charged to other departments, but any maintenance supplies are.

Marketing and Communications – Is responsible for the development and promotion of information related to services provided by the City of Woodstock. There are 4 full-time staff.

• The staff develops and distributes the City Scene three times per year.

• Social media and website content is coordinated with Parks and Recreation.

Other

• The typical park and recreation department has 8.9 full-time employees per 10,000 residents. For Woodstock, this would equate to 22.8 positions. The positions are generally:

o Parks Operations & Maintenance – 46%

o Recreation – 30%

o Administration – 17%

o Capital/Other – 7%

• A number of community events are held within City parks and coordinated by staff. A budget is identified within the General Fund for services provided to City events without a full-time staff person associated with it.

• Staff lacks an on-going training program.

• There is not a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) on staff and at least one is needed.

• The department’s organizational chart needs to be streamlined and reorganized.

• There is no comprehensive staff manual in place.

• Establishing a succession plan for staff is important. This will provide staffing continuity and help with retention and development.

Operations

Various operational factors are noted in the following section.

Maintenance: The maintenance of parks and facilities is reviewed below.

• The general level of maintenance for facilities and parks needs to be increased to meet community demands and expectations.

• It is recognized that a portion of park maintenance functions are contracted.

• With the Parks Division under Public Works, staff often handles non-park related tasks.

• The city does not have a computerized maintenance management system.

• There is also no maintenance plan or standards in place for parks or facility maintenance as a whole or for individual locations.

• There needs to be a capacity/use analysis completed to determine the acceptable level of use for athletic fields to minimize turf damage.

• All playgrounds in the city need to be on a replacement schedule that ensures that there is a system in place for keeping playgrounds safe and useable.

• Staff opens and closes most parks daily including restrooms. This is a significant undertaking, and it impacts other maintenance tasks.

• Parks lacks an adequate maintenance facility/yard.

• There are strong contracts in place for all contract maintenance and programs.

Budgets: For Parks and Recreation, there are a number of budgets that cover recreation facilities and facilities maintenance, this includes:

General Fund – This is the budget for the recreation department. In addition, facilities, fleet, community events and marketing and communications are within this fund.

Aquatic Center Fund – This is the budget for Woodstock Water Works, and it covers most of the expenses related to the operation

Recreation Center Fund – This budget covers the operations and maintenance of the recreation center.

Parks Fund – This budget covers the operations and maintenance of the parks.

Parks Development Fund – This fund is designated for development and improvement to park facilities and funded through new residential development projects.

Special Recreation Fund – The purpose of this fund is to collect property taxes to provide for programming for those with special needs. Majority of the funds are provided to the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association.

• Taxes account for 55% of the Revenue for Parks and Recreation. General Fund Tax support and dedicated levies typically account for 69%.

• Fees and charges account for 43% of the Revenue for Parks and Recreation, which is greater than the national average of 24.6%. 1

• Salaries (Personnel) accounts for 56% of the expenditures by Parks and Recreation, which is similar to the national average of 55%.

• Operating expense add up to 41% with the remaining 3% for Capital. Nationally, approximately 5% is spend on capital expenditures annually.

• This is not an unusual budget breakout as Recreation is within the General Fund, although Parks typically is as well. Often specific facilities are broken out to track their individual performance which is the case with the Recreation Center and Aquatic Center.

• Considering the amount of activity and events that take place at the Square and Emricson, these parks should be tracked separately, or at least with line items within the Parks budget. This is now considered as a best practice for parks and recreation agencies.

• Recreation revenues within the General Fund are shown as a single category only with no linkage back to the expenditure accounts. The Recreation Department does track revenue and expenses per program however.

• Parks and Recreation should have a 5-year CIP plan that is updated yearly

• Parks has received grant funding to make improvements to ballfields.

• Without significant residential development, funding for park improvements and development will not be available for capital projects through the Park Development Fund.

• There is no fee policy in place and as a result there is no consistency in how fees are charged. However, rental rates for most facilities are set at a level that is generally commensurate with the value of the amenity.

• The department will need to plan for increasing costs, especially for staff. The department will need to pay more to attract and keep staff but also plan for minimum wage increases.

Policies and Procedures: There are minimal operations and management policies and procedures in place for Parks and Recreation. The city itself has policies and procedures that cover human resources (employee manual), purchasing and other management functions but this is the extent of most policies.

• There needs to be standard operating procedures for the department as a whole and also for individual parks and facilities.

• It is critical to have safety and security measures in place for all parks and facilities as well as an emergency action plan.

• A comprehensive athletic field use policy should be developed.

• The department does have a continuity of service plan.

• The department needs to develop a diversity, equity, and inclusion plan (DEI).

• Key performance metrics for parks/facility maintenance and recreation services are included annually in the budget.

Marketing: Parks and Recreation receives a fair amount of support for promoting programs and services.

• The city’s web site is being updated along with overall city branding.

• A marketing strategy or plan for parks and recreation should be in place to guide marketing efforts.

Existing Organization, Operations and Maintenance Concerns:

• While the communication and coordination within the various divisions is adequate, it does lead to differences of priority of resources.

• This is a relatively low level of staffing for current operations of parks and other facilities.

• If the City is going to commit to the development of additional parks and trails, additional staff will be required. In addition, to increase the foothold in tournament play, additional maintenance staff will be required to service the fields on the weekends.

• With the Woodstock Water Works a significant operation, a full-time staff position should be dedicated to the facility in order to recruit, retain and train staff. This would allow current staff to focus their efforts on increasing recreational programming.

• The department has an organizational structure that is not well identified. There is a tremendous amount of coordination that must take place between different divisions to serve residents and users.

• The major area of focus is on the Square and Emricson but there is very little emphasis on recreation programming.

• There is a strong need for a comprehensive maintenance plan.

• A maintenance management system in place for both parks and facilities that would serve as a work order system and an accounting of maintenance by task and amenity would be helpful. Also adding an asset management plan would establish a lifecycle cost assessment for key amenities and assets.

• Operations and maintenance funding is inadequate. Consider contract mowing some of the parks and providing a full-time position to conduct inspections and monitor all contracts for snow removal, mowing, landscape maintenance, spraying herbicides, etc.

• Operational budgets need to better reflect the true costs of providing services and maintaining facilities. There needs to be a greater focus on cost center budgeting practices, specifically for the Square and Emricson.

• While there is recreation software available, all pavilion reservations are only taken in person at the Recreation Center. This function can be moved to on-line requests and approved by staff.

• Formal agreements with user groups (Thunder Football, Girls Softball, Little League, etc.) need to be established.

• The department needs to establish a fee policy to guide fee setting for programs, facility use and rentals, especially for events that take place at the Square. The City incurs expenses related to the event (utilities, portable toilets, road closure, posting flyers, etc.) that are not reimbursed by the host organization.

• There are limited operational policies and procedures to ensure a uniform and consistent approach to providing programs and facilities.

Appendix D: Facilities Assessment

Recreation Facilities Assessment

The City has a number of facilities that can support a variety of recreation services.

Based on metrics from the NRPA and the population (2023 projection), the City could support the following number of facilities:

• Courts (basketball) – 4.0

• Courts (tennis) – 7.0

• Courts (pickleball) – 2.8

• Diamonds (baseball/softball) – 10.1

• Rectangles (football) – 1.4

• Rectangles (soccer) – 10.9

Current Facilities Inventory:

• Courts (basketball) – 7.5

• Courts (tennis) – 7

• Courts (pickleball) – 2

• Diamonds (baseball/softball) – 19

• Rectangles (football) – 2

• Rectangles (soccer) – 7

• 9-hole disc golf course, and a maintenance building.

Athletic Fields

• A.J. Olson Park (115 Greenwood Ave.):

o This park contains a lighted diamond ballfield, a basketball court and 2 tennis courts. The field is only used for practices. The tennis courts are going to be renovated with 1 converted to 2 pickleball courts.

o The lights on the ballfield do not work.

o There are no dugouts or bleachers.

o There is no off-street parking or restrooms.

• Bates Park (1450 N. Seminary Rd.):

o This park contains 6 diamonds (1 lighted) with a batting cage, 2 basketball courts and a restrooms/concession/storage building.

o Fields are primarily used for t-ball and girls softball. 1 field has a grass infield, while the others are dirt.

o Fields have bleachers and uncovered dugouts and a central pavilion.

o Batting cage on site.

o Bathrooms are unlocked by Parks staff in the morning and locked in the evening by Public Works staff at the adjacent water plant.

o Infield material storage on-site.

o Vandalism often occurs at the park.

• Davis Road Park (800 Davis Rd.):

o This park contains 6 soccer fields with fence controlling access to the park and a gravel parking lot. A maintenance/storage building is on-site.

o As the site of an old landfill there is consistent settling and need for surface maintenance with sand.

o Only 3 fields are used at a time to allow for resting and rotation.

o Remote location that has a dumpster for trash.

o Portable toilets are on-site.

o There are no lights.

o Fields are used for games.

• Emricson Park (900 W. South St.):

o This park contains 5 diamonds, 3 rectangles (1 soccer and 2 football), 5 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, a 9-hole disc golf course, and a maintenance building.

o 4 of the 5 diamonds have lights. The fields have bleachers and dugouts (2 covered).

o 2 of the diamonds have grass infields and the other 3 have dirt. There are batting cages at one field and bullpen/warmup area at one field.

o 1 of the 3 rectangle fields has lights (football).

o Parking is near the fields although not adequate in some cases. Accessible routes are not available to all fields.

o Permanent restrooms are not provided but portable toilets are spread throughout the park.

• Merryman Fields (2800 Raffel Rd.):

o This park contains 7 diamonds (no lights) with a maintenance building.

o Primarily used for baseball as all infields have grass.

o Fields have covered dugouts, bleachers, and bullpen/warmup areas.

o User group has a small storage building.

o There is ample parking.

o There are no permanent restrooms.

• Prairie Ridge Drive Park (320 Park Ridge Dr.):

o This park contains 1 diamond (no lights), a basketball court and a tennis court.

o Primarily used for t-ball with dirt infield.

o There are no dugouts or bleachers.

o There is no off-street parking or restroom.

• Other parks with courts

o Banford Road Park – 1 basketball court

o Mary Ann Street Park – 1 basketball court

o McConnell Road Park – 1 basketball court (half) and 1 tennis court

Considerations:

• The facilities are maintained in good condition.

• Entrance or park signage is inconsistent.

• Internal wayfinding signage would be beneficial at Emricson Park.

• Parking should be adequate for the usage and improved surfaces. For diamonds hosting games, the minimum should be 20 spaces per field. For those hosting tournaments, organizers prefer a minimum of 50 per field. For rectangles, the minimum should be 30 spaces, preferably 75.

• While portable toilets are provided at many locations, permanent restrooms should be located at athletic complexes with 4 or more fields.

• A separate, larger maintenance building should be constructed to store equipment and materials at Emricson.

• Fields. The current fields are all natural grass For improved turf quality, irrigation systems should be installed. If the City wishes to maintain, and likely increase, their foothold in the tournament market, moving some fields to synthetic turf would be appropriate.

o Diamonds – develop a maintenance schedule to include turf grass fertilization and aeration, infield top dressing and leveling, lip removal, etc.

o Rectangles – develop a maintenance schedule to include turf grass fertilization and aeration, sand/top dressing, turf repair, etc.

• Additional rectangle fields, specifically soccer, are needed to serve the current and future population.

• Develop a standard for amenities at fields, including bleachers, dugouts, and batting cages.

• Irrigation is inconsistent with athletic fields. Bates Park does not have irrigation. Emricson has irrigation on 2 diamonds (Dream & Sullivan) and soccer fields. Merryman and Davis have irrigation on all fields. A centralized irrigation system could be installed to reduce staff time, schedule watering, monitor systems for leaks, etc.

• Lights should be added to fields to extend season and use.

• User groups have placed advertising signs on field fences on a limited basis. A uniform policy for advertising on field fences should be implemented. Components could include sign materials and size, content of advertisement, removal and cost sharing.

• Accessible routes should be provided to each field.

Indoor Facility

Woodstock Recreation Center (820 Lake Ave.):

The current Woodstock Health, Fitness & Recreation Center is a membership-based facility, that also offers the opportunity for daily admission, and participation in programs sans membership.

The operating hours of the facility are:

• Monday-Friday 5:00A-9:00P

• Saturday-Sunday 7:00A-5:00P

Recreation center amenities include:

• Weight Room

o Machine Weights

o Free Weights

o Cardio Equipment

• Group Fitness/Aerobics

• Play Room

• TRX/Spin Studio

• Racquetball court

• Gymnasium

o Space could be considered a middle-school sized gymnasium.

• 2 Meeting Rooms

• Swimming Pool

o Indoor

4-lane, 20Y lap pool

Hot tub

Sauna

Admission Rates:

• These are reasonable pass rates for the recreation center.

• Typical public facility fee options including options for youth, adults, seniors, and families.

• These admission types include water and land-based group fitness classes, racquetball, supervised playroom and tanning.

• There are day passes, extended visit options (10 punch, temporary and monthly) as well as annual passes. These fee options are greater than normally offered by municipal recreation centers.

• Full members have access to the facility, racquetball courts and supervised playroom. These members must pay for additional services such as group fitness classes and tanning.

• Executive members have access to the facility as well as group fitness classes and tanning.

• There are also corporate and insurance-based passes.

Within the Recreation Center the department offers a number of programs in the following categories:

• Sports

• Fitness

• Aquatics

• Cultural Arts

• Youth

• Special Events

• Teens

Unique characteristics of the recreation center include:

• Opened in 1998 as a private facility, but closed in 2001. City purchased and remodeled/expanded with gymnasium and 2 multipurpose rooms in 2003.

• A Pace Suburban Bus has a bus shop shelter located in the parking lot.

Challenges:

• While the facility is well-maintained, it is starting to show its age. The age and condition has made it difficult to keep up with maintenance and results in impacts on programs. The age also means that some of the spaces themselves are no longer appropriate or have the amenities to support today’s recreation programs.

• The facility is a separate fund with the intent of operating at full cost recovery. Most years the facility is able to achieve this, however labor costs are creating additional stress.

• In general, there is a lack of programmable indoor space.

• The layout of the facility has users walking through program spaces to access different parts of the facility.

• The fitness area has been expanded multiple times and is cramped. This expansion is consistent with the demand for the facility to perform better financially. At this point, there are no opportunities to further expand fitness, without cannibalizing another portion of the facility.

• Racquetball is rarely used.

• There is limited office space and needs to be expanded.

• A conference room should be provided to adequately serve the needs of staff.

• Storage space is limited, and has been added outside including pool chemicals.

• The front desk allows for great control/access to the facility but is challenging to manage the entire facility.

• The gymnasium space is small and does not have appropriate storage.

• The pool is not the proper size for lap swimming and is shallow. The temperature is kept warm to accommodate water fitness and exercise. It has limited recreational value. Mechanical equipment is cramped and does not have proper ventilation.

Considerations:

• The facility is focused on fitness but provides recreational programming and rental opportunities for the community.

• Programs and services must be balanced with the need for drop-in use of the center by pass holders and residents.

• Traditional fitness programming is provided, however, the center does not offer personal training.

• Recreation Center staff has additional responsibilities for programs and special events. Roles and responsibilities are not specifically outlined for each position.

• Establishing an overall staffing philosophy is important. This should be tied to levels of service for the facility as well as for recreation programs. This should cover center staffing requirements to open the facility, ratios of staff to participants, requirements for full-time staff presence, and the appropriate role and authority of part-time staff.

• The Recreation Center has identified goals and objectives each year through the Annual Budget. Performance indicators are tracked annually.

• Staff receives feedback from members through surveys.

• A fee policy should be in place to guide budgeting and fee setting for programs and membership.

• The number and variety of membership types should be reviewed and simplified.

• An asset management plan should be developed along with a capital equipment plan.

Based on metrics from the NRPA and the population (2023 projection) the City could support the following number of facilities:

• Recreation Center 1.0

• Community Center 1.0

• Senior Center 0.8

B*K would recommend the City maintain the existing facilities, and consider how the spaces are utilized.

Woodstock Water Works (1313 Kishwaukee Valley Rd.):

The season for the outdoor aquatic center is Memorial Day through the middle of August. The operating hours of the facility are:

• Monday-Friday 1:00-6:00P

• Saturday-Sunday 12:00-7:00P

Aquatic center amenities include:

• Lockerroom

• Concession stand contracted by Napoli Pizza

• Zero Depth Pool

o Mushroom

o Dumping buckets

o Play structure

o Totslide

o Slide tower with 2 water slides

• Sand Play Area

• Wading Pool

• Competition/Lap Pool

o 8-lane 25 yards

o 1-meter diving board

o 3-meter diving board

The aquatic center is located in Emricson Park on the southwest side of town. The facility is wellutilized by residents and non-residents.

Challenges:

• Woodstock Water Works was constructed in 2001. While the facility continues to be in good condition, no new significant improvements have been made to generate additional revenue.

• A full-time staff position has responsibility of the facility along with other duties throughout the year. The day to day operations are provided by seasonal pool supervisors.

• Along with many other communities across the country, lifeguard staffing has become a greater challenge.

• The facility is a separate fund with the intent of operating at full cost recovery.

Considerations:

• The facility is well-run and managed.

• American Red Cross is utilized for Lifeguard Certifications and Water safety Instructors.

• Woodstock Water Works has identified goals and objectives each year through the Annual Budget. Performance indicators are tracked annually.

• The facility serves as a regional aquatic center as there are limited pools in the area, especially to the west.

• The bulk of attendance and use is from drop-in participation. Consistent efforts have been made to increase programs and special events.

• Continue to work with the City’s marketing team to promote the facility, programs and services.

• Fees should be reviewed on an annual basis and adjusted to maintain the financial goal.

• An asset management plan should be developed along with a capital equipment plan.

Based on metrics from the NRPA and the population (2023 projection) the City could support the following number of facilities:

• Aquatic Center 0.8

Appendix E: Program Assessment

Recreation Programs Assessment

The Woodstock Recreation Department has programming available to the community.

• Programs, activities and special events primarily take place at the Recreation Center and City facilities with a portion offered at private facilities.

• Almost all programs listed in the Department’s program guide have fees associated with them. At the same time the fees fluctuate by program and instructor/program intensity. It is also important to note that the associated fees appear to be market-based to facilitate high levels of participation.

o Programs with fees have a resident and non-resident rate. The application of fees resident v. non-resident is standard within the industry.

o Discounts are provided for early registration.

• All programs that have a fee require registration. The registration process can be completed online and at the Recreation Center. Again, having the option of registering both online and in person is within industry standards.

• Much of the programming efforts are on youth.

• The department utilizes RecTrac as their recreation software program.

Recreation Program Participation

The chart below summarizes participation in recreation activities over the past 2 years.

Program Delivery

The Department currently uses multiple models to deliver programs to the community. The primary models can be described as follows:

• Staff Run. These programs are offered by the Department and are run by staff, both fulltime and part-time, and can take place on a seasonal or annual basis.

o Benefit. The Department has maximum control over the program, its content, and the instructors. They can also maximize revenue generation.

o Challenges. The Department is responsible for managing and maintaining the staff.

o Examples: learn to swim, playground program, etc.

• Third Party. These programs may or may not appear in the Department’s seasonal program brochure but are run by a third-party contractor. These instructors are paid on a contract basis and there is typically a revenue split between the contractor and the Department.

o Benefit. Using contract instructors/programmers allows the Department to pivot as trends shift. It also means that the Department does not have to hire additional part-time staff.

o Challenges. The biggest challenge is managing the contract as to how the program is run will be a reflection on the Department.

o Examples: gymnastics, horseback riding, golf, etc.

• Rental. These programs may or may not appear in the Department’s seasonal program brochure and are run by an outside group that is renting facility space from the Department.

o Benefit. The Department is only renting the space, there is minimal staff time required, and it is transactional in nature.

o Challenges. The programs taking place during the rentals can be associated with the Department which can cause challenges if not done properly.

It is important to note that the program delivery model does not impact whether a program is a core service.

General Program Categories

The following is a listing of general program categories where programs are often offered by a full-service parks and recreation agencies. It is unusual for an agency to directly offer programs in all of these areas, but there are usually either agreements with other providers for some of these activities or a referral to them.

Area

Aquatics

Cultural Arts

Education

Fitness/Wellness

General Interest

Outdoor Recreation

Self-Directed

Seniors/Older Adults

Social Services

Special Events

Special Needs

Sports

Teens

Youth

General Description

Learn to swim classes, aqua exercise classes, competitive swimming/diving.

Performing arts classes, visual arts classes, music/video production and arts events.

Language programs, tutoring, science (STEM) classes, computer, and financial planning.

Group fitness classes, personal training, education, and nutrition.

Personal development classes.

Environmental education, hiking, camping, kayaking, and other activities.

This includes the opportunities for individuals to recreate on their own.

Programs and services that are dedicated to serving the needs of seniors.

This can include nutrition and feeding programs, job training, life skills training, and other activities such as health screenings.

City wide special events that are conducted throughout the year.

Programs for the physically and mentally impaired. Also, inclusion programs.

Youth and adult team and individual sports. Also includes adventure/non-traditional sports.

Programs and services that are focused on serving the needs of teens.

Before and after school programs, summer/school break camps, and preschool.

City Recreation Program Determinants: Based on the programs listed above, the following are general classifications of programs by degree of emphasis.

High Program Area

Aquatics

Fitness/Wellness

Medium Program Area Limited Program Area

Self-Directed Cultural Arts

Sports Education

Special Events Youth Programs General Interest

Special Needs Outdoor Recreation

Seniors/Older Adults

Social Services Teens

Programs Offered by Other Organizations

Beyond city programs, recreation programs that are provided by other organizations in the community that have a relationship with the Recreation Department, or the city include:

• McHenry County Conservation District

• Dorr Township

• Woodstock Opera House

• Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA)

• Marian Central Football

• Woodstock Thunder Football (Flag & Tackle)

• St. Mary’s Fighting Irish Football (Flag & Tackle)

• Woodstock Thunder Cheer

• Woodstock Dolphins Swim Team

• Woodstock Hoops Feeder Basketball

• Woodstock North Jr. Thunder

• Travel Girl’s Basketball

• Woodstock United Soccer Association

• Woodstock Cyclones Wrestling Club

• Woodstock Square Dance Club

• Woodstock Girls Softball

• Sportscity Heatwave

• Woodstock Little League

• Woodstock Challenger League

• Heat Travel Baseball

• Rawlings Tiger Baseball/Softball

• Adult Men’s Baseball

There are also travel youth sports teams that utilize city fields for their practices as well as other youth sports organizations that rent fields.

Program Opportunities: When the recreation services that the city and the other organizations are providing are analyzed, only a few of the general program areas are not being covered.

Program Areas City Other Organizations

Aquatics

Cultural Arts

Education

Fitness/Wellness

General Interest

Outdoor Recreation

Self-Directed

Seniors/Older Adults

Social Services

Special Events

Special Needs

Sports

Teens

Youth

For the program areas that the city or organizations are not providing, the community has to be reliant on other agencies or private providers in the area for these services.

Recreation Programming Summary:

• There are limited recreation programs being offered by the city. Even when the programs being offered by other organizations in the community are included, there are a few program areas that are not being covered.

• With limited staffing and program space, the focus area of programs is Aquatics, Fitness and Sports. A high percentage of programs are provide by contractors.

• No program plan is in place to guide the delivery of services by the city and other organizations and ensure that the needs of the community are being met in all program areas.

• There is not a fee policy in place to guide fee setting for internal programs and facility use.

• There are no existing program metrics that detail the number of people being served by inhouse programs or ones offered by contract providers.

• There is not a comprehensive athletic field use policy.

• There are program opportunities that seem to be missing in a number of areas. These include:

o General Interest

o Seniors/Older Adults

o Teens

Appendix F: NEAR Assessment

Landscape Architecture Planning

Urban Design Strategic Services

Environmental Graphic Design

125 South Clark Street Suite 660 Chicago, Illinois 60603

312.360.1736

designworkshop.com

Introduction

Woodstock NEAR Data Analysis

To: City of Woodstock Staff

From: Design Workshop

Date: December 1, 2023

Project Name: Woodstock Parks Master Plan

Subject: NEAR Data Analysis

This memorandum describes the NEAR Data analysis. NEAR is a provider of mobility data that can help assess historical visitation patterns for individual sites in addition to systems of sites based on aggregate location data from cell phones. These analyses include visitors from 7 months up to 12 months. The time captured was strategically selected to capture all seasons and high-traffic holidays.

As you review this analysis, please note the limitations of, and considerations for, NEAR data. NEAR uses data that comes from cellphone users. Therefore, data does not accurately represent park users without cellphones, such as those under a certain age or visitors who cannot financially obtain one. NEAR data should also be reviewed alongside the number of park users (See Analysis #1). Parks with higher annual visitors, such as Emricson and Park in the square, likely have visitors that vary more in demographics. However, parks such as Apple Creek Park, that are tucked away in neighborhoods, are likely utilized by residents surrounding it and therefore, vary less in demographics such as income and age. Lastly, NEAR data represents the park visitors, not the residents living around the parks. The park users may reflect a different story than that of the surrounding residents.

Key Considerations

1. Visitor Count by Park – Visitor Counts can be assessed to reveal low counts and understand how amenities are, or are not, being utilized.

2. Park Visitor Demographics – Park spaces should be tailored to reflect the demographics of its users. This includes assessing a visitors age, race, and income. Taking into account visitor demographics will ensure that spaces are welcoming, enriching, and accessible to everyone, fostering a more connected and vibrant society.

3. Visitor Evening Locations (Park in the Square) – Identifying where park users are coming from can be used to attract more visitors and keep them in the area. This information can be used to assess what Woodstock’s system has, or could have, that adjacent systems do not.

Analysis

1. Visitor Count by Park: Park Visitation | Flourish Visitor County by Park is split up based on unique and overall visitors. Overall visitors refers to every person who visited a park within a time frame, while unique visitors refers to a distinct park visitor. For instance, if one person visits Merryman Park 5 times, it will be counted as 5 visitors, but one unique visitor. According to NEAR, Emricson park, Raintree Park, and Park in the Square are the most visited parks. This may be a correlation to their location in the middle of Woodstock, as well as their high levels of activation. Both Emricson Park and Park in the Square have events throughout the year, attracting both residents and visitors. Another site that captured a large amount of visitors in relation to other parks is Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation. Because this area is untouched nature and is not activated with events to draw people to it, the high visitor count may speak to the value of open, natural areas. Similarly, Raintree Park is going through rewildling and becoming a meadow and therefore currently has no amenities though does have a cement pad and a bench. Parks that have the lowest number of visitors are also important to

consider. It is necessary to ask why visitor counts are low and to understand if these facilities are being underutilized. A way to answer this may be to review other assessments in this atlas and identify factors such as poor condition, flood risk, lack of tree canopy, and lack of comfortable and safe access.

2. Overall Park Visitor Demographics: Woodstock Park Visitor Demographics | Flourish

In general, park visitors throughout the entire system are reflective of the overall demographics in the city with two exceptions One exception is the median household income of park visitors which is $10,132 over Woodstock’s median household income. Another exception is in the percentage of Hispanic users which indicates five percent (5%) of Hispanic park visitors (17%) versus the citywide percentage of Hispanic residents (22%). Lastly, the percentage of people visiting parks with high school education (27%) is much lower than the percentage of Woodstock residents with a high school degree in(34%).

3. Visitor Age by Parks: Visitor Age by Park | Flourish

The majority of park visitors are under 18 and most of these visitors have visited Castle Road Park. This is interesting because this reflects that more children are visiting an undeveloped park, rather than parks with amenities such as a playground or courts. On the other hand, Mcconnell Road Park has the highest percentage of visitors over the age of 65. This may be in part due to the passive and active amenities offered here. The park is comprised of both open land for multi-uses, a path that can be utilized by bikers, walkers, and runners, as well as a playground. Mary Ann Street Park has the lowest percentage of visitors under 18 and over 65. This is likely due to the large number and diverse amenities offered there –basketball, open field, and a playground. However, it does see the highest percentage of visitors ages 18-24 and 45-54. This can speak to the importance of this park for young adults and families, given its centralized location in a neighborhood. Examining the age distribution throughout the system has important implications for parks planning; each generation can exhibit differing preferences regarding leisure, entertainment, and recreation. Park designs and offerings can be tailored to, and/or reflective of, the demographics of its users.

4. Visitor Household Income: Visitor Household Income by Park | Flourish

Users with the highest median household income are captured in Apple Creek Park ($100,023.84). Users with the lowest median household income are captured in Castle Road Park ($75,235.47). An important disclaimer when reviewing this data is that there were only 104 users captured at Apple Creek Park. This is the lowest number of visitors seen in all parks throughout the system. This park is also in a newly developed neighborhood. Household income can be utilized to show where financial barriers may exist for recreational use. It can also provide insight on where more strategic effort should be placed on developing amenities and spaces available to all users.

5. Visitor Race by Park: Visitor Race by Park | Flourish

The percentage of visitors by race across every park aligns with all the city’s overall demographic breakdown. The highest percentage of African American visitors, which is significantly higher than the city’s percentage (2%), were captured in Raintree Park (6%). Raintree Park is currently a decommissioned park that has an empty cement pad and is being transformed into a meadow Understanding the race breakdown of park visitors can help to identify any patterns in visitation to ensure that the park is reflective of, and welcoming towards, its users.

6. Visitor Evening Locations: Park in the Square

The Common Evening Location identifies where a device rests in the evening. This location is derived based on where it rests during “non work” hours (6pm – 8am) and weekends. For this reason, this location can be anticipated as where the visitor lives. These locations have been split up by zipcode and Table 1 displays the zipcodes from the highest portion of visitors. Unsurprisingly, a majority of visitors live in Woodstock (37.82%). This is followed by visitors from Crystal Lake (5.48%) and Greenwood (5.36%). Users may be visiting Park in the Square for a variety of reasons. However, because it does not have parklike amenities, such as courts or playgrounds, it is likely that they may be visiting for events. The overall system can leverage adjacent visitors who are already visiting Woodstock by considering what amenities and events can be offered in other city parks that adjacent neighborhoods do not have. For

instance, in addition to Park in the Square events, what can the system offer that Crystal Lake and Greenwood does not have? Considering this will help to both attract and keep visitors from neighboring areas.

Appendix G: Park Inventory

Appendix H: Park in the Square Concepts

Disclaimer: These designs were created in advance of public input and staff/team concluded that this process requires more upfront community input and we are including these solely for historical record and reference.

W VAN BUREN ST

Festoon lighting over cafe dining area

Expanded plaza at Metra station

Integration of art elements as you approach the square

Expand application of clay brick roadway

Festoon lighting on Main and in art alley

Create dining grove and “romance garden”

Potential bandstand relocation, utilize for weddings, open views to Opera House from the north.

Create more usable space around the memorial

Expand application of clay brick roadway

Restore walkways to clay brick pavers

Create gateway elements to expand the threshold to the square on all sides

Convert angled parking to parallel to create space for outdoor dining in select areas where it will

Consider creating an expanded “festival street” on Benton Street to expand event space and create “energy” between the Metra Station and the Square.

Expand application of clay brick roadway

Create new performance structure with integrated AV and restrooms.

Amphitheater / viewing area (accommodates approx. 1,000).

Restore structure, add pop jet water feature, and plaza around Integration of art elements as you approach the square

Convert some lawn to planting to address stormwater

Consider long-term strategy for surface parking lots to maximize parking within one block of the Square.

W VAN BUREN ST

Festoon lighting over cafe dining area

Appendix I: Community Survey Results

Woodstock Parks Master Plan / Page1

WhatisyourrelationshiptoWoodstock? (Selectallthatapply) 944

Iamafull-timeresident

Iamapart timeresident

Ilivein unincorporatedWoodstock

Ivisit Woodstock,but liveelsewhere

Iworkin Woodstock,but liveelsewhere

Ilivein an adjacent community(writein response)

Other(writein response)

WhatisyourrelationshiptoWoodstock? (Selectallthatapply) 944

1-WhatisyourrelationshiptoWoodstock?(Selectallthatapply)-Selected Choice

I am afull-time resident

I am aparttime resident

I live in unincorporated Woodstock

I visitWoodstock, butlive elsewhere

I work in Woodstock, butlive elsewhere

I live in an adjacentcommunity (write in response)

WhatisyourrelationshiptoWoodstock? (Selectallthatapply)

Other (write in response) Too many results, please add afilter

Emricson Park Highlandson the Park

Lindenhurst

1/2 mile

BullValley

WonderLake

crystallake

wonderlake

WonderLake

Wonderlake

Wonderlake

wonderlake

WonderLake

WonderLake

Wonderlake

WonderLake

wonderlake

WonderLake

WonderLake

Wonderlake

Wonderlake

wonderlake

WonderLake

Wonderlake

Wonderlake

Wonderlake

WonderLake

WonderLake

huntley

crystallake

Wonderlake the form iscreated incorrectly - you cannot select more than one radio button,but question #1 saysto Select allthat apply

I spend severalmonthsin AZ in winter I own my home in Woodstock

Grewup here and visit often

I visit Woodstock often but am hopingto move there soon

I live and work in Woodstock

Membersof the Stametsand Conway families,of whom I am aproud member,have lived in Woodstock since the early 1900’s I lived there from 1964 - 1970,and visit often

Mount Prospect

I work in the community

I work in Woodstock and visit often,but live in Huntley

My Hometown

I grewup in Woodstock and visit often!

Formerresident 0 to 45 years

2-HowmanyyearshaveyoulivedinWoodstock?

943

3-Inwhichagerangedoyoufall?

943

Inwhichagerangedoyou fall?

years 45-54 years

55-64 years

4-Whatethnicitygroupbestdescribesyou?Pleasechooseonly one -SelectedChoice

American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian / Pacific Islander Black or African American

/ Caucasian

Multiple ethnicity/ Other (please specify)

Whatethnicitygroupbestdescribes you?Pleasechooseonlyone

American Indian or Alaskan Native

Asian / Pacific Islander

Black or African American

Hispanic

White / Caucasian

Multiple ethnicity/ Other (please specify)

Pleasechooseonlyone 927

Whatethnicitygroupbestdescribesyou? Pleasechooseonlyone:Multipleethnicity/Other(pleasespecify)

Othet

Prefernot to Answer

Prefernot to answer Why doesthismatter?

Irrelevant

Why doesit matterIm just aresident

Na

White American Indian

Polish Mexican

None of yourbusiness

Black and white

White

American

Black/White

Hispanic/Caucasian

Hispanic and Swedish

Hispanic and white

European mix

White/hispanic

White/African American

American

Native/ white/ Hispanic

Hispanic and white

Past areaG

unincorporated Woodstock unincorporated Woodstock

Cant figure map I live nearDean St School

Unincorporated Woodstock

Corn fields,mayor Unincorporated woodstock isstillwoodstock,unlessyou dont want the tax dollarsanymore

Unincorporated Woodstock

Mount prospect

Greenwood

Rose Farm Shannonwood

offkishwaukee @Rosefarm

bullvalley

Unincorporated

BullValley

Wonderlake

Wonderlake

West WonderLake

WonderLake

West Unincorporated

We live off176&timberlane/pleasant valley

Variousfir45 yrs

West of town

Unincorporated

Outside city limits

Unincorporated

Raycraft rd

Outside of areaH

Unincorporated 120/Thompson

RuralWoodstock

Heartland unincorporated

Hartland township

Just outside the West city limits

Off176

Live in WonderLake currently use to live in Woodstock

Bullvalley golf course development

6-WhichofthefollowingWoodstockparksdidyouvisitinthepastyear?(Selectall thatapply)

Applecreek Park

Donato Conservation

Banford Road Park

BatesPark Castle Road DavisRoad

Dick Tracy Way

Emricson Park

Hennen Conservation Area Merryman Fields

Mary Ann Street

McConnell Road

Raintree Park

RydersWoods Prairie Ridge Drive

Silver Creek Park In the Square

Sesquicentennial

Sonatas

A J. Olson

7-BasedonyourexperienceinWoodstock’sparks,arethereanyparksthat youfeelareinpoorcondition?(Selectallthatapply)

7-BasedonyourexperienceinWoodstock’sparks,arethereanyparksthatyoufeel

What,ifanything,preventsyouorothersinyourhouseholdfromutilizing Woodstock’srecreationfacilities,programs,parksornaturallandsmoreoften? (Select upto5biggestreasons) 900

Availability– Amenities and/oractivities that interest mearenot

Condition – Amenities Iwant areavailable,but they’rein poor

Cost – Amenities and/oractivities Iwant requirefees or

Crowding– Parks oractivities Iwant areoffered,but they’retoo

LimitedAccess byWalking/Cycling– Parks oractivities arenot Parking– Not enough nearbyparkingavailable

Timing– Activities orevents arenot offeredat times that are Safety– Don t feelsafeat parks oractivities Information – Not surewhereto findgoodinformation about Offering– Facilities lacktheright equipment/amenities

Accessibility– Not accessibleforpeoplewith disabilities Welcoming– Ido not feelwelcomed Lackof shade Lackof restroomfacilities None– Iuseit without anybarriers

Other(writein response)

What,ifanything,preventsyouorothersinyourhouseholdfromutilizing Woodstock’srecreationfacilities,programs,parksornaturallandsmoreoften? (Select upto5biggestreasons) 900

8-What,ifanything,preventsyouorothersinyourhouseholdfrom utilizingWoodstock’srecreationfacilities,programs,parksornatural landsmoreoften?(Selectupto5biggestreasons)-SelectedChoice

Availability – Amenitiesand/or activitiesthatinterestme are not offered

Condition – AmenitiesI wantare available, butthey’re in poor condition (e g littered, dilapidated, dirty)

Cost– Amenitiesand/or activitiesI wantrequire feesor equipment thatare notaffordable

Crowding– Parksor activitiesI wantare offered, butthey’re too crowded

8-What,ifanything,preventsyouorothersinyourhouseholdfromutilizingWoodstock’s

Limited Accessby Walking/Cycling– Parksor activitiesare noteasy to getto by walking/cycling

Parking– Notenough nearby parkingavailable

Timing– Activitiesor eventsare notoffered attimesthatare convenientfor me

Safety – Don’tfeel safe atparksor activities

Information – Notsure where to find good information aboutparksand activities

Offering– Facilitieslack the rightequipment/amenities

Accessibility – Notaccessible for people with disabilities

Welcoming– I do notfeel welcomed

Lack ofshade

Lack ofrestroom facilities

None – I use itwithoutany barriers

Other (write in response)

Need parkswithout sand Need to use the recycle molded tire

Percentage Count

The roadsgoingto Olsen Park - specifically alongBagley St - are in extremely poorcondition and there are no sidewalks pushingastrollerin the middle of the street while expecting speedingvehiclesto see usand share the road isnot an option forus We need anewroad at the very least Curbsand sidewalkswould be nice also Itsvery strange howthisentire neighborhood hassporadic and disconnected sidewalks

Only visit Emricson Park

Lack of time

Lack of hikingtrails

More benchsto stop and rest would be nice

There are no lightsin oraround the park Therefore it isdangerousto walk through oraround the park at orafterdusk

Bike parking/ routes Shade/tables/water

Lack of picnic tablesin variouslocationsat Emricson

Didnt knowWDST had so many parks

No swings- great forkidswith sensory issues Rundown basketballcourt

I would live to see an offleash shadesdogpark

What happened to park on Dean Street

Ourrec centerisgrossly undersized forourcommunity THere doesn't seem to be any creative thought at the leadership level

Plantlife needsto be maintained

The only reason I dont feelsafe isthe lack of offstreet parking I live in the pondsof BullValkey When drivingto the park with ourgrandson,I have to park alongthe side of anarrow street and unload my younggrandson in the street There isplenty of room alongto add 2-3 offstreet,pullin parkingspots Also the road curvesin thisspot which makesparkingin the street allthe more unsafe Please add 2-3 pullin parkingspots(where there iscurrently grass) to accesson GreenviewDrive

I live elsewhere

Apple Creek Park issmallforthe neighborhood needs It needsaface-lift,more park activitiesand more playground space ,basketballcourt etc The park isonly bigenough for5 kids

Weedstoo thick

The high population of homelessat the typesof parksI enjoy,wooded conservation,seemsto attract bad elements

rippingout allthe tenniscourtsat one time wasavery bad decision

Some playgroundsat Emricson lacked fallclean up ornewmulch so base of playground wasdirt and leaves Kidswould get filthy

Most of the parkshave drinkingfountains,but often they are shut offorbroken

No sidewalksleadingto Olson park,you have to walk in the road-unsafe

FORBID BIKES &Scooters

Loose Dogs

Restrictionson swimmingwith kids

Lack of benchesand picnic tables

Weatherisaginormousfactor,obviously

Streets!!

Appropriate changingfacilitiesforindividualswith specialneeds Lack of sensory appropriate bathrooms

We need dogparksand adoglake

Sidewalksare in need of repairto and from certain parks

The park lacksshade,we need more trees Large trees

Not fun forolderkids

I’ve on pathways

Walkingpathsat Merryman are in terrible and unsafe shape Please fix before someone getshurt

Skate park

I live within walkingdistance to Emricson,and usually just walk there asit’sclosest

Mulch needsreplacing

No skateboardingparks

I dont have any children who would use playground - type parks

toiletsand snowremoval

We have aspecialneedsson who isgettingtoo large forthe equipment but stillenjoysthem

I dont have time

NO LIGHTINGAT EMRICSON PARKAT NIGHT

soccerfields

Soccerfields

First let me say I am acasualdrinker,however,I believe you should be allowed to consume alcoholat apicnic in ourparkswith aminimum fee permit

Foremricson park,make more waterslides��������

Mud everywhere

Lack of picnic tables,grills,horse shoe pitsand clean bathrooms

Bugsin the summer/springtime

DrugparaphernaliaalloverALLparksin town Horrible foryoungchildren to see and find needles

Pet friendly areas

Placesto sit

Picnic tables/ benches

When I checked Condition Im referringto the Rec Center Why cant we build anewfacility that isnot so smalland old My Grandkidsparticipate alot in theirprogramshoweveritsjust not asnice orasbigasI think it could be

BAKETBALLCOURTS

Not many options

I went to many of them with kiddosI took care of duringthe day I have called to report equipment needingrepairto no avail Im hopefulmore fundingwillgo into Maintainingthe parks annually And someone needsto betterplan the placement of benches/trees/slides I have been visitingparksallaround Woodstock forthe past 20 years While I love that we have so many some thingscould really use more thought and def upkeep

Mary Ann isn’t age appropriate forlittle kids The equipment isforbiggerkids which makesno sense cause thisneighborhood hasaton of youngerage kids

Would love apublic splash pad

Rec Centertoo small

Emricson Park isagreat spot to play tenniswith some friends,but yearsago,the court lightswent out &were neverrepaired These are amust forany outdoorcourt

The sand at dick tracy every yearthe beesput theirhomesin sand and there are millionslast yearthey actually put up yellowwarningtape because wasso bad The otherparkswith sand not asbad

I have two Children under3 and it’sachallenge goingto parksby myself when they aren’t enclosed with fences

Cold weather,more adult socialactivities,activesforteenagers

Some of the programshave been poorly organized and managed

No good dogpark The one ee do have isjust aboringfield

Would like more Rec programs/classesoffered forseniors(chairyogaisan example) and more beginnerclasses

No skate orBMXpark The pondsneedsserverly help

Inadequate fishinglocations

Mosquitoes

A splash pad would be an incredible asset to the sonataspark There’sso much open space forit! There’sso many kidsin the neighborhood who would love it and use it Also I have an almost 3 and almost 2 yearold and the sonataspark hasway too many drop offsectionsof the playground Dangerous

The roadsgoingto Olsen Park - specifically alongBagley St and Greenwood St (avery main road through the neighborhood) - are eitherin extremely poorcondition (Bagley) and/or there are no sidewalks(bagley and Greenwood) pushingastrollerin the middle of the street while expectingspeedingvehiclesto see usand share the road isnot an option forus We need anewroad at the very least on Bagley Curbsand sidewalkswould be nice also It’svery strange howthisentire neighborhood hassporadic and disconnected sidewalks Also the sidewalksare in such poorcondition generally speakingrhat it makespushingastrollerquite atask Which isunfortunate when we just want to go foraquick walk ratherthan pack up the carto go to emricson

Plant more treesin the newerparks There needsto be more shade Repairstepsin the Banford Road Park climbinggym that leadso the slide Provide swingsin more parks Include swingsforhandicapped and toddlers

Thisisspecific to BatesPark There isno crosswalk to get across47 to the park Ive witnessed alot of familieshavingto run acrossthe busy road If we had acrosswalk with those flashinglights,it would greatly improve accessto BatesPark I also would love to see more drinkingfountainsthat have the dogbowlfountain at the base

Ourpark isvery smallforoursubdivision that hasdoubled in size No basketballhoops,very smallplay area

Age appropriate and modern equipment are not available They offerthe same extremely basic equipment and beyond 5 yearsof age there isnt much available

Im asingleton without kids Not sp much abarrieraslack of interest

Some areasdon't have nice restroomsavailable With my smallgranddaughter,it would be nice to have anicerfacility that both can fit it (port-a-pottiesare not really made foran adult and achild)

More treesand shade in Emricson and Bateswould be nice

Lack of hikingtrails

I use aswimmingpoolformy exercise and recreation

A croquet field isnot yet available

Cyclingisnot safe around Woodstock primarily due to road-sharingwith aggressive and/orspeedingdrivers Have been harassed by driversbefore The paved path alongRt 14 towards CrystalLake isexcellent howeverit isVERYDIFFICULT to get to it safely

There should be acommunity subsistence garden program at Dick Tracy Park with collaboration with the police station,there’sopen land to create agarden fornearby residentsand police I think aprogram would be great forcitizen and police collaboration and it can be anexusforgrowth in ourcommunity

I would utilize otherparksbut they are outdated and unsafe

We love Banford Park because itsbiggerthan the Sonatas but unfortunately itscondition itspoor It got worse thispast years itsareally fun park since it hasmore stuffto play in The basketballPark itsnice aswell And the table isnice with itsshade unfortunately itsalso in poorcondition We would like to see aPark with atenniscourt specially fortweens

When the kidshave to go to the bathroom we have to drive allthe way home it’sfrustrating Also thispark isn’t very wellforkidswho are disabled when my niece comesovershe can’t go in the wood chipswith herwheelchairso she just hasto sit there and watch the otherkids Also itsavery boringpark My kidsare alwaysaskingto leave and go somewhere else There isnot enough picnic foreverybody to eat there’sone picnic table and that’sit I am disabled there’snot enough benchesto sit at The bigcylindersare around the park by the tree and the benchestwo of them have been missingforfouryearsnowand nobody hasreplaced them it looksso trashy

I wish there were more shade treesin the Sonatasand Sweetwaterparks

Pickleballisneeded

There are not restroomsat allparksornot enough restrooms Conditionsare not great We try to play tennisat the park in ourneighborhood but it isfallingapart

More kidsactivitiesafterparentsworkinghours

The portable restroomsare needed at parks We alwayshave to run home quick to use ourown bathroom and then we dont feellike goingback McConnellpark isbusy enough most daysthat it should have aportable toilet The problem with the citysotherportable toiletsisthat they are not maintained wellin the baseballseason I cannot tellyou howmany times we have had no toilet paperorthe toilet isfull We have been to severalof ourparksoverthe yearswith baseballand that isone that thingthat the city lacks public restroomsor maintained restrooms

Lack of indoorplumbing

More treesand/orsheltersneeded Accessible and safe equipment forallages,specifically very youngchildren

The path to the gazebo isnot accessible asitsgraveland not paved there isastep up into the gazebo without aramp playground isalso not at allaccessible

Almost allWoodstock parkslack shade Most located in neighborhoodsdon't have trees There needsto be succession plantingnowat Emricson Park so that when the large oaks eventually die there willbe treesalready growingto replace them

I think the best thingismaintainingthe parksand keepingthem clean and many don't have wellmaintained sidewalksorbike pathsto ride them,which iskindasad I also think having aspace forpeople to sit,like benchesorpicnic tables(not picnic shelters)

You have nothinggoingon at any smallerparksin the area I grewup aproud citizen of Woodstock and have watched the conditionsof my childhood parksbecome desecrated with litter,activitiesforcommunitiesdiminish in frequency and accessibility,and the most horrible thinghasbeen that YOU turned offthe splash pad at Olson Park I am incredibly offended

Bike parking/ routes

Shade/tables/water Night / eveningcommunity events,example in Olsen park

Theres'sno good parksforbiking

I travelto othertownsfordisc golf courses

I just didn't realize there were so many Very cool I love thistown

I would be interested in adogfriendly (on leash) park that haspaved orgravelwalkingpathsand rest roomsavailable Also trash cans

My commentsare directed to the rec center I would like to join and have had atrialmembership in the past but feelthat the facility isout of date crowded and dirty

Would like accessto working clean restroom facilitiesin addition to port apotties I knowthishasbeen difficult to maintain at Emricson due to vandalism

I am so disappointed that the permanent bathroom facilitiesat Emricson have been padlocked and inaccessible forat least severalyears The port apottiesplaced nearby are not an adequate ordesirable substitute I would support updatingand reopeningthat bathroom building

Lack of bathroom facilities,the portajohnsare not cleaned enough

Tenniscourtsneed resurfacing

More dogfriendly amenities Want adogwaterpark

Sidewalksaround the whole park would be nice,anotherbasketballcourt orsomethingforteenagers,more trees

One majorreason I don’t use the parksisbecause there are not many placesto sit while my children play

The biggest barrierforme isaccessby walking/cycling It would be nice if the city had more bike pathsorwide sidewalksthroughout to help aid accessand connect different parksand neighborhoods

Emricson park isrun down Bathroomsare awfuland lacking Groundsnot kept up Not great to walk the trail

Olson park isclose enough to walk but we neverdo because there’sno way to get there without walkingin the street,somethingIm not willingto do with my younggrandchildren

I just finished visitingGermany,France,Italy Allof these countrieshave more parksforyoungerkidsthan around McHenry county My granddaughterwho isthree hasnowwhere to go she can go to play in the sand (except forthe pooland only if we pay to participate in the summer) We need to do more forthe you g

We need Indoorswimmingpoolthat islarge enough forlap swimming Ourcurrent facility at the recreation centerisatrocious

Sweetwaterpark isno accessible if you have astrolleroraltered ability Massive 3 foot barrierwallon allsidesof park No ramp orstepsin

The rec centerwasshokingto see when we moved to the community I understand buildingrestraints,howeverthe lack of leadership in the department hasbeen shockingly clearfor years Emricson drivingthrough looksgreat,untilyou step on atenniscourt and find lightsnot working,netsheld togetherwithe zip ties They finally cut down the clumpsof mangled treesat the entrance offof dean streetsentrance The first parkinglot by the pond islike drivingon the moon Were hopefulthe newleadership willhave afuture vision to the parksand not just live offof howcoolDream field and the waterworksis!

Walkingpath at Batespark could be completed allthe way around and kept trimmed Thanks!

Most parksyou have to drive to and it ishard to bike in Woodstock

Bateswould benefit from havingacomplete walking/cyclingpath around the perimeterof the park It isnearly complete!

Ryderwoodsfullof homelesspeople

Parksshould have Port-a-potiesnearplayground

1 Weedsand flyingbugsin the sand have been aconcern at Mary Ann Park 2 I would like more swimminglessonsto be offered Asspace fillsup so quickly

It isunsafe to unload children while parkingon GreenviewDrive in the Pondsof BullValley The road isnarrowand curves There isplenty of room to add 2-3 offstreet pullin parking spotsin agrassy area Then smallchildren can safety get out if theircarsand not stand in the street Parkingaccessshould include safe parking Thank you foryourattention to thisissue Also,please add more play equipment forelementary children Ourgrandchildren are gettingolderbut stillwant to go to the McConnellRoad park Please add some equipment for children asthey age into school

The equipment isminimal Most placespartsorbroken inoperable ordestroyed It would be nice to have more equipment with awidervariety so my children don’t get easily bored with it It would also be really nice to have more bathroom options since havinglittle children makesit hard to get to arestroom quickly

Primarily it istoo crowded and not built forallages

Workout areaat rec center,prefersomethingalittle more private from entryway/walkway

Asmentioned the Apple Creek Park istoo smallforthe neighborhood needs Often timesfamilies(mine included) feelthe need to leave when othersshowup because the playground isso limited The park needsan expansion

With youngkidsyou need to worry about ticks,so if the parksand pondscan be trimmed back so they are more accessible forkidsit would be great,especially on Dufield pond area

It would be amazingto be able to bike ride to some of the parkswithout havingto take yourlife into yourown handswith vehiculartraffic

The conditionsand overallcleanlinessof the parkshasseverely gone downhillthe last fewyears Sand condition isyucky and littered,equipment needsapowerwash Maryann Park hashad aSEVEREfly problem the last 3 years!

Woodstock needsaskate park!

Need abike orsidewalk from DakotaRidge subdivision to make it saferto get to parksand downtown

I'm not ashealthy asI have been in the past Heart condition

Havinglived here foralmost 2 years,I would like amap with alegend that explainswhat each park offers It could be free and provided throughout the square fornewand life long citizens

Havingthree youngchildren I look foractivitiesallcan enjoy Lack of nice bathroomsand fallcleanupsat Emricson are an issue Some playgroundsare dirt and leavesinstead of cleaned up mulch

I live only a2 to 3 minute walk from Olson Park,but with the dangerousdrivingand speedsthat happened on Clay Street,I don't feelsafe allowingmy children lock the block overto Olson Park It isanice sized Park,but hasbeen fallingapart overthe years,and the lack of restroom facilities,and safe sidewalksto and from the park make it challengingand even there are no picnic,benches,drinking,fountains,oreven maintained facilitieslike the basketballcourts,which are used quite often even though they are fallingapart

Praire ridge hasno shade at alland could use afence,toddlersrun down the hillleadingto the street and carsspeed constantly on that road

While running Ive visited these parksand found the drinkingfountainsnot working:Merryman Bates Dick Tracy Westwood Prairie Ridge

I would need to walk/cycle down Greenwood Drive to get to Olson Park,and there isaportion of Greenwood without sidewalks It feelsunsafe walkingon the road with howfast some drive in Greenwood

I have ayoungchild that enjoysgoingto the park We find ourselvesdrivingto othertownsto enjoy theirparks(Huntley,Cary) The biggest park in Woodstock,emericson seemsto be littered,especially in the biggerpark areaby the baseballfields We tend to go to that playground in summersince there isshade but there are so many mosquitoesand the bathrooms are in bad shape The lawn isnot wellcared forasthere are alwaysleavesand the equipment isnot cleaned The parksin some of the othertownsmentioned are clean,host many activitiesthat are family friendly,have newerwellkept equipment and seem safer

I have lived in the subdivision (prairie ridge ) since high school back then the park wasalright I rememberplayingthere with my siblingsand friends NowI am in my 30swith atoddler and the park isjust run down We need swings,asplash pad,arepaved tennisand basketballcourt,apowerwash on the playground A gazebo forshade and picnics We could do so much better There are alot of toddlersand youngkidsthat would greatly benefit!

We need to focuson the existingparksand the Maintenance they require every year Allwe here about isthe newproposed parks8-80 and no crack fillingat the tenniscourtsno basketballcourt maintenance and they neverdragthe baseballfield so at least the t-ballershave agood surface to play on Batespark and Olson look great Prairie ridge needssome love

Unable to walk safely because of riderson the brick sidewalksat Woodstock Square

I feellike should be more than it is,it needsssto be biggerand have adogpark

Would love acleanerpark with more to do forbiggerkids Rubberized ground with updated equipment

NA

Work alot so not alot of free time

Out of my way at times

I want to teach my kidsto swim but kidsare only allowed duringfamily time and that availability islimited

The park district should work with Woodstock to develop an adaplan Many sidewalksdon’t meet ADA standards 5’foot sidewalks gentle grade and adacrossingramps Additionally sidewalksormissingin alot of place

I feelthat atown the size of Woodstock would have amuch nicerrecreation centerwith alarge indoorpoolforpeople who enjoy swimmingbecause it islowimpact forpeople who have joint issues I wish the city would have used afewmillion dollarsto build anewrecreation centerthat could be enjoyed by alltax payingresidents,ratherthan pouringmoney into the old courthouse that willforthe most part be used by ourof towners Also I feelthat the maintenance of the parks,weeding,fixingplay equipment etc hasreally gone down hillin the last years I am totally against changingthe Park in the Square,I thought Woodstock issupposed to be about preservingourhistory!!

Asmentioned above,lack of benchesand picnic tablesto enjoy relaxingand eatingalight mealorsnack in the park Thisespecially appliesto the Park in the Square where so many businessesofferlight snacksand treatsyet there isnot place to easily take abreak to enjoy those purchased food items

Prairie Ridge Drisournearest park and could use aswingset Playground isavailable but no swings Also Rec Centerdoesnt seem to be welltaken care of likely in need of an update

I would like to see the men'ssoftballleaguescome back to Woodstock by fixingthe fields Ourfootballfield at Emricson park forthe youth program islackingfacilities Happy to see the tenniscourtsbeingaddressed We could use aturf field in town that people can utilize forathletics

Most parkshave lost many treesand none orfewhave been replace Shade isamajorissue Shade not only in placesto sit,but placesto walk,play,and get to the park are important The square park ismore used than the sidewalk because it hassuch bettershade The triangle park next to the square isneverused partly because there isno shade Gettingto emericson from neighborhoodsaround olsen schoolishorrible No sidewalk orcrosswalk at Jackson and Oakland A narrowpoorly maintained sidewalk to get into the park Allparksare poorly maintained The maintenance schedule ishorrible forallequipment Take the only sand volleyballcourts The netsdont even work asnets The picnic pavilionsare are allbeat up and look horrible Many benchesin parks(like marry ann) are not usable anymore Please take astrongtownsapproach and maintain at ahigh leveleverythingbefore adding anything

Not sure what isavailable

we need askatepark orapump track ormtb skillspark

Well,most the parksare adecent walk away from my location but again,the main contributingfactoron if I'm goingto apark isout of the citieshands,weatherwillalwaysplay akey roll However,in siteslike Donato,somethingcould be done to allowthe trailsto be walked in timesof flooding,particularly in that marshiersection nearthe beginningnorth side entrance

Roadsand sidewalksare in poorcondition leadingto the parksand not walkable areasto get to the park if you cannot drive

People with disabilitiesneed fully accessible bathrooms includingan adult changingtable Equipment needsto be accessible to people with physicaland developmentaldisabilities

We have specialneedschildren and I knowalot of familieschose not to go to certain parksbecause they are not safe asisnext to aroad/busy road not gated ornot safe to use for specialneed children A lot of kidselope so if there isno gate orbarrierthen we won’t go If there isapond nearby we won’t go A lot hasto do with safety and that iswhy alot of familiesstay home instead of usingthe park Which isn’t fairforthe children because they would like to be out and about just like any otherchild

I would like to see accessible playgroundsand recreation with soft place surfacesand plenty of shade

Every park should be fully accessible to personswith and/orwithout physicaldisabilities

Three of my children are autistic and one also hasDown Syndrome It hasbeen difficult to use the parksbecause the facilitiesaren't very accessible to theirabilities

I wish I could loiterin the parksafterdark I would love to have aquiet time in nature by myself at hoursavailable to me,but I understand itssaferthisway

See othercarergory

Dick Tracy park islackingbathroom facilities

Anotherthingthat makesthe localparkssuck isthe people who ride motorized vehicleson the walk/bike paths Electric isstillmotorized

Merryman Field walkingpath isawful You can barely walk on the path orride abike with out trippingorridingoverahump in the patch There isno shade and bathroomsare gross Tons of dogpoop too

Woodstock needsaskatepark and some mountain bikingtrails

I have an autistic son and the recreation department and theiruse of NISRA ishardly available Programswith NISRA are just not offered in Woodstock oroffered at timesthat are just not accessible to children with disabilities Even if you can find aprogram staffisvery unaware of utilizingthe resource orprovidingassistance The staffwillprovide you with aphone numberto callNISRA howeverwhen showingup forthe rare program,the assistance provided to the child isoften akid themselveswho doesnot interact with the child and awkwardly standsaround providingno support The AppleCreek park isdesigned solely fortoddlers The equipment while in okay shape ismeant foryoungchildren and not appropriate forthe age of nearly allthe residentsin the areawho frequent the park The lack of age appropriate opportunitieshaslead to vandalism and bullyingof youngerorspecialneedschildren who try to play in the park space In the very same subdivision the isalarge open lot at the entrance which oursubdivision saysisowned by the city;it would be aperfect place to put in some fenced in basketballcourtsand pickleballcourtsto support the olderchildren in the neighborhood In generalthere isalack of seatingorshade structuresat the parks It'sokay on a coolerorovercast day but in the heat of the summerand fullsun there isno relief from the elements Some shade structure and seatingwould be nice to provide an opportunity to stay longerthan afewminutesat the park We absolutely do not use the recreation centerafterdark,the lack of lightingaround the buildingmakesusfeelvery unsafe,specifically the back of the buildingand side

Respondingto question numberseven allparksneed some TLC

It may not be apark but the Woodstock Recteation centershould be much more affordable/ free to residents

Need more gazebo'sand seatingareas Love the oaksplanted at Merryman but goingto take awhile to provide shade

Sidewalksneed to be repaired around town

The parksneed more restroomsand the portapottiesoften are unclean

It’snot really abarrier,but the trailsin Ryderswoodshave been overgrown and poorly marked/kept

I like to walk and bike and more paved trailswould be appreciated

Nearthe square,parkswith playgroundsare not within walkingdistance so we rarely utilize them If there wasaplayground closerto the square,we would visit frequently Closest is Olson,which isalongwalk,about 40 minutesboth ways Dick Tracy isalso close,but haslittle parkingand isunsafe to walk to

We have alot of parksthat are good forlittle,but fewspotsforolderkids Some of the newerparks,Sweetwaterand sonatashave limited stuffforolderkidsbut I wish theirwasmore Randalloaksisagreat example of aplayground that hasequipment forolderkids

I have a10 yearold son in awheelchair Most if not allparksdo not include any equipment that isaccessible to him in awheelchair

I do t think there isabike path in the entire city It’sthe worst part about livinghere with smallchildren Not many large open parksbesidesemericson

Modern restroom facilitiesare needed Not portajohns

The park closest to my home isnot listed above Olsen Park Otherparksare not within walkingdistance orthere are missingsidewalks Amenitiesare limited - desire more sittingareas, shade landscapingand strolleraccessible areas

We are the only community that seemsto not have bathroomsat theirfacilities PortaPottiesshould be atemporary solution forlike aconcert orotherevent My kidsplay sportsand I actually like it when they have away gamesbecause I knowthere willbe regularrestroom and an actualconcession stand

Nothingforadultsin most parks

Woodstock lackswalking/cyclingaccessibility City isso cardependent Needsto move away from that and have the entire city easily accessible by foot/bike Not enough sidewalks(or interconnected walking/bike paths)

I would use arange of parksalot more if I could walk to them from my home - havingto drive alwaysmakesit feellike achore

Emricson park ismain park isrun down and not maintained well Need to plant treesforfuture Update restrooms Geese issueson paths wash and sweep very busy path! Tarapark needsshade,treesand grassmaintenance,itsmostly weeds

RyderWoodsislittered,lackstrash cans,and doesnot have bathrooms We also found two bloody pillowsthat we felt were disturbing That wasit forournature walksthere The pathsat Emricson are completely unsafe when motorized bikesand go cartsare utilizingthem No motorized vehiclesneedsto be enforced! People urinatingout in the open- signsneed to be placed to reinforce that public urination isprohibited It happensfrequently at Emricson

I think we need more equipment

Parkingislimited foreventsheld in the park in the square There are few,if any picnic tablesin the park Tableswould allowpeople to buy and eat food from surroundingbusinesses

The park isout dated and doesnot promote kidsto want to play on it oroutside It’smore forchildren under4 yearsold and stilllacks

Most of the parkslook pretty good Obviously some are olderand need updatesand I see you are workingon that at Olson

Havingsidewalksorbike pathsthat connect to allparksfrom the neighborhoodswould be nice

Build realbathroomsat Emricson Park

Emricson Park needsnewpermanent restroom facilities

Route 47 doesn't have many crosswalksavailable to be able to ride bikesorwalk safely to the parks

Loadingup bicyclesin avehicle to go to apark in the same town asI live isn't ideal

Theresno basketballcourt,shade,enough seating,and the mulch isold and theresalack of actualthingsto play on

On anice day the Sweetwaterpark ispacked There islittle foranyone olderthan 10 to do there

Basketball,tennis/pickleball,soccer,etc would make it so more people have something to do

It would be nice to have aportable restroom at each location

I noticed that last time I went walkingat Emricson that the pathway isstartingto crack Very dangerousforseniors The park at Prairie Ridge the basket ballcourt isdeteriorated cracked etc with the numberof kidsin thisneighborhood it needsan upgrade

Would be nice to have apoolcloserto McConnellareainstead of havingto go allthe way acrosstown Place to rent kayaksorstand up boardson alake area Somethinglike 3 oaksin cl

It would be nice to have better,longerwalkingpaths I love to walk outside,but am limited to the neighborhood instead of out in nature like Hoffman Park in Cary They even have public gardens OrMoraine Hillsin McHenry The only place I can find in Woodstock isEmricson,and it'sok,but missingnature It'sabusy park,more forsports,picnicsand swimming!

I dont want to use aport-a-potty Also- I would like outdoorpickle ballcourts

Why do large crowd eventshave to be around the Square when we have Emricson Park which hasmore parkingand land available

I often drive to Crystallake to get to betterparkswith more fun and updated equipment formy daughterto climb on The sand isalso very inconvenient and keepsusaway from many parks

Many of the neighborhood parksdo not have any shade and no treeshave been planted to offershade in the future There isvery limited parkingin Emricson park when otherevents are goingon,thisneedsto be expanded greatly Most of the parksare ignored and have been foryearsby the city

I like to run on unpaved trailsto which Woodstock haslimited trails

Forthe past severalyearsI have been partially disabled,usingclutchesand orawheelchair Thishasaffected my use of parksgreatly Thisaside,often when I am in search of apark I am lookingforshade,seating,lotsof space / seatingaway from othersand anice restroom

There are not enough activitiesoffered in the afternoonsforworkingparents

The slide iscrooked!!! The equipment istoo bigand advanced forkidsunder10 The sand isahuge part of not goingthere The overallcondition of the park ispoor!!!

Accessto clean handicap bathrooms,poorcondition of equipment and not handicap accessible

More activitiesforyoungchildren/totsespecially after4:30pm Beingaworkingparent alot of these activitiesare duringthe day when I am at work

We have aspecialneedschild gettingtoo large forthe equipment but stillwantsto play on them

Really wish alot of these parkshad fencesand restroomsforchildren and even foradults I wish the parkswould add swings,and newpaint oreven newerequipment Also,wish there wassome type of splash pad in the neighborhood parksforthe summer Many people cannot afford to go to the poolswith theirchildren and they might not even drive so it would be convenient to have smallsplash padsat different parks

Dccitgorfoyzjffyl

none

they should have areasfordisabilities

EMRICSON PARKIS OPEN AFTER DUSKYET MOST OF THELIGHTS AREBROKEN AND IT IS CREEPYTO WALKMYDOGIN THEDARK

Parksare repetitive there'snot activitiesoffered that can't be done elsewhere

Fix the park stuffand get newstufffor

I think there should be installed bathroomsinstead of portalpotties

Don’t lock the gate at soccerfields

my park nearby issmelly and terrible conditions

A lot of them don’t have bathrooms

Nah It would be nice to have acyclingtrail

Homelessnesspeople

non game use fieldsso kidscan go play soccer!

Most in bad condition orovercrowded

No

No

There are too fewrestroomsand the groundsare not maintained The areaat Merryman walkingto the fieldsii like walkingthrough amine field I feelwe have nice facilities but need to maintain what we have

I waslookingat hostingan 8th grade graduation party at apavilion in emricson We have olderfamily membersthat require wheelchairs&walkers Not allpavilionshave restrooms Not allpavilionshave paved pathsto the pavilions Most of the pavilionsdo not have parkingadjacent to the pavilion The “volleyballcourt” clearly hade not been cared for Frayingnet saggingnet and the sand wasn’t sand anymore It washardened gravel I wasVERYdisappointed in the amenities We ended up rentingapavilion out in union at Lyonspark because the amenitiesthere had actually been thought through &cared for

My kidsare bored of these parks There isnot enough to do,with outdated equipment

Dick Tracy park hsasno shad3 Landscapingalwaysneedsattention City park kidsareasare in need of upgradingexcept forthe one newerplayground but it hasno shade

We enjoy recreationalfishingat emricson but conditionsof the pondscould definitely be improved We also really enjoy the addition of the frisbee golf course

I wish it waseasierto get from Apple Creek to city parks- Dean St ishard to navigate

More rest rooms cleanlinessand they seem undermanaged

I love goingto splash padsin othertowns They also offernewerand biggerplaygrounds They are also free

We dont like usingportapottys

I have atoddlerand ababy we visit Olsen often aswe're close by but it'susually dirty(trash and vandalism) I want to feellike I don't have to worry about what my kidsare gettinginto Theresalso not much shade and itshard to share the space on busy summerdays Were not afamily that requireshandicap assistance but itd be nice forfamiliescloseby that do need those facilitiesto feelwelcome too! Emricson ismy toddlersfavorite and Im glad to hearitsgettingrevamped and we cant wait to see howit turnsout! Would like acloser restroom option forboth parksasI have diapersand potty trainingto dealwith and many in the neighborhoodsdo too!

Bathroomsorportapottiesshould be at EVERYpark We have potty trainingaged kidsthat go most often Bathroomsare amust!! A smallvolleyballcourt at more parkswould be GREAT!! Alwaysbasketball,nothingforgirlssports!

Trailexpansion would be great Hiking MTB

Lack of picnic tablesgrillshorseshoe pitsand clean permanent bathrooms

Time islargest limitingfactor I work two jobsbecause ourproperty taxesare so high it’slike havinganeverendingsecond mortgage Please do not raise ourtaxesaswe may be forced out of the community You need to prioritize expendituresbetter Forexample,the downtown round about wasoverthe top/ anovelty and the recent “rebranding” could have waited or been skipped entirely

The parksare not in good shape,dirty and lack of bathroom facilities

I really think it’sthe lack of information about what isavailable in ourarea I love goingto parkswith my children I knowwe have alot of parksbut I don’t knowwhere half of them are at Love the conservation areastoo but lack of info And ourdogpark(s) are lame and expensive I would like to see an agility park fordogs

The City needsamore robust Recreation Center

The city needsto have more art/sculpture! NOT the awfulcatalogpurchase of abench like to one in front of city hall Workingartistswith aprofessionalresume Woodstock isprime for sculpture in public places!

We preferparks/ nature areasthat are strollerfriendly and fun fortoddlers

Homelessare allowed to be very confrontive to people in Woodstock Uneasy about walkingby myself in many places even shopping

Not enough fieldsavailable to the public

The Rec Centerisvery outdated The lockersare rusted limited facilitiesin the lockerrooms

Ryder'swoodsisoverrun by invasive species The pond should be agood fishingspot but it isnot The trailscould be widerwith an aggregate gravelbase We alwaysget tickswalking through there Widertrailsand clearingout the invasive specieswillhelp Bat housesand ahealthy pond willhelp with mosquitoes If allthat happens,I fishingpierwould be nice Then it would be amuch betterplace to take the kidsand dog

Otherparksin nearby townshave betteramenitiesand play equipment

I absolutely love walkingaround merryman daily and appreciate the port-a-potties however the path on the north end isvery bumpy and broken up and could use repaving It’sdifficult to push astroller/wagon overthat areaBanford isanotherpark we love to walk to The ground getsand staysextremely wet and muddy It would be helpfulto get newwood chipsora different ground coveringto make it easierforkidsto play without waitingforit to dry afterastorm There isalso no bathroom - not adealbreakerbut Id nevercomplain about more restrooms:)

Parkshave bathroomsbut are dirty

N/a

Emricson isnot available yearround The pathwaysneed to be cleared of snowso people can stilluse the park There isalso very limited shade at the play structuresand alot of broken equipment

Safe appropriate parksforchildren of allageswith good equipment to play on

Kidswant to play but you really have no place to be nearthem but sit down

Safety - there are frequently olderteenshangingaround on playground equipment speakinginappropriately forthe kidson the playground amd makingthe playground unwelcomingfor the parentsand children I've experienced thisat Emricson Bamford Sonatas Prairieridge

Equipment iseitherbroken ordamaged Lack of restroomsand lack of parkingat certain parkswhich causesovercrowdsat betterequipped parks

1 At Olson Park,there are stadium light fixturesto illuminate the fieldsat night,but they dont appearto work 2 None of the parksofferice skating/hockey in the wintermonths,orif they do then I wasnot able to locate that information online orin any published material 3 Im not sure where rollerskating/rollerhockey would be permitted

We need more disc golf courses! The one in Emricson isgreat The tee padsneed some upgradingthough

Family accessible bathroomsisthe main reason I walk to Emrickson from my house with adouble stroller&in orderforme to use the restroom k need to be able to bringmy strollerin with me Only ahandicap portapotty willfit usbut it would be nice foran actualfamily bathroom with achangingstation forparentswith little kids Nobody wantsto change diapersout in the open park

Merryman Fieldswalkingpath needsrepavingbehind the ballfields

Some parksare very smalland do not offerenough parkingorrestrooms Otherthan sittingorlight walkingsome parksdon’t have much to do orsee

The sport fields/pathslike soccer basketball tennis running and cyclingare not regularly maintained asthey should In caseslike the soccerfields Maintenance isun excitant besides grasscutting

The recreation centerdoesnot offerenough swim classesand doesnot offerany gymnasticson site There are not enough classesforyoungchilfren on eveningsand weekends The only classesare duringthe work day

I have no interest in parkswith playgrounds,since I am not achild orhave children

Entire park equipment ispeelingpaint and rust

AJ Olson’spickleballcourt iscracked Please repair

There isonly 1 sidewalk (on the Clay St Side) available on the 4 sided park at AJ Olson The rest isbroken road,no curbson two sides,and 4 parkingspots The fountain in the summer isrepaired but not allowed to be on because of waterreatrictions yet the city watersblldiamondsand plantson the square etc That fountain isacoolingattraction forthe familieswho cant get to norafford admission at the city pool The basketballcourt isamessand hassbeen foryears It needsto be resurfaces So many different groupsstilltry to play there The tenniscourt isnowripped up and willbe adualcourt forpickleballbut where willpeople park? Howcan they get strollersto and from park safely with limited sidewalks There are terrible portapottiesthere The balldiamond needsto be tilled and graded more often Many familiesof varioussocio-economic backgroundsof different etnicitieslive in the blocks around that park Please help that park on the forgotten north side of town

There are more baseballfieldsthan softballfieldsand often no availability to use the softballfields

The bathroomsand lack of shade are what preventsusfrom goingmore often orforextended amountsof time

Lazy?

Would love abasketballcourt in Sweetwater!

We need some sort of outdoor24/7 basketballcourt with genuine lights

Unsure of when it’sokay to use certain parks

Ryderswoodsneedsgarbage cansyearround Also there’salwaysdowned treesorbranchesblockingthe pathsand often are there formonths

Playgroundsin bettercondition,nicerrestrooms,orrestroomsaltogether

Well,I work alot

There isno park in Woodstock that istruly accessible forpeople with disabilities That'sahuge drawback

Neighborhood parksin newerdevelopmentsreally need shade options Eithertreesorpavilions

I run ahome Day Care so when you have multiple little oneswith you itsalwaysseemswe need to leave early because someone hasto go to the bathroom

Some of the equipment that isgeared toward youngerkidsare really not easy forthem to use and are terrifyingforparents/adultsto navigate around

Need more shade umbrellasat the poolat Emricson Park The same groupsregularly hogthe fewavailable

We need anewrec centerand afree dogpark

My son isspecialneedsand elopes It would mean the world to usto have more park optionsthat are fenced and include more sensory activities

I live in the condoson Leah Lane I wish there were crosswalksforRt47

Shade would be nice Asforavailability we have lotsof optionsforlittle kiddos but it would be nice to have more activitiesavailable fortween and teens

We would like to play pickleballbut the availability of courtsforthisare very limited I knowthere isgoingto be more added to the tenniscourts,but we were hopingforseveralmore strictly forpickleballasthat isso popular Also,not enough indoorhourswhen people are home from work to play at the rec center Rec centerneedshoursthat are just fornewbie or non competitive playersaswe don't feelwelcome to play by the skilled players Why doesn't the rec centerofferclassesforkidson the weekend aswellasthe sessionsthat are offered duringthe week when parentsare at work? Need aclassfork-5 that would introduce the fundamentalsof severalsportsso kidscan see if they like it (softball,soccer,basketballetc) Not allkidswillwant to be stuck doingatravelingleague astheironly option to learn asport/ orsome parentscan't get them to that bigof acommitment

Mary Ann isn’t age appropriate forlittle kids The equipment isforbiggerkids,which makesno sense cause thisneighborhood hasaton of youngerage kids

SHADE! Please forthe love of god include shade when designinganewpark

No sidewalkson McConnellto get to the park from Dutch Crest

Poolisgettingovercrowded I hope the newsplash pad isnot inside the outdoorpoolareaand isin emericson Park forallto enjoy We also need an adequate indoorpoolwith lap lanesand group and private swim lessonsso we don't have to go to CrystalLake orLITH

Waterclassesvery crowded Need more classes Pooland lockerroom very small Park isalwayscrowded

There are not enough workout classesoffered afterthe middle schoolstartsand before the end of the day I would love to have more WERQ classes,hot yoga,Zumbaand weight orany classesreally offered between those hours (9AM-330)

Olson Park,no restrooms

I don't get to any of the parksthat often but I do enjoy them when I do The park on the Square ismy favorite In the summer I can ride my bike there foranumberof activities

Parkingisat apremium in emrickson on dayswhen footballishappening

Need aplayground such asawooden one like Fort McHenry

A lot of classesare offered only Tuesday and Thursday evenings

It would be nice to have askate park in Woodstock Most municipalitiesofferthisto theirpatrons Also ice skating We used to have ice skatingrinksto use and to play hockey on Why should we have to go to aice house in nearby citiesorothercitiesto do these activities?! Fishing,we have 2 pondsthat have not been taken care of They are silted in and very shallow Howabout stockingit with fish There are grant programsoffered to help with this Last comment,dogparks Enough said we have non to offer

So much of the investment in ourpublic parksseemsto be forprivate orotherwise limited use -- that is,forhigh schoolteams(see:the soccerfieldsat Emricson) orchildrensbaseball leagues I have to assume thisispartly because of the connectionsourcity leadershave to these institutions They dont see thisasabarrierto the public because theyre so enmeshed with these groupsthat they cant imagine anyone resentingit But many of usdo We allpay taxesand wed like to have ausefulpark system thatllserves*all*residentsof the city Of course leaguesshould get to use these amenitiestoo,but they shouldn't be the primary concern of amunicipalpark system

Rec department programsforyoungchildren seem to only care about children who arent in schoolordaycare with theirtimes Not goingto take my kid out of schoolat 10:30 on a Wednesday foraprogram!

Emricson park playground facilitiesare old and broken no safe restrooms

More fun indooractivities

The reason I clicked availability isin regardsto the Rec center- I’d love an expanded/updated Rec center I’d utilize an indoorpoolif there wasmore space/availability aswellasan indoorwalkingtrack and more basketballcourts The indoorgym/courtswe have nowseem to be alwaysused up by workout classesorleagues

The presence of gangmembers,oh we have them even if Woodstock doesn't want to acknowledge that they are there The parksare overflowingwith them and theirviolence

Fun bigparks! I feellike everytown hasthem,even an affordable indooroption would be awesome!

It’saweird feelingto bringkidsto play at Emericson and Westwood on some of the same equipment from 1998 that’sdilapidated and should be torn down Id ratherdrive to Algonquin orHuntley

It isnext to impossible to walk orbike from where I live (Serenity Creek) to any of the parks

More paved pathsforstrollersand bikesand longboards Also more outdooractivity stuffsuch asfrisbee golf coursesand even maybe

Woodstock’sparkslack activitiesfortoddlers Havingparkswith areasdedicated forlittle and bigkidswould be nice

Parksare dirty

Lack of public restroomsat parks the restroomsat Emricson are poor dont exist at Olson park

Need public bathrooms,not portapottiesthat are at timesgross

Lightingisaissue and lack orrestroomsat allparks! We allknowchildren need to go to the bathroom always!

We like to walk to the park and the sidewalksare not accommodatingforwheelchairs Once we get to apark the turf isnot wheelchairfriendly There are no paths

Parksare dirty,at least Olson is Park seemsoutdated

Need betterbasketballcourtsat emricson Addingextracourtswould be great too!

The Recreation Centerneedsto be remodeled It’sin poorcondition and smallforthe amount of people assistingin the afternoons

Sweetwaterpark,needsbasketball,tennis/pickle ballcourts More infant/kid swings DogPark Area DogParkswilladd revenue to parkswith membershipsand able forallfamily to come to parksand visit Skate Parks

I am nervousto walk in the back part of the walkingpath of Emrickson I wish Emrickson wasupdated with betterparksand splash pad I am constantly takingmy kidsto other communitiesto visit/use these type of amenities

We just need more to do in Woodstock and at these parks More eventsforfamilies

Would love to see bikepath on McConnell

Cracked surfaces,worn nets,and it would be nice to have alargerbasketballcourt and pickleball

I have little children we often have to go to the bathroom while playingat the park we end up cuttingit short due to lack of facilities

The rec centerneedsto be renovated It isnot inviting Ridingabike to get placesissuicidal The bike lane on Dean street isnonsense The road isnowtoo narrowforbikesand cars Welldone Woodstock ( said with sarcasm)

The Rec Centershould be expanded It istoo smalland crowded forourcommunity

A betterdogpark with walkingpaths A complete fenced in areaand more fenced in areasforsmallerand largerbreeds Walkingpathswould also be lovely Thisisthe dogpark by my parentsin Bartlett Please click link beloworlook up Bartlett dogpark There isanice trailand the dogshave agreat time! https://wwwgooglecom/search? q=batlett+dog+park&oq=batlett+dog+park&gs lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQABgNGIAEMggIAhAAGBYYHjIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB android-tmus-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF8#trex=m t:lcl akp,rc f:rln,rc ludocids:13054505983931816427,ru gwp:0%252C7,ru lqi:ChFiYXJ0bGV0dCBkb2cgcGFya0jVrrGahLqAgAhaKRAAEAEQAhgAGAEYAiIRYmFydGxldHQgZG9nIH ABAA,trex id:qY5PSc&lpg=cid:CgIgAQ%3D%3D

Lightingneedsto be improved forballfields Lightsneed to be added at bates

There seem to be little to no,orvery inconvenient trash receptaclesavailable whereverwe go Bathroomsare fairly nonexistent aswell,which meansif my little needsto use the restroom we’re goinghome

Transportation/mobility concerns;would preferareaswith more naturalamenities(native plants nature) vsjust grass;Olson park tenniscourt and otherequipment needsrepair

N/A

I’d love to see mosquito spray beingprovided,aswellasbetterportapotty servicesat Batesand Emricson parks They are constantly fulland out of paper,etc

More trailsand bike lanesto trailswould be amazing!

Parksprogramsand eventsorrec eventsare too costly forourfamily to afford sometimes We have high student loansthat take most of ourincome We greatly appreciate the free rec centerdayson the 15th so we can take the kidsswimmingto do somethingfun More eveningtimesforearly childhood programswould also be helpfulasafamily with two working parents Grandparentsdo the childcare and are not in good enough health to take the kidsout duringthe daytime so we rely on eveningtimes(like swimmingafterwork on those free days! ��) We also would like aplayground closerto the square The square isthe closest park to us Olson isnext but isfartoo longof awalk from the square especially in hot summer months Dick Tracy isnearby enough but isnot safely walkable from square and doesnot have adequate parking

Many of the programsoffered are very expensive forthe outcomesyourreceiving Additionally,we looked at rentingthe facilitiesforourkidsbirthday partiesand not only were the days/timesoffered completely unuseful(who hasakidsbirthday party at 6pm on aSunday night),but very cost prohibitive Ourson playsforthe Woodstock Little League and the only time we use Emricson isforgames,they do not enjoy the park asto them it isboring So we go to McHenry orCrystalLake and use the parksthere

Allthe parksaround here are in poorcondition The parksare not welltaken care of and alwaysfeeloutdated and dirty The park one Dean street isacomplete eye sore,especially with that chain linked fence It just looksscary,I wont take my kidsthere even though we live 3 minutesfrom it Very sad

The landscapingand upkeep at the Red Park isnot good to say the least

Like the Rec Center most parkslook dated with maintenance lackingon structures Paths and amenities The rec centerneedsamajorfacelift Thingsare fixed with duct tape The saunahasplywood walls The directorisaslob so I expect everythingelse to be

The parksare in awfulcondition If there issand,there are waspseverywhere No shade No seating Emercson park isthe worst shape,dusty dirt everywhere My kidsare filthy after playing No where to sit None of the equipment hasbeen replaced orfixed in years Most are the same from when I wasachild growingup in Woodstock Eventsat the rec centerhave no parking and are held duringthe day so workingparentscan’t bringtheirchildren

I see the tenniscourtsare underconstruction and hopefully there willbe wind screensand good durable lighting!

We need bigwalking/bikingpathsconnectingallparksto the community

Emericsonpark the pondsneedsserverly needshelp Like amassive dredgingwould help it out Newbuildingsparksand recreation

Olson Park hasvery little to do foradults,aside from the tenniscourts

More amenities- splash pad largerplaygrounds We are Woodstock residents but go to CrystalLake parksasthey have betterofferings

We have traveled to Huntley to use Diecke Park forthe past 2 years Based on itsavailability forsafety to prevent elopement and enough areaof play forallchildren to enjoy

The fishingcommunity isboomingright nowand interest in the sport isevergrowing Woodstock isnot afishingdestination and otherthan Dufield Pond orEmericson,residentsmust venture elsewhere to enjoy thislong-standingpast time Woodstock isapass-through town forotherareafisheriessuch asLake Geneva,the Fox River,CrystalLake,and the Three Oaks Recreation Areaand where those sportsmen and women go,so to doesmuch needed revenue

The playgroundsat Emricson are eitherold &waaaay outdated orthey’re blocked offbc they’re broken &adangerto the public Also Emricson hasmany dead treesthat have been dead and causingdamage &an eyesore forseveralyears A huge areawasrecently cut down &from south st appearstheresafire pit of brush but there are stilldead treesjust waiting to falldown I take it thatswhy woodstock iswaiting? Also tenniscourtshave been updated but no newbasketballcourtsat Olson park? we stopped usingthat park bc my son kept fallingfrom trippingoverthe uneven partsof the basketballcourt Theresalso no sidewalkssurroundingOlson park which meanshandicapped have to maneuverin the street which is dangerous!!!! The north side of rt14 would like askate park,too!

Emericson park bathroomsare alwaysdirty and neverhave toilet paperdoesnot have baby changingstation etc the Castle park isnot safe Otherwise it'sagreat park The dicky Tracy park iswonderfulbut there are no bathroomswhich isvery hard when you have children

We need betterbaseballfieldsand softballfieldsthey have fallen into disrepairand we could use an upgraded youth and high schoolfacilities

Why have CHILDRENS playgroundswithout actualbathrooms I hate havingto drive to CrystalLake (WoodsCreek orveteransacres) just to knowthere willbe an actualbathroom if needed Parentsdont want disgustingport-a-pottiesthat are impossible to fit in with kidsand are disgusting There should be parkswith clean,usable bathroomsin the town I pay taxes for Also lack of shady parksisvery frustrating Emricson isthe only one with decent shade We have hot summersand I dont want my child to be at risk of heat stoke just to play

The tenniscourt at Prairie Ridge isin rough shape really deep cracksin the surface Also would love to see pickle ballcourtsadded somewhere in the city

Applecreek Estatesdoesnot have bicycle orpedestrian pathsavailable to walk/bike into town

The fact that Emricson doesnot have flush toiletsisREALLYterrible

No sand forat least 12years

Physicalhealth andwellbeing(walking,running,biking,exercising)

Other(writein response)

Mentalhealth andwell-being(relaxing,gettingaway,etc)

Playingat playgrounds

Enjoyingnatureorwildlife

Picnics BBQs orothersocialgatherings

Arts andculture(publicart,performances,classes,etc)

Playingsports

Outdoortimewith pets

TherearemanyreasonsthatpeopleuseWoodstock’srecreationalopportunities

935

Therearemanyreasonsthatpeople useWoodstock’srecreational opportuniti

Physical health and wellbeing (walking, running, biking, exercising)

Other (write in response)

Mental health and well-being (relaxing, gettingaway, etc )

Playingatplaygrounds

Enjoyingnature or wildlife

Picnics, BBQsor other social gatherings

Artsand culture (public art, performances, classes, etc )

Playingsports

Outdoor time with pets

Events(community festivals, markets, etc )

Therearemanyreasonsthatpeopleuse Woodstock’srecreationalopportuniti

Physical health and wellbeing(walking, running, biking, exercising)

Other (write in response)

Mental health and well-being(relaxing, gettingaway, etc )

Playingatplaygrounds

Enjoyingnature or wildlife

Picnics, BBQsor other social gatherings

Artsand culture (public art, performances, classes, etc )

Playingsports

Outdoor time with pets

Events(community festivals, markets, etc )

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sparksadequatelysuityourneeds? Whyorwhynot? 877

Yes (Pleasetellus why)

No (Pleasetellus why)

Sometimes (Pleaseexplain whyorwhere)

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sparksadequatelysuityourneeds? Whyorwhynot? 877

11-DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sparksadequatelysuityourneeds?Why orwhynot?-SelectedChoice

Yes(Please tell uswhy)

No (Please tell uswhy)

Sometimes(Please explain why or where)

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sparksadequatelysuityourneeds? Whyorwhynot?

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sparks adequatelysuityourneeds?Whyorwhyn

Yes(Please tell uswhy)

No (Please tell uswhy)

Sometimes(Please explain why or where)

Yesbut Emericson Park needsalandscaping Belvidere City park did such anice job with usingrocksaround the waterareato really make the park areashone

Yesmostly but also no Yeswe have basketballcourtsbut they aren’t beingcared fororreplaced like they should We have asplash pad that may ormay not work? Not sure we pay a ridiculousamount of taxesto live in thiscommunity which we love and enjoy but the amenitiesare no where nearwhat they should be

The parksare alwaysclean there'sgreat walkingtrails,which offeralot of serenity

There isarange of options,although I am not alwayssure where to find information of events

I mainly use them forwalking

Pathsare welltaken care of

ok

We have many parksto sit and play in

well-kept and accessible

There are anumberof parkswith amenitiesthat fit my needs

Great walkingpath in emricson

Nice improvementsto Ericsson Park Keep up the good work

Variety

Open,available,free

Close by and allowsdogs

There are plenty of parksthat are able to meet variousneedsof the community Some may like the festival-socialenvironment while othersenjoy aquiet walk in nature There is diversity and variety here — and it isnt necessary that each park offerit allat the same time

Very nice parksenjoy walkingpaths

Only use Emricson

Easy to access many options

I have limited usage of the parks,by choice My home are provideswildlife settings

Nice bike pathsin Emricson

Great variety in offerings- open space,woods,playgrounds,pool,sledding

The fewtimesthat I get out to the parks,I enjoy them!

Accessibility

Enjoy activitieson the Square and meetingup with friendsat the different parksforkidsto play

Theresavariety of sizesto accommodate avariety of events

They are clean and wellcared for

Thank you formakingWoodstock’sparksapriority They add aquality to each resident’slife

Square isgreat gatheringplace and isfilled with localhistoric buildings

They are wellkept and open formy dog

I am older

Mostly great—would love askate park

They fit my family'srange of needs

Born and raised in Woodstock The square especially and the history of it iswhy people flock here forevents It needsto remain the same way it is!

I enjoy nature and the woods My son lovesthe playgrounds

Have what I’m lookingfor,could be nicerbut have what I’m lookingfor

I live in close proximity to anumberof parksforwalking/biking

The one I have been to wasrelaxingand beautiful

There are many great playgroundsforourkids

Lotsof nice wooded spacesto walk and run Nice square to enjoy concerts

Basketballcourts

We enjoy walkingand spendingtime at the parks Ourgrandchildren enjoy allthe parksthat have play equipment Just wish that thingswere maintained better

Love the festivalsand markets,and walkingpaths

There are avariety of parksused foravariety of purposes We can walk the dogin one park and feelcompletely secluded,orwe can attend an event in anotherpark,and feelasif we are atiny piece of alarge community with otherpeople Woodstock hasagreat variety

The here isapark forevery interest

Lotsof greenery to look at

Most of the time Some of the basketballcourtsand playgroundsare in need of fixing Fallingapart

We are able to find lotsof fun waysto entertain kidsat variousparks

I use parksforwalkingand recreational

It'san absolute joy to hangout in the parkswhetherby myself runningerrands,with my dogs,orwith friends

They provide daily opportunitiesto enjoy the outdoorsespecially with out dogs

Yesforthe most part

Clean,maintained,inviting

Easy to get to

Variety and lotsof green/open space

Usually go forwalks

I think they are quite nice and the programsare sufficient

I enjoy passive recreation

Lotsto choose from

Lovely walkingpath at emricson park

There are alot of them

They have somethingforeveryone

Emission forwalkingisvery good

The parksworked wellwhen ourchildren were smalland through high school Nowwe use more forwalkswith dogsetc and they meet ourneeds

Parksare nice And peaceful Great forwalking

I run in the main park every morningand am happy to see that the ParksDepartment started to shovelthe path

They are what they are

Emricson and RydersWoodsare both beautiful Hennen could be nice but the trailsaren't wellmaintained

Need More benches

Forthe most part they wellkept and convenient to get to

I love the Park in the Square

Wonderfulpark- Emricson and great Square

Yes,walkingtrailat Emricson Park isgreat I appreciate it when the snowisremoved from the path in the winter

Overallourparksare wellkept and offeravariety of optionsforoutdooractivities,some naturalareas(we could use more),play areaoptionsand sportsactivities

Parksare in good spotsforaccess Good start

The parksare suitable foralloccasions It iswhat you make of it

Forthe most part,the parksare good If my localpark doesnt have what I need,Emrickson does

multiple activities;nice facilities

forwalkingand enjoyingnature

My kidsare grown and I mainly use Parkslike Erickson forrelaxing jogging orwalking Attendingpublic gatherings etc

They are plentifuland calming

There are thingsto do forallages

good forwalking

Because they do

I'm not outside much due to extensive environmentalallergiesbut the parksare lovely to drive through/sit and eat lunch at haseverythingim lookingfor

Don't use that often

Merryman,quiet,many beautifulyoungOaks

I enjoy the walkingpathsat Emricson

With the very fewparksim most familiarwith,those already fit my needson theirown It would only be more 'entertaining' to visit the additionalunfamiliarparks

There are many optionsand they are plentiful

great placesto meet othersin the community

public toilets

good condition

Yes

because it isalwayssafe

they are nice and welltaken care of :)

I don't use them much but when I do I am satisfied

Keepspeople active

Because it’sclose to where I live

I cant take my dogforawalk

Itsjust does

I spread alot of time at the parks

It’savailable,nice,and wellkept-ish

Yes I lOVEusingthe parksthroughout the year

Welcoming&clean

A lot of choicesasmy son grewup Nearby optionswhen my grandchildren visit

Most are walkingdistance from the square

Ourhousehold enjoysthe amenitiesthe Woodstock parksoffer

Really dont use them much at all

Alwaysdid forwalksand sittingand enjoyingnature

There are many in Woodstock

The variety of sportsand parkswork wellformy kids

I enjoy them when I can forwalking

Rarely have time free to use any of the parks

variety of size and location

There isneverenough parkingspaceswhen there’smultiple eventsgoingon

Forthe most part yes! I enjoy takingwalksand beingout in nature!

Not many nearby

The parkswe frequent feelsafe and are welltaken care of

They’re good if walkingareasare maintained

Walkingtrailsare wellkept and feelwe’re very fortunate to have such an abundance of trailsin which to enjoy nature

The parkswe frequent are alwaysclean and bringsuch apeacefuland enjoyable experience formy family (marryman and banford)

Nature,walkingpaths,sports

Good variety and numberof parks

I routinely run on the walkingpath at emricson park

good access- lotsof variety in the different parks

I walk out at Emricson Park daily,the asphalt walk around the perimeterisfantastic

I’ve only been to afew,and the suit my needs

Yes,mostly clean and kid friendly

I really just go to emrickson to walk/jog

Free time isthe biggest deterent

Walkingtrails/ fishing

mostly

Wellkept

Many great optionsof parks

The parksare great and wellkept and there’salot of them

Plenty of parks

The parksare generally in good condition and easily accessible

Love the square asis

Yes,but there isalwaysroom forimprovement More activitiesforolderresidents

I like to walk orfind aspot to sit and I alwayscan

We enjoy walkingourdogand lettingourkidsplay at the parks We also utilize the softballfields

Otherthan the juniorfootballfields

Close to my house

Allvery nice

I believe there isavast amount of open space Only need isagood bike path down McConnelRd orasimple connectingpath from McConnellRd to the bike path on 14 vs ridingon MC ConnellRd

At my age,it'sgreat

They are alwaysopen and have plenty of safe space to enjoy!

The parksare in close proximity to where people live They are in good shape generally

I like to walk around the parks Drive my carthere duringlunch and eat there

No need to waste more money

walkingat Emricson

My kidsenjoy spendingtime at the parks

They’re good

There isanice variety While the Square offersthe farmersmarket and events,every otherpark we visit isforrecreation,walks,outdoortime in nature,and spendingtime with family and friends

Enjoy the path through the park

Overallourparksare wellmaintained

With the repairsbeingdone at Emricson,especially the tenniscourts,the atmosphere willbe much more welcoming

Open dawn to dusk

Beautifulparks!

I've nevernot had an issue with the parksin town

I appreciate that Woodstock hasboth naturalareas(woods etc) and facilitieslike playgrounds I really value the park in the Square asacommunity gatheringspot

They are agood placesto spend time and feelsafe,you do not need to necessary spend asignificant amount of time at them,but just passingthrough I am more than comfortable

The parksand rec dept do agreat job keepingfieldscut and clean

They’re there when I need em

But need more bike pathsaround town

There are alot of optionsand different typesof parksand spaces

Overallyes Again bathroomsneed to be cleaned and have baby stationsand dicky Tracy park needsbathrooms

Nice variety and number

I use emricson park allthe time to go forawalk oruse my bike and they have aprettYdecent path

We have to drive farforamore toddlerfriendly park AND asplash pad

Rec Centeristoo smalland needsexpansion and updating

Ourapple creek park isway too smallAnd offersvery little

Asmentioned above - allsuited foravery youngage group,dirty,run down,not modern,no basic bike pathseither

I wish there wasmore protection of the ecosystem so we can live with nature ratherthan against her

They need to be wellkept

Absolutely not Wood chipsdon’t make it accessible forchildren who have disabilitiesorare disabled So only children who get around on their2 feet without help can play it’snot fair

Restrooms

Need more Pickle ballcourts

Need more Place close to downtown to play volleyballand mini golf

Taken care of in spurts- too much credence to alternative lifestyle groups

They are generally not accessible

sometimesdirty and again,Im concerned about lack of maintained sidewalks

They are not maintained properly You took away my childhood dreamsof dancingin the waterfountain at Olson asan adult

Fewreasonsto visit unlesscreatingmy own gathering Not much community happeningsin forexample Olsen Park

hard to get to without acar

Limited parkingat some of these facilitiesand often flooded

Would love dogpark optio

lack of seating,parkingnearby,handicap parking

Poorcondition

Want aplace where dogscan run offleash and play in water

Please callme at and I willbe glad to share my thoughts 815 451-9350

Not updated parks Poorcondition

The closest one to my house isasmallpark with just aplayground,and the schoolplayground areawith basketballcourtscan be occupied,so I have to drive to apark

Compared to Cary and CrystalLake parks,Woodstock isfarbehind

Asstated previously we need an indoorpoolthat could be used forlap swimming

Just tore down park nearme on Dean Street

Need more off-leash areasfordogs

Skateboard park

Need more events

Not enough variety minimalplayground equipment no restrooms

It isclearourtown investsin the bare minimum forourparks We have the basicsand nothingmore No one visitsourparksand come away impressed

No recreationalsoccerfacilities,no sand volleyballcourtswith propernets,tenniscourt netsare bad with bad asphalt and seating,no bike trailsouth of 14 to lead to facilitiessafely by walkingorbike

Lack of running/bikingtrails Smallparksforthe purposes

Active sportsare not really achoice in town

Many membersof woodstock have time and time again asked foraskate,bmx orscooterpark thiswould be aplace where kidswould go to get outside and create community but to no availisit answered

We need askate park

Poorcondition,not many optionsascompared to neighboringcommunities

Betterbathroom facilitiesand accessby sidewalksand bike pathsneeded

Due to the explosion of pickleballand there are nowhere nearenough outside and inside courts

I would like to see apublic dogpark

Sorely lackingin equipment compared to othercommunities,like Huntley crystallake and Cary Would drive my kidsto othertownsbecause the parksare better

Very FewWalkingPaths

We need abike park

They need to be connected by bike lanesand sidewalks

appreciate parksthat are only forwalking/ hiking

Othertownshave more extreme sportsparks

They are poorly taken care of and hard to get to by bike orfoot

Apple Creek Parkshasout date’sequipment and doesnot support the growingneighborhood in which it resides

No,my kidsdont even like going They get bored

disability accessibility

Not suited forspecialneed children

Lookingforward to the accessible park but none of the otherparkshave been accessible formy kidsto really use well

Changingfacilities,adaptive equipment

There are so many with baseballfieldsand the walkingpathsare in disrepair

They are not specialneedsfriendly

Need bike lanesaround the city Very poorplanningin thisarea

Most of the playground equipment available isdated orfallingapart Much of the playground equipment isforyoungerchildren which isfine but there isnothingforchildren who are olderorwant more somethingmore interesting Emricson offersthe best variety,but I wish we had somethinglike Fort McHenry Itsbeautifuland fun forkidsof any age There are also a lack of decent pavilionswith picnic tables,it would be nice to see afire pit available aswell

Pavement in poorcondition and lack of fish in ponds

A lot of the equipment isgeared towardssmallerkids Olderkidsages9,10,11,12,etc stillwant to play and have fun

We do not have aplayground within acomfortable walkingdistance from Train Station/Square where we live

Not inclusive

See answerto number9

Saferpathsto walk and ride bikesto get to the parks

I just walk by

I knowthat Emricson Park isgettingimprovements,itsabout time itsbeen rundown forover10 years The grassisalwaysway to longand lack of bathroomsmake it not anice place to go to

Need more adult activities Pickleball tennis basketball volleyball

There isno finished walkingpath in applecreek estatesand what isthere isin poorcondition

Need rest roomsat emricson and park in the square Need picnic tablesin the park in the square Need sittingareasforwildlife/bird watching

I need more disc golf parks! Also Emricson’scourse could use some newtee pads

Fairly run down,needsupdatingand more optionssuch ascourtsand equipment forallages

again the walkingtrailneedsto be addressed

Only park that hasanythingisemrickson

Localdoesnot mean localto ME!

Emricson Park isseldomly used forathletic activitiesduringthe summermonths An indoorfacility to host socialevents

No they need expansion and betterup keep priority forthe safety of the kidspayingon them

Need more trailsto run on

No bathrooms no shade

They are run down and some unsafe,tapped off,etc

Accessto clean handicap bathroomsand play equipment

More accessibility and more options allowingmore free open play and creativity

They need to add trailsthe are able formotorized be holesto be able to ride in

There isno basketballcourt it isjust aplayground forlittle kids

I don’t go to the park

no because they dont put activesthat usually teensare interested and conditionsare not good

Courtsare in bad conditions

Boringto me just because I like different stuff

Some of them aren’t safe forchildren,theyre old,and there’snot enough courtsorspotsforsports

condition access

They mostly have everythingI enjoy but they are in terrible condition

Asstated earlierin survey

Portapotty bad

Not enough food

Lack/Variety of equipment available

Wood chipsare harsh on toddler’sfeet/can easily get splinters Sand floorsare messy They shouldn’t be rubberfloorslike veteran acresin Crystallake

The above reasonsabout the pavilions The walkingpathsat emricson are adequate but when there isafamily of bikers&afamily of walkers,the pathsdo get alittle narrow

We need kid friendly bathroomsand more excitingplayground equipment

Often not developmentally appropriate playgrounds,no bathrooms

They are rundown,do not offernewequipment,restroomsare absolutely disgusting

I wish there were more naturalareasforchildren to explore

They are not invitingto allages Also,miniortiesseem to dominate park facilities Not aracist comment just feelvery uncomfortable at times

Most of them are smalland no good restrooms

You need bathroom facilitiespoint blank! And maybe

Would be nice to have apark with actualbike trailsformt bikesand fatbikesin the winter

Dirty,old,not welcoming

need more bike paths

Run down and unsafe

Limited picnic sheltersand restrooms

Play equipment issubpar

Equipment broken and not safe

Need more variety

No easy way to accessanythingto go to square oranywhere else We need bike orsidewalksdown Dean street from apple creek estates

Soccerfields/spacesare the most important and they are not currently adequate

Rydershaspotential,city doesnothingto assist with the park reachingitspotential

Some in need up upkeep

Bike routes

Most seem run down,nicerparksin nearby towns

Fix pickleballcourts

Not accessible forthose with wheelchairsorothermobility issues

Ourfavorite parksare fallingapart

Definitely would love to see more splash pads,the parksget so hot in the summerit’snice to have both optionsand the Olson park splash pad isreally pretty sad

Outdated parks People usingdrugsin the park Not many good playgrounds Picnic tablesfallingapart

No accessible playgrounds

We need afootballfield

Need newchairsat waterworks Footballfield at emricson needsimproved

Need more shade at Emricson Park pool

The rec centeristoo small The dogpark ishorrible -- no shade orbenchesand it should be free

Need more marked walkingtrailsthat are wellmaintained

No splash pad

Not enough sessionsoffered at Rec Center Not enough pickleballcourtsoutside and at rec center Need shade at Dick Tracy park Woodstock Waterworksgetstoo crowded it needsto be expanded

No we need more fishingso stops

There isnot enough open bathroom The bathroomsthat are available are very gross They need to be cleaned more often

Need more outdooractivities

Public bathroomsneveravailable;locked;ordestroyed,ornot taken care of and left to crumble

Lack of variety in playground equipment

Needsskatepark

Not enough fishingareas

I have adogand would love forafenced in areato let them offleash I see to use the soccergelbut otherswho haven’t picked up aftertheirdogshave ruined it

Lack of enclosed parks

Footballisso lowon the cityspriority list It isthe great leadership program forboys Wdskssupport compared to othercommunitiesisterribly

Properly located skate park

Stuffisfallingapart (although that isgettingbetter) and too little istruly open to the public

Wish they were betterkept

Run down,not equipped well,bathrooms

Agingfacilities No indoorfacility that wasbuilt/designed forrecreation

Ericson park needsimprovement

PARKS AREOUTDATED

We really need areally awesome playground With lotsof playingopportunities It would be awesome if they would offerhomeschoolingclassesthrough the programsaswell!

A lot of broken concrete and outdated equipment

Old equipment that’sfallingapart

Accessasdescribed above

Not enough options dirty

You seem to be gettingrid of the monkey barsand that isneeded forchild development

Lack of Restroomsand equipment variety

Difficult to navigate in wheelchairs

DogParks Basketball,Tennis/Pickle BallCourts Skate Park

Need more to do at the parks

Stop puttingsand in parks! I want to go to apark not abeach !!!

They are kept up to code forsafety reasons They need to be redone and maintained

Allof the parksare old outdated broken gross

There isnot enough nature wise Emricson basically consistsof one walk/bike trail Tennisisavailable if you can get acourt Baseballfieldsare obviously only used forscheduled games Not much to do

Not enoughroom,to many restiction foraccess,not enough parking,lightingisinadequate,not enough pakringon the north side of town

Needsan improved disc golf area

There isnot much variety and what little programsoffered are very expensive

Not enough shade orwind break formany in my area

They are not wellmaintained and are usually dirty

I have to leave town formountain bikingtrailsorto find aplace with more than acouple milesof trails

They are run down no seating no bathrooms dirty littered and nothingforyoungchildren

They lack quality equipment compared to neighboringmunicipalities We more often use CrystalLake orHuntley parks More to do/betteringofferingsforyouth

Need more yearround walkingopportunitiesand more activitiesforseniors( which I hope willbe addressed by the newplayground)

They are outdated and dirty

They have limited thingsto do foradultswithout children

The parksare dirty not up to par don’t have fun playground equipment

Not accessible foreveryone and some are just so run down ordirty that we go elsewhere

Alongwith addingaplace forfishing,aplace forfirearmsenthusiastswould also be awelcome addition Someplace where residentscan practice theirmarksmanship

We can’t use them when the playgroundsare fallingapart and are of adangerto the kids We also cant use the basketballcourtsbc they have needed to be redone foryearsnow& we’re awfully neglected

Extremely outdated athletic facilities

To my knowledge there isnot asprawlingareatype park

Compare ourparks,which are old and fallingapart to surroundingtowns We are so farbehind them with theirsplash padsand soft turf,that it isn't even funny

Parksneed more restroomsand wateravailable Would love to see more multi use facilitiesand asplash pad open to the public

I enjoy takingmy grandchildren to the parks,but often the playground equipment isbroken

The condition of the pathsin Merriman fieldsisbad

There needsto be more shade more public restrooms and benches bike racks

Emerickson isnice,but otherthan that there isn't any park with adequate,shaded reasonably lengthed trails It would be nice if there were more parkslike RydersWoods,but with longer hikingtrails

I do like to walk the parksduringlunch

More restroom and cyclingopportunities

The parksthat are close to me are convenient and easy to access The othersI'm not sure where they are and if they're bigenough to make my time worth goingthere

Didnt knowallof these parksexisted

Maybe more art orfolk music in the parkswould be nice

It dependson the time of yearand what isbeingoffered

Ourcommunity needsmore smart recyclingreceptaclesand use of solarlightingAnd bicycle lanesand placesto park bicycles(bike racks)

Path at Emricson isgreat;need plenty more outdoorpickleballcourts

Groundsat the parkswe go to are maintained well If we knewmore about Woodstock parkswe might use them more Also if it wassafe to bicycle that would be more incentive to bike to parksasadestination We are currently drivingto Brookfeld forhiking We may check out Hennen

Woodstocksparkshave the basicsbut need to be more appealingto get more use and attract more visitors

Some parksdont offerasmuch asothers,also the slidesdifferfrom each Park,my kidsdont like allof them Ourfavorite isBanford since itsclose to home but I would like to see it update itscondition

Need more rest rooms betterand more walkingpaths

Seem to lack some modern and more varied uses Skateboarding,RC Car/plane/boat,etc

Lookingforplaygroundsand shade trees

We need more bathroom facilities

Walkingtrailsyes,pickleballno

Only some of the parkshasrestrooms

I would like afewmore parksthat have more interestingplayground equipment and restrooms Parkswhere we could stay at allmorningwith friends

Parkslook nice overallbut the city lacksrestroom facilities Orthose facilitiesare often fullin the busy baseballseason When severalgameshappen at ourparksourtoiletswillget full quicker

No where to take dogsto run

Mediocre upkeep of safety and cleanlinessofequupment and lack of shade ortrees/vegetation keep usfrom utilizingthe parksmore

Park equipment seemsto be improvingwith newinstallations,nice offeringof rec activitiesforchildren,not enough sheltersand treesat the smallerparks

I want spacesI can walk I like ve nearEmricson I’m glad I can walk it but there could be so much more offered to people with such anice large space

Needsanotherdisc golf course

Need more info

Pickle ballwillawelcome addition Outdoorclassesin the summerat Emricson would be anice addition

There could be more walkingpaths

Would like betterrestrooms,and more winteractivity

Stillbecomingfamiliarwith them

The parkingand bathroomsare too limited when an event ishappening

don't like the private events

Improved restroom facilitiesat Emricson

I’m not sure what the offeringsare

I would like some of the areasto have more non-paved walkingtrails(Ie crushed gravel) More bike pathsthroughout the city connectingareaswould be nice aswell

Some are very obscure

Emricson okay to walk but could be nicer

Because they allowdogs

Cant play with my olderkidsat sweetwaterpark if I have the baby with us

Perfect example isthe pickleballnetsthey put in at Olson park GReat idea,we appreciated it,howeverthey were damaged almost right away and not maintained Tenniscourts,lights out,massive cracks,fencesovergrown with vines We use most of the parks,howeverthe upkeep and vision seemsto not be there

Could use adogpark

It would be nice to have variety- the frisbee good isagood addition

We need more hikingtrails,bike trailsthat go somewhere,would love another9 holesof frisbee golf

Most of the time

It would be nice if the McConnellpark got some attention and wasupdated forthe kidsin the areaand set picnic tablesaround the walkingpath forfamiliesto utilize duringthe warm months

They suit my kidsneedsnicely I love skateboardingand have been doingit forclose to 25 yearsnowand it would be nice to have agood skatepark closerthan lake Geneva

Lack of swings Not enough fishingareas Scared of homelesspeople at Ryderwoods

I do feellike some of the parkscould use some more shade and some are not in the best condition

Need apark with arubberground / orsplash pad

Bathroomsare limited and extremely overused and dirty Not enough of them

Excited forupdates,otherparkscould use some

I like to play tennisand nowthe courtsare gone at the park closest to me

Some parksneed theirequipment updated and maintained better(wood chips/sand) should be refreshed yearly forthe safety of the kids

Only emericson hasaccessible parts

Trailsthrough nature preserves,farmersmarket,and community sportsare great Playground ishit ormissformy children due to size oraccessibility and crowdinghavent had the pleasure to experience many eventsorany outdoorclassesyet Didn't really knowabout them

Wish there were more walkingpaths

Need more bathrooms

The parksare nice but not allare maintained in the same way

I’d love more walkingareas I wish Emricson wascloser,forexample

Sizesare wonderful cleanlinessislacking

Parkingisthe worst at Batesand Emericson Park when it'sbusy

i just wish there wasmore than JUST playgrounds think about the kidsthat are deemed too old forplaygrounds we need somethingnewand excitingforthose kids somethinglike a skatepark forskateboardsand BMX’ers

the parksare great it'sthe people playingloud music overBluetooth speakersthat isthe problem

Not sure if I have enough information about what isoffered and where to viewit Would love to knowabout walkingtrails

It providesoutdoorspace that we allneed I do wish the parkswere updated with more offeringsaswe frequent LITH and CLparksoften asthey have biggerparksand splash pad options I primarily visit playgroundswith my children

Sometimes I am irritated that Olsen isso poorly maintained and I get FIRST fix it got wasn't forkids but forolderadults- pickleball really? Take care of the kids they are the future

Give them safety engagingplay structures and adecent investment please The little baseballdiamond getsused the park and the playground too - WAAAAYMOREthan the tennis courtswere I feelthat wasapoordecision to begin that BEFOREsendingout thistype of survey forresidentswho actually live nearby and use the park regularly

Not afan of sand at parks Would love those rubbermat type groundsyou see in neighboringtowns

Kidslove them,they are nice forawalk,but you cant rely on them forawaterstop when running

I wish there were more treesto provide naturalshade

Dependingon the activity It would be nice to have avolleyballnet at Olson Park

The eventson the square are family friendly howeverthere should be more seatingoffered and playground equipment forchildren Parkingisalso hard to find duringevents

I feelwhat we have isgreat but could use some good maintenance and fine tuningto the parksand programswe already have

Focuson maintainingcurrent park equipment and courts

Dependsof the amenities

We NEED A DOGPARK

There are many parkswhich offerwalkingand hikingopportunitieswhich isimportant forphysicaland mentalhealth asyou age in place Please continue to develop and maintain these pathsforthe olderpopulation With pickleballbeingthe most played sport by adults ourparksshould provide pickleballcourts too

Would be happy if city would add swingset to Prairie Dr

Emricson park needshelp with facilitiesespecially the footballfacilities

Maintenance impactsuse and availability

The parksI use forwalkingonly I am sure if more eventswere available,I would go more often

we need askatepark

Mostly,but BMXSkate Park would make it Perfect

I feelthat if there wasaextreme sportspark would be complete

While there isalarge variety on dayswhere the weatherisn't perfect it isunlikely that someone would want to walk allthe way to ryderswoodsforexample from the square

Some facilitiesare great forthis,othersneed repair

We love the park in the square when there isentertainment

Some parkslike ridersWoods,the path are not well-maintained and I don’t feelsafe there

I would like more accessible parksand aplace fordogsto play would be appreciated

At timesI do not feelsafe aspeople do not alwayshave theirdogson asecure leash

Like walkingpath

I would like to see more native flowersand plants

Needsdogpark get rid of the Frisbee

I don’t knowwhat allwe have,but othertownshave some coolthingslike skate parks

They are good,but woodstock needsagood skatepark

If I feelthe need to go forawalk and surround myself with nature the parksdo an adequate job I really wish there were away to expand hikingtrails

They do but it would be nice if somehowbike pathsare walkingpathswould connect to otherareasfrom the parks

Parkswith walkingpathsare my #1 pick

Woodstock'snaturalareasare agreat asset The dogwaste bagsand trash receptaclesare helpful Hopefully allthe playgroundsthat have recently been dismantled willbe rebuilt and the previousmaterialsrecycled

Reason stated above When my kidswere youngerI could take them to any playground,nowwe are very specific

Lack of restrooms

Seem to have enough playgroundsand good that emericson isbeingreplaced Not much open fieldsto play

Prairie ridge park softballfield isovergrown and not taken care of

Lack of bathroomsAnd splash pads

Havingsocialanxiety makesit hard to participate in most programs

Facilitiesare nice forwalkingmy dogsin Emricson but lack of awareness/courtesy from othersabout givingspace ischallenging The wakingpath issometimesbordered by treesorareas that flood that makesit hard to allowformore space when passingotherpeople in the park

Parksare clean/well-maintained;wish they were accessible by foot/bike

I like to run and walk at Emricson duringthe wintermonthsand wish the pathswere completely cleared

I dislike the weedsand dead treesplanted at McConnellRd park Should add parkingnearMcConnellRd and Greenviewand make sportsfieldsthere Walkingpath at McConnellRd needsto be taken care of better McConnellrd park equipment needsto be cleaned

There’snot alwaysabathroom and the equipment ispoor

Some parksofferway more

Wish there were more walkingpaths

The walkingtrails/bike pathsin the parksare nice Do not care forthe sprayingof lawn chemicalsand the fertilizerssince it isunsafe formy dogand me to be there,plusdamagingto the native plants

Need more designated bicycle pathsleadingto/ from the parks alongwith bicycle parking( eg racks bicycle garages)

With the size of Emricson,actualrestroomswould be nice

Gratefulforparks,but there isn’t much availability forolderkidsand adultsto play

Most of the parksneed updatingamd cleaning

I love the Rec Center,but wish there were more walkingpathsin nature

I enjoy the nature paths- RyderWoodshassome pathsblocked by fallen trees Emricson hasanice walkingpath

They’re ok,but we often drive to otherparksforbetterplayingequipment and to avoid the sand flooring

Require updatingand improvementsoroverallsafety

The playgroundsin Woodstock are mostly poorcondition

I love the walkingpath at Emricson Oark,but in the winter,the pathsaren’t cleared

Meetseverythingbut specialneedsequipment

I would prefermore nature oriented parkswith hikingopportunities

We love swingsand we hate havingto leave the park just because my daughterhasto use the bathroom there isno where to go but to leave the park When there isaportable bathroom,it isdirty and unsafe

some of them are abit dirty and unconvinient

I believe we should have ago-kart track to race on because why not

SometimesI wannago to the park on ahot day

Hevevsb

They should add sand volleyballcourts

When I go to parksI’m with kidsI babysit but I don’t feelI can let them be themselveswithout close monitoring

I don’t know

MORELIGHTINGIS NEEDED FOR AFTER DARK

When I just feellike goingout with my little sister

Sometimes because I rarely evergo to Woodstock parks

Get rid of portapottiesmake forevertoilets

Some parkshave good equipment and fun thingsto do but alot of otheroneshave old fieldsand equipment that isn’t fun

the kidsat parks(olderkids) sometimesbully the little kids

sometimes

Not enough courts

dependswhere at and what it has

I don’t really go that often but when I do go they alwayshave what I wannado

Nice to use

Some limitingfactors

no sometimesthey’re really dirty

There are thingsthere but not thingsthat can alwaysbe fun

Yeah it very nice

They dont add anythingnewitsbeen the same forthe past years

no where to ride dirt bikes

We need more activities

i feellike the park district need more fieldsforsoccerand orvolleyballcourts

I feelasEmricson Park hastenniscourtsand Woodstock waterworks,the tenniscourtsare great but I feelasthere could be more asIt doesget packed I also feellike that Woodstock waterworkscould be expanded,it hasbeen the same eversince I have been here

Some are run down

Theirisnt enough bathroomsand not enough shade

Alwayslocked

I dont use the parksallthe time,howeverwhen I do use them,they sometimesarent necessarily in good enough condition to use

Sometimesthey can get alittle

There are some partsof the parksthat I enjoy to be at and othersnot so much

A lot of the facilitiesare not maintained to the same levelof otherfacilitiesin othertownsI have visited

When walkingmy dogthey become of use and suit my needs Lack of bathroomsat some of these placesaffectsit

I would like to be able to accessareasby bike but it’sunsafe so I’m not able to

My concern isthe vagrant population in the parks There have been many timeswe felt unsafeamy

too small

Some of the parksare in some sketchy areasand makesme worried to have my kidsplay even supervised!

My daughterand I run throughout the town sometimesrunningthrough severalparks We often run out of space to run and end up runningthrough the streets

Maintainingthem

Olson hasagood playground,but the rest of the park lacksin my opinion More sittingareasforparents/elderly would be nice,an updated waterfeature would be amazing,and some sort of shade(more trees/pavillion/sunsail)

Although my daughterisgettingtoo old forplaygroundswe sometimesgo with familiesthat have youngerkids Havingagood playground where kidsof multiple agesare interested is important

YesI love the parksand trailsthat are available Would be nice if portable orpermanent rest roomswere available Also trailexpansion

I would like to enjoy anice cook out with adult beveragesat at least afewof the largerparks

WellI drive by sunny side park allthe time but have neverstopped because of parking And some of the parksjust need alittle tlc with some of the equipment(banford emricson etc)

Need to save the oaksat Emerson Park

Generally would love to see anotherarea/park with paved running/bikingpathsand public restroomsin good condition

Ryder'sWoodsneedshelp

Lately,there'sbeen way too much clearingof allof the naturalfoliage and I find that although necessary to apoint it'sgettingtoo extreme and beingmade to look like acity park rather than the naturalplace that it is

Not allparksare good fortoddlers

Seasonally and my kidsare gettingolderso ourneedsare chu

Parking bathroom access shade walkingorcyclingaccessare not alwaysavailable lastly pet friendly

need dogpark

Sometimesthere’saneed formore and cleanerbathroomsand waterfountains

Lack of restroomsplayground equipment isliterally fallingapart ordamaged Which causesovercrowdsin certain betterequipped parks

1 At Olson Park,there are stadium light fixturesto illuminate the fieldsat night,but they don't appearto work 2 None of the parksofferice skating/hockey in the wintermonths,orif they do then I wasnot able to locate that information online orin any published material 3 I'm not sure where rollerskating/rollerhockey would be permitted

I really need some newtee padsforthe Emricson disc golf course!

Some of the parkscould use an update

I utilize Emrickson park very frequently Howeverit would be more often if family bathroomswere available

Walking/ Runningpathsneed to be wellmaintained and safe

There are some great parksbut would love more accessibility by bikes(bike pathson roadwaysand through parks)

Dependson the park if it’sup to date and clean ornot

Lackingadogoffleash area

I feellike the playgroundsat emricson could be improved upon

Specifically the playgroundsare older,missingparts,have beesnestingthere,and lack shade so theyre not very welcomingorsafe forkids Id love to have accessto more walkingpath and bike paths

Most playground equipment seemsout of date and very small

They need more walkingpaths

Some parksare neglected,orput on the bottom of arepairlist that takesyearsto rise up forhelp Othersget more attention if they house asportsvenue (Dream Field at Emricson) that fee everyplay on and if you are female you neverplay there but yourtaxeshave to help maintain it? Old growth treesshould be saved when possible And accessforall,everywhere

Love tennis but Emricson’swere in need of repairs

Wish there wasmore pathsin nature areas Orsome current onesneed to be attended to more frequently

The reasonsI checked previously Bathrooms softballfield usage safety

It dependson what I want to do Sometimesit isthe condition of the park (broken/dirty equipment)

We usually go to Emricson the parksare alittle outdated but ourkidsenjoy it I wish there were more benchesassometimesthey are allbeingused

I like walkingpathsand can only find that at Emricson without worryingabout ticks

I feellike forthe tax dollarswe pay,there could be betterfacilities The square and farmersmarket are huge forourfamily,but Woodstock lacksparksthat are more accessible,better footingto walk on at parksand excitement that otherparkshave in say CrystalLake,McHenry and Huntley and othersurroundingtowns

Not you Itsme

It would be amazingto have an epic park,one that isset apart Allof ourparksfeelsimilar

Basketballcourts(at Olson park) need to be renovated,I rememberwhen 50-100 would line up to play pickup games We need some sort of outdoor(domed) court,prevent weather affectingit

Some of the parksneed an update and be taken care of

There are safety concernswith some parks

Need bathroomsand shade at allparks

More seatingforadultswould be nice to watch the kidsplay

Need restroom option at more of them

More bathroomsand pathsto walk

We visit many parksin Woodstock But we also go to surroundingtownsto enjoy theirsaswell Splash pads nature walks nicerequipment etc

Need forpermanent outdoorevent space like abandshell

Would like more disability geared parks

mostly - see above Also,more walking/bikingtrailswould be nice

Again Mary Ann isnt age appropriate!

Dogneedsto run

There are optionsbut they aren't great

More pickle ballcourtsneeded

Yes,but the inoperable lightsat the emricson tenniscourtsstop you from enjoyingyourself at sundown

Would like to see askatingrink at Emericson Park and asplash pad forresidence w/no fee and w/out havingto go to the Woodstock WaterWerks

We're stilllearningabout the parks We live the county conservation areas,and hope the city willfocuson naturalareas

Not allparkshave tenniscourtsorhave itemsthat are broken/no restroomsforchildren who need it There isno walkable parksnearBullValley Fold club areaand no Othato get around and walk

Some are showingwear Some do not have restrooms

Batesdoesn’t feelsafe ,Merryman isbeautifulbut missinglightsand aconcession We spend so much time there forsports I’ve been to smallerand lessmaintained parksforsportsand they allhave concessionsand restrooms It’sthisbeautifulbaseballfacility with zero accommodationsforbathroom ( port apotty gross) and no concession

Dependswhat we are out doing

No bathroomsand not enough areaforsportslike basketballhoops

Restroomsand snack stand isneeded at the Thunderfootballarea!

Read above answerin 9

If amenitiesare not already in fulluse

Gatheringswhen areaisavailable

Yes there are lotsof park optionsbut not alot of variety

See previouscomments The park on Dean Street–Sunnyside–isclosest to usbut it isnot in agreat spot with the busy road and it isALWAYS empty,givingit not great optics

They could be updated

Emricson park definitely needsimproved bathroom facilities It isabarrierto bringingkidsthere and difficult when we are there forsportingevents Also emricson park seemsto have fallen into disrepair It could really be abeautifuldrawto people comingto ourtown if landscapingand playgroundswere betterkept up

Some of the children parksdo not have any restroom facilities Batespark playground hasbroken equipment

Most of the parksare difficult to navigate with smallchildren

When my child wasyoungwe used the parksquite often but nowI tend to hike at the conservation district parksinstead

I'm an avid biker[mountain biker] but also ride on the roadsquite often Would love some mountain bike/single track trails I'm also asoccerguy,played and coached formainy yearsin Woodstock There'san overalllack of quality fieldsin Woodstock foryouth soccer The fieldsat Northwood are average at best,and typically in poorcondition I knowthe City isn't involved with these fields,but would be anice have betterfieldsto play on

Needsmore seatsand trash cansavailable

Seemsonly park in the square and emricson accommodate needs

They are ok But definitely need updatingand upgrades

Ned an overallupgrade

I love howmany parkswe have I wish there wasmore native landscaping,flowers,etc

I play tennisand there are very fewcourtsavailable

why do we squeeze EVERYlarge event in the square when we have alarge park like emricson to house largerthings

Rec Centershould be expanded

Some can use maintenance upgradessuch asstructuresin Park in the Square

It'snice to be outside

The parksare allfairly convenient to accessforus we neverhave to traveltoo much to get to one But I think Olson and Emricson are the only oneswith bathroomsand trash bins

Wide array of parks;would like more naturalareasand naturalelementsincorporated into neighborhood parks

Olson park really needsupgradesto equipment and safety

The areasfortoddlersat playgroundsare incredibly small which leadsthem to want to go to the biggerkidsareamore where it may not be assafe

SometimesI feelsafe and othertimesI don’t

We find that aplayground somewhere nearthe square would greatly increase ourquality of life and ability to get outside more often with the kids Dick Tracy and Olson are just slightly too farfrom square

Dirty;needsupkeep

Needsmore diferentssportscourts

I feelthat there could be more pathsforwalking

Newerplaygroundsforkidsand more bathroom facilitieswould be nice

Waterpark isgreat,otherparksare lame

My kidsplay baseballand football- we are lackingin concessions shelters bathroomsat the parksthat those activitiesare played at

Lack of lighting

Pickleball! LOL

My kidsare happy at the parks therefore I am happy Some of the parkscould use some maintenance but overallenjoyable Wish there wasafree splash pad

Everythingisoutdated

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sfacilitiesandprogramming adequatelysuityourneeds? Whyorwhynot? 827

Yes (Pleasetellus why)

No (Pleasetellus why)

Sometimes (Pleaseexplain whyorwhere)

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sfacilitiesandprogramming adequatelysuityourneeds? Whyorwhynot? 827

12-DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sfacilitiesandprogrammingadequatelysuit yourneeds?Whyorwhynot?-SelectedChoice

Yes(Please tell uswhy)

No (Please tell uswhy)

Sometimes(Please explain why or where)

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sfacilitiesandprogramming adequatelysuityourneeds? Whyorwhynot? 827

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sfacilitiesand programmingadequatelysuityou...

Yes(Please tell uswhy)

No (Please tell uswhy)

Sometimes(Please explain why or where)

My answerabove willbe pretty similarhere

Personally I only look forone thingwhen goingto parks;great walkingtrails

There isarange of options,although I am not alwayssure where to find information of events

Wide availability of thingsto do lotsof localcommunity activities

Location

ok

Swimming walkingavailable

lotsof opportunites

There are many programsavailable,and it isnice to have so many optionsto choose from

They have alot to offerthe public

Sportsdogpark the rec department hasmany programs

Walkingtrails biking cat walking

I really like the concertson the square

Nice area,upkeep isvery good Dogfriendly

I’m happy with the variety

so many thingsgo on at the square

Enjoy eventson the square,but do not want the park in the square remodeled

Woodstocksprogrammingand indoorRec facilitiesare very nice

Facilitiesneed updating

Wide variety of programsand opportunitiesbetween parks rec center waterworksand Woodstocksallowance of outside groupsto program open space like park in the square

Nice walkingpath

Though I cannot alwaysattend,especially since I am not aresident,I have enjoyed the eventsIve been to

Farmermarket

I like to walk and hike - there are opportunitiesforthat But more public restroomsare needed

Lotsof optionsforallages sometimesat inconvenient times

Square My forevermemoriesof Woodstock reside there

Classesand agesare adequate wish pricingwascheaper

Have what I need

I enjoy the outdoorsand also participate in attendingvariousculturalevents,concerts,markets

The square shoppingand relaxing&walking

There fine

there are many activitiesand events

I believe there are plenty of opportunitiesto use the facilitiesand programmingavailable People just need to seek them out and use them

There are many options

I mostly exercise at home

I don’t take advantage of allthe offerings,Woodstock has,but I feelthey have avariety forme to choose from if I wish

I would like to see more thingsoffered forseniors Like organized trips

Most of the tine

Plenty of great opportunitiesforkids

I enjoy watchingsportingeventsand facilitiesare clean

There isawide variety to satisfy my needs At thispoint I use them forwalkingand beingoutdoorsin asafe place

Adequate Need to attract abetterfitnesscenterlike the Yin CrystalLake

They seem to have agood dealof variety

Ourcommunity offersavariety of programs

I love the naturalareas,placesto take my grandchildren

Ourfamily hasused many of the resourcesoverthe years

Theirare alot of them that I neveruse

Many parksto chose from

Don’t use much formalprogramsanymore

Im afraid I dont usually participate in programs

I appreciate allthe porta-pottiesadded at Emricson Also appreciate that Emricson pathwaysnowhave snowremoval We attend most eventson the Square

We enjoy the walkingpath at Emricson and the playgroundsforourgrandchildren

Great walkingand love the playgroundsforthe grandchildren

Enjoy the opportunity foroutdoorexercise Especially appreciate the City plowingthe walkingpathsat Emricson duringthe wintermonths

Use the park to walk my dogs,and sometimesplay sportswith them I have ahome gym forallmy fitnessneeds

Communication viamailisgood

It’sapark

Love the pool

Yes,most everythingisavailable

Especially love summerband concertsin park on the square

yes I have accessto just about everythingI could want Just want to see more love fordisc golf

There iseverythingavailable that I need orwant to do

I attend great classesat areasonable price

dont like the rec center alwaysagreat place

Thank you foraddingPickle ballcourts!

I enjoy the eventsat the Square,but am not interested in otherorganized recreationalopportunities

good condtion

Yes

I’m not sure

They are good

yesbecause they are good at keepingup

Everythingseemsfine

they are fun

comesin nice when i need it

I’m alwaysplayingwith friendsand on the baseballfields

Good sports

Because it’sclose by and easy to access

there fun

Yes I like the tracksbecause I can run and get cardio in

Yesbc I have fun with my friendsq

Yes

They are very fun

Idk

There isagood variety of programming

Great programsforkids,lotsto pick from!

Many different offerings

Just myself usually

They do

See above

Yada

Variety of sportsand fieldsto participate in with schoolcooperation of gymnasiums

Wellmaintained clean and large variety of parks

Some of the stuffI see promoted on facebook isreally interestingto me/cool

Forthe most part,there are parksthat serve many different needs/usesyearround

There isalot of variety

I just walk so they’re ok forme

Rec centerand waterpark are great!

There are amultitude of programsand opportunities

We have enjoyed the toddlerclassesoffered

Variety of optionsavailable

Park and picnic areasare great

They offermany sportsbut I would like more daysforsportsprogramsforkids

The locale

There aren’t many otherthingsI would like to do/see that they don’t already offer

Yesbut I rarely use the programming Free time again

mostly

Lotsof fieldsand placesto go

If i had the time

Generally yes- if I want to run orgo on alongerhike though Im more likely to use McHenry County Conservation District properties(especially Kishwaukee and Pleasant Valley) By theirnature those are just bigger

Woodstock alwayshassomethingfun goingon

I have not used the Rec formuch We do love the pool

I feellike there’salwayssomethingto do oraplace to go

The rec centerisgreat,wide variety of equipment and lotsof classes

I like allthe activitieson the square,plusEmericson Park forthe July 4th fireworks The best around

Im asimple person without any specific unique requirements

Yes,we try to do lotsof eventsduringthe yearwithin woodstock

See answerto 11

wide variety

There isanice variety Not everyone enjoysnature walks,and the Square and otherplayground areasare perfect forthat Emricson and otherparksoffernaturalsurroundingsand quite

Forthe most part they are allnice to visit and close by

Overallthe city hasdone agreat job of keepingthe walkingpathsat Emricson clearduringthe winter Very important forregularwalkers

N/A

Seemsto appealto wide variety of people

I just go forhikes—simple

There’ssomethingforeveryone

There isaton of programmingto fit everythingI would want to do

There are some programsforafterwork I would like more but I understand

I do feelthe city offersanice variety of programs

I often walk at Emricson Grandkidsenjoy severalparks

too expensive

We have to drive farforamore toddlerfriendly park AND asplash pad

Need more adult swim lap exercise time

Not much info seemsto be available

I preferto use aswimmingpoolformy activities The swimmingpoolat the rec centeristiny and the staffisnot very friendly

Need newrec centerfacility with appropriate size indoorlap swim pool

Facilitiesneed updating;old and in poorcondition

A lot of the facilitesneed to be updated around town

Although I’m aseniorI stillwork Most programmingisscheduled duringthe workingday

No they don’t offerprogramsforkidswho are autistic unlesstheirage 6 everythingthat my son wantsto do he hast to be six orseven and they dont offerthe support forhim to be there He can’t even join the park program because they said that they have no support forchildren with autism that’ssad

More senioractivities Socialevents

They need updates,more activities,and bathrooms

Not accessible

There isnot enough activitiesoffered formy age group and the smallerparksare not included in different programs

Mostly family oriented Nothingcasualforthe community outdoorsoutside of the square

programsseem to alwaysbe the same and are not of interest

The recreation centerI try to use But the lockerroomsare outdated) so isthe facility I would love to see anewerfeelingfacility Not one that isdilapidated and lookingby like itsduct taped together

Wish Rec Centerhad alargerpool

Rec centerisoutdated and not enough parking I quit there because of old building,weird smells,crowded treadmillroom

No regularaccessto rNo regularaccessto restroomsestrooms

815-451-9350

Need more forsenios

Need more activitiesforpeople with disabilities

Many would appreciate greatly of askatepark

There'sno skate park

The indoorpoolat the rec centerispitiful

Could use more exercise classtimes

Poorcondition not many optionsascompared to neighboringcommunities

Rec Centerisgreat forpickleballand otherinside sportsbut the weightsand exercise equipment leave alot to be desired

We traveloutside of Woodstock forextracircularactivitiesand many otherfamiliesdo aswell,forinstance forgymnastics

Not enough thingsto do I’d rathergo to CrystalLake

Loose Dogs

Need abike park

We need anice indoorpoolforyearround use The outdoorpoolshould have betterhoursand be open longerwhile we have nice weather

Apple Creek Park needsupdated equipment and abasketballcourt forthe growingcommunity residentialneighborhood in which it resides

we need aextream sportspark

No there needsto be an extreme sportspark They are even in the Olympicsnow!

Not really I have neverseen any programsthat are specific forspecialneed children And there are alot of specialneed children that would love to be involved in alot of thingsbut they can’t because they need otheraccommodation than otherkids They have to look forprogramsoutside of Woodstock instead

There just aren't choicesformy kids

Changingfacilities,adaptive equipment

Portapartiessuck need to use different company

We need abetterindoorrec centerwith afulllap pool!

Don’t offerthingsI enjoy

Not specialneedsfriendly

Same asabove

Old,the recreation bldgissimply unappealing

Askidsget olderit'sharderto find programsin the community forthem

Fundingforparks

Need more eveningand weekend timesforworkingfamilies

Rec centerisdilapidated and not equipped to meet needsof growingcommunity

I just walk by

forthe property taxeswe pay activitiesfeesshould be less Administrative costsshould be cut and more goingback to the residentsand I don't mean givingme thingsaway free to those that already get everythingforfree Inflation hashit workingfamiliesthe most that make too much to qualify forfee reductions

More adult options Pickleball volleyball tennis soccer etc

The fitnesscenterisold and needsto be updated classesforaquasize not enough of them

Rec centerisgettingpretty run down and expensive forwhat it is Not much forolderkidsand adultsto do

If you are talkingabout the rec center,I would NEVER use it asit isthe most filthy place I have everseen Asaperson with acompromised immune system,that isnot aplace forme to go to

more pickelballcourts

I would like to see improvementsat the Rec Center Everythingiscompleted with little fundingand it shows Which isaggervatingbecause it isthe ONLYfacilitiesI PAYmoney to be there Betterequipment betteramenities betterstaff Allrequire money and allare lacking

Pickleballcourtsand bathrooms

Many summerprogramsdo not seem to attract participants

They need more weekend orafternoon programming variety

See above

A soccerfield

No not enough permanent bathrooms

No because I don’t participate the fields,bathrooms,sport courtsare awful

Too many portapotties not enough permanent bathrooms

Not afamily interest

Hi

I need volleyballcourtsplease

No because in my opinion kidsneed more free space like abeach volleyballcourt orsoccerfields

We need more permanent bathrooms,the porty potty’ssucksso much

Make more waterslides������

Not enough

Rec centerisinadequate

timing

Not allage groupsare involved in what isbest forthem

lack of family activities

We take advantage of the early childhood programsthrough the park district but also explore McHenry and Huntley rec centersformore variety

Schedule

Would like betteraccess

Programmed eventsare not athingI involve myself with

Need more variety of timesforevents

Park bathrooms��

I am not willingto pay non resfeesb/c I live out of town

No,not thrright timesforthe classesI would take

Limited programs

Pooland work out centerisoverpriced and old

We need an indoorpoolthat islongerthan 50 ft The rec centerpoolistoo ahort forlap swimmingand too warm Wht arent we accesaingcooperarively with poolsat both highschools

We need an indoorpoolthat isadequate size foradultsto swim lapsin winter

ToEsof classesnot convenient

The rec isto expensive,most the parksare run down

Woodstock Thunderhasacheerprogram that paysout of pocket forpractice space We are the main feederto the high schoolscheersquadsand nothingisoffered to oursquads

see above

more programsforolderfolks

Not enough activitiesforoldercitizens Do more to inform public about activitiesavailable

Need more sessionsof classesespecially on the weekend when workingparentscan get theirchildren to these classes

More fishing

The rec centeristerrible with programsforyoungerkids Alltheirclassisduringworkinghoursand theirsportsdon’t start tilllike 1st grade We take ourkidsto Huntley alot more kid friendly

the recreation buildingistoo smalland in need if updates we need more activities

Need an functionalindoorpoolforthe size kd ourcommunity

Missingaskatepark

Not sure if thisisthe correct section but why not askate park? The skate community isawonderfulcommunity My son,who graduated from North and nowgoesto schoolin Colorado skated allthe time We had to drive to lake GenevaorMcHenry etc forhim to skate The WarCorpshasbeen tryingto open askate facility foryearsapparently why hasnothing happened There isvery little in the way of facilitiesforkidswho don’t play sports I have two baseballplayersalso We had askate park I wastold and it closed So that’sif? One shot and no more? Thisjust doesn’t make sense We need to progressin these areasif we want to bringfamiliesto ourcommunity

NeedsSkatepark

The hoursforprogramsthat I would like to participate in do not coincide with residentswho are workingfulltime

Dont have the financialmeansforthe kidsnorthe transportation sportsand activitiesevents

Fishingareas

Limited optionsfortoddlerand child activitiesoutside of workday hours

Improvementsare needed in playground equipment and grounds

Were too busy (not parksissue)

Theresisno optionsforthe non normalfamilies There are lotsof homeschoolingfamilieshere And we pay exactly the same taxesasothers!

Should apply to generalpublic and visitorsmore then rec members

Could offermore free events

More ForAllfamily and agesof all

More to do forfamilies

Need more live music

Nothingto do with the kids

It’snot appealingand facilitiesare lacking

Rec buildingislessthan ideal Detersme from tryingprogramsthere

Timing,cost,lack of interest in subject matter

Not enough eveningtimesforworkingfamilies

There isso much more that could be offered at afraction of the price

More areaswith flowersand naturalbeauty to explore

Nothingof interest offered

Need more programmingforseniorsand beginners

It'shard to find the resourceseasily

Not sure what isavailable?

A biggerrecreation centerisneeded with apool,basketballcourt and community room(s) to increase the offeringof programsand events

Extreme old and ragged

Need more bathroomsand lessgravelwith bees

Everythingisduringthe day and I work duringthe day

DoyoufeelthatWoodstock’sfacilitiesandprogramming adequatelysuityourneeds? Whyorwhynot?:Sometimes(Pleaseexplainwhyorwhere)

There are some eventsthat are good forme at my age and my grandchildren I enjoy Emerickson parkswalkingpathsand I take my grandchildren to the parksmentioned asoften asI can More neches,shade and public restroomsare needed

Nice offeringof programsand activities Improved pickleballand tenniscourtswould be nice

More placesto walk would be nice

More eventsneeded

Bathroomsneed improvement

Lack of bicycle racksand/orbicycle garagesat train station,Square,WPL,parksLet’spromote health ratherthan airpollution

We appreciate allthe wonderfuleventson the Square even if we personally are unable to take advantage of them Ive recently joined the Rec Center primarily forthe dry sauna (HIGHLYIMPORTANT!!!) but have also been enjoyingthe classesand friendly community there

Rec centerisoutdated Some classesare great othersnot

See 11

Thingsthat are held in the square are too crowded no parking

Na

Need more kidsactivitiesafterschoolhours

I don't participate in the programs

Dependson which park I attend Restrooms,lights,safety

Id like to see more opportunitiesforyoungchildren at timeswhen workingparentscan participate More programsoutside of sportsforchildren and/oryoungchildren More parkingat Rec Centerand nearthe square

I like what isoffered by the rec department but there isnot enough parkingat the rec center The facilitiesare aging

I think there could be more activities,classesand eventsat Emricson And the permanent bathroomsshould be improved and reopened

Snowand ice are mot removed orsalted in winter Safety isaconcern

Restrooms

Poolhoursin summershould open earlier

Rec centerprogramscost No seniorrate Some seniorsdon't have alot of money but would like to use the facility

The parkingand bathroomsare too limited when an event ishappening

Rec centeris25 yearsoutdated,let'smake acommunity rec centerto be proud of

I’m not sure what the offeringsare

It seemsto have activitiesforeach age group

Not sure what programs

Need to build up the parksnearsubdivisionswhere people are able to walk to the park The gravelpathway on McConnellneedsto be sealcoated

Programsand diversity of offeringsare great,but the parks/facilitiesare outdated and don't compare to otherlocalcommunities

No poolindoor

REc centersize and capabilitiesno the front staffand workerslike Becky V absolutely!!! THey are creative with the different programsand eventsthey come up with Hopefully the new leadership willpromote herand othersideasmore

The picnic shelterscould be bettermaintained and improved

Poolcould use laterhoursand alongerseason

At timespark activitiesare geared to family’swith youngkids- it would be nice to include allage groups

Wish the poolhad betterhoursin the summer(morningswimmingwith kids)

Yes,except when the High Schoolbringsin acrosscountry meet formultiple daysand bringsin toiletsbut locksthem But when they are up theirforothermeetsthey overuse the bathroomsthat are provided by the city/parks Park should not be shut down and closed formultiple daysat atime asin 2023

Haven’t used it enough to praise orcomplain

Most of the time I would love to walk to more parksbut they are not within walkingdistance

Would like more programsforseniorsorbustripsorclasses

The portaJohn'sare sometimesnot upkept very well

Accessibility and facilitiescan alwaysbe improved

the farmersmarket music isusually terrible just some old guy butcheringBeatlescovers occasionally there issomethingnice like an instrumentalfolk group but itstoo often just aman with aguitarsingingannoyingly

Also,not sure and do not knowwhere to accessinformation

We have gone to the rec centerpool but it could use an update

I am unincorporated so sometimesI can not registersince there isadelay forme to register Also,I am afulltime workingmom,so timingissometimeshard

Again,where isthe residentialinput in these projectsand decisions

I would like more family oriented activities

I like the numberof activitiesavailable in the spring/summer I would like more winteractivities

I feelwhat we have isgreat but could use some good maintenance and fine tuningto the parksand programswe already have

I believe they would benefit from aBMXpark like the one at Searlsin Rockford

Dependsof the day

Dogpark

Need biggerrecreationalareasto suit growingcommunity

Dont alwaysknowif theresan event goingon

Not enough adult exercise programs

Financially prohibitingforsome seniorcitizens

I like the golf program of offered I went through 2 rounds,once wmy wife and then wmy dad I would like to see indoorswim forinfantsaswe have a3 month old at home and would like to acclimate herto the wateroverthe summer

There are thingsId like to do but I don’t knowwhat facilitiesare available to me

Summerprogramsare great

Offermore yearround indoorsportsie basketball

No complaintsI guess

Would love askate/bmx park formy daughter

could be more fully accessible

I live that there are multiple parksin many neighborhoodsbut accessible parksare important forparentsand children that need such accommodations

Allfacilitiesshould be accessible forallpersons

I am not often aware that an event I would enjoy isgoingto take place untilit already has

Rec Centerneedsupdating

Sometimes

Forthe most part yes but there isagenerallack of suppliesand programmingthat fit my schedule

I don't use the programsdue to financesand schedulingbut that isdue to my terrible work schedule and not the city of Woodstock

Love the programmingoffered,the rec centerislacking,very old and not welllayed out

Even asmallstep up in activitiesorfestsisneeded

Rec Centerisaged and needssome work Would love indoorpoollargerthan what iscurrently available

Not asmuch foryoungerkids

My schedule

Havingsocialanxiety makesit hard to participate in most programs

Don't take in alot of programmingcurrently Hopingto spend more time in the square thissummer Absolutely LOVEthe farmer'smarket!

It’sfine

I go to the park in the square often and have said it needsparkingnearby,rest roomsand more picnic tables I dont knowwhat you mean about programming

We are an adult household,no kids Some more adult programmingwould be nice

Forwalkingand attendingevents

Would like to see recycle waste receptaclesin ourparks

There are already severalparksin the area,keepingthem maintained,makingmore crosswalkson Route 47

Timesof programsare not alwaysconvenient

They are definitely aimed at families perhapsalittle too much

It suited fine when there were children in the house Not so much anymore

A fewholesoverthe years but overallok

Bathroom facilitiesare not alwaysavailable

The programsare ok at best,the program instructorsat timesdo not seem to understand howto manage aprogram The facilitiesare dilapidated and should have neverbeen purchased

The Rec centerneedsanewfacility

Im not very aware of whatsgoingon Programming classesetc usually dont fit my wants/needs

I enjoy the rec centerbut itsfarbelowothersi have visited

I really wish there where more facilitiesforyoungerchildren 5-12yearolds I feelthat Woodstock lacksenrichment activitiesthat arent necessarily playingon ateam of some sport

same asnumber11

I believe parksshould just be revamped if needed forthe little kids

They help me and otherpeople

They should add aplace forvolleyballcourts

NOT A LOT OF TIMECHOICES sometimes need betterbathrooms

idk

Enough parks

They are okay

Not much to do

they can be covinient but they could also be uselessto me and my family We would like more options

Some facilitiesare old and dangerous

More activities

It sutesmost my needs

some are maintained betterthen others

I would love to see avariety of different sportingofferingsand upkeep like on basketballcourts volleyballcourts and addingpickleballcourts!

Not many optionsforworkingmoms

I don’t use the parksallthe time,howeverwhen I do use them,they sometimesaren’t necessarily in good enough condition to use

Again some partsare adequate othersare not

Need more soccerfields

My daughterisavolleyballplayer The rec centerdoesnot offeropen gym timesforteenagerplayersto work on theirskills I willsay that the programsforyoungerkidsare great Adult open gym forvolleyball Nothingforteenagers

Variety but expensive through the park district

Timingforactivitiesdoesn't alwaysalign But the programsare appreciated

Neverknowwhen somethingshappening

I preferto use facilitiesin my own not with aorganzied group

I wish there were more timeframesavailable

dependson cost and time

Beingunincorporated-feesare more expensive yet I pay taxes

Formy 10 yearold son,yes Foraparent not asmuch

More woodstrailswould suit me well

Asahousehold we are indifferent

I dont use parksthat much

Good offeringsbut surroundingtownsoffermore when it comesto parksspecifically

Needsconcession standsand more acitivites

We're able to enjoy thingsasafamily but sometimesourneedswith the superyoungaren't met easily

To hearthat Woodstock willfinally be gettingasplash pad isexciting,we have been drivingto neighboringtownsto take advantage of theirsforyears Howeverto find out that it’sgoing to be inside Woodstock WaterWorksisdisappointing Neighboringtownshave theirslocated in conjunction with apark and there isno fee to use it Most familiesthat go to these have youngkidswho most likely wouldn’t get much out of awaterpark and just need an areato splash around forabit and cooloffon ahot day

Grandchildren might cause usto use the parksmore

Some placesneed betterrestroomsand sittingoptions

The rec isnot welcomingand it’sold and dingy I also feelit isoverpriced forthe facility Programminghasbeen just ok to me

Limited classesforseniors

Again,I think the clearingof the parksisbeingoverdone forinstance at hennen I have been walkingthere foroveradozen yearsand to see what theyre doingto the park isvery very tragic and disheartening

The summermonthsare betterbut they should be yearround

A lot of offered activitiesare duringthe day when I work I teach and have greaterflexibility overthe summer

Forsportsbaseballiscovered but footballisnot supported

1 At Olson Park,there are stadium light fixturesto illuminate the fieldsat night,but they don't appearto work 2 None of the parksofferice skating/hockey in the wintermonths,orif they do then I wasnot able to locate that information online orin any published material 3 I'm not sure where rollerskating/rollerhockey would be permitted

The rec centercould be expanded upon and improved to be more like the northwestern facilities

Adequate formy needsaswellasothers Would not expect allevents/programmingto be catered to one specific group of people! Like the diversity of them

City park hasthe paved trail

We need the rec centerto update and expand

We like to stay close to home so we go to the parksaround us They are alittle olderand could use updating Would love to go to more eventsbut not sure where to learn about them

I feelthere could be more optionsforoutdooractivities

I havent really investigated

I feelI need targeted info

Would love more art classes!

Some Programs

More pet friendly options

More activitiesat loworno cost in eveningsforadults

Would love to see more activitiesforkidswith specialneeds And more affordability options

We wish we knewmore about the different parksand what eventsare goingon

More needed fortweensand teens

I wish the Rec Centertaught exercise classesspecifically forseniors,such asSioverSneakers

I wish there were more land exercise classesduringthe time middle schoolisin session too Also just more activitiesforfamilies,adultsetc allvarieties There isnot apark in walkable distance from ourhouse due to unsafe road/not paved pathsand not anearby park

Need more eventsthat utilize the open spaces

Depends

Answerto question 9

I’m sure there are thingsthat could apply to ourfamily but we havent participated in anythingyet!

Scheduled timesdon't fit my schedule

Sportingevents

The timingof classesI would like to take are duringmy work hours

Square related eventsare ahuge factorforme

It'sfine Not great,not terrible

I would love to see anice indoorwalkingtrack and expanded gym so that it waseasierto come play basketballorhave generalopen gym time The gym often seemsbusy in the afternoon/eveningswhen kidsare out of schooland adultsoffof work Also an expanded weights/stretchingarea

I wish there wasan indoorpoolforlapsthat waslargerthan the current indoorpool

I love the Rec Center,but knowit could just be so much more with updated equipment,space and services

Rec centerequipment isold buildingsmells

Asaretired specialeducation teacherforDistrict 200 for30 yearsI'm anxiousto see progresson the inclusive playground planned forEmricson park The specialeducation/ physically challenged studentsare underserved asfarasaccessible facilitiesin town

I feelwe need an updated rec centerlike othersurroundingtowns

Only parksin the square and emricson

Emricson hastoo many eventsthat clo6the park

Hit ormiss

Need more tenniscourts

I wish more youth sportsprogramswere organized through the rec department Some of ouryouth sportsprogramsare horrible

Lotsof great programsforsports,but we could use abetterindoorpooland betteroptionsforadultswho want to swim in the outdoorpool I'd also like to see more programmingin the parksthat isn't sports-focused

rec enterisicky Operahouse isunfriendly

It dependson what I'm doing

I wish they were more affordable

Some eventsnot offered duringtime my schedule allows

Dependson what it is

Last time I wasat the pool,it didnt appearclean and fresh asapoolareashould

Not enough activitiesforfamilieswith parentswho work Too many activitiesare duringthe day duringthe work week

No comments

Newerplaygroundsforkidsand more bathroom facilitieswould be nice

Need more thingsforyoungertoddlersand kidsbesidessports Ages1-5

The portable toiletsare not cleaned regularly

The parkinglot at the rec centerisso small&the place isalwayspacked I feellike I’llget sick!! I find it odd that when you walk into the rec center there isn’t aseperate lobby area everyone isworkingout right there &can be dangerous

Would love to use the rec poolhoweverit isonly available on weekends

Stilltoo unfamiliarto make ayes/no decision

Wish there wasafree splash pad like in McHenry and CrystalLake

Supposethatanextra $1Millionwasmadeavailable,andyouwereabletodeterminehow itwasspent How

the possiblechoiceslistedbelow? (Selectyourtop2priorities) 916

Increasemaintenanceandqualityof existingrecreational opportunities

Development of new recreationalopportunities

Supposethatanextra $1Millionwasmadeavailable,andyouwereabletodeterminehow itwasspent How

the possiblechoiceslistedbelow? (Selectyourtop2priorities) 916

13-Supposethatanextra$1Millionwasmadeavailable,andyouwereable todeterminehowitwasspent Howwouldyoudistributethatbudgetamong thepossiblechoiceslistedbelow?(Selectyourtop2priorities)-Selected Choice

Increase maintenance and quality ofexistingrecreational opportunities

Developmentofnew recreational opportunities

Expand programming

Other

cheaperrates

A splash pad in the sonatas!

You have an extraone million dollarsso adjust the budget and put it towardswhat the people can see with theirown eyes

Fix the parkingon to Emricson hill(safety concerns)

Intentionally cultivate native plant preserves Dogvaccinated fenced park

Make certain lessonslike swimminglessonswhich are pivotalto safety cheaperand more available Addingasoccerprogram would be great aswell

Pickle ballcourts

Need more time to ponderthisquestion

I would ratherthat existingfacilitiesand optionsbe made the best they can be I would support addingin bike lanesand 'share the road' education fordrivers

Not forprofit Community gardens

We already have enough facilitesavailable they just need updating

Plant more trees

Opsticle coursesforyoungercrowd with supervision Buildingkidsconfidence and love forthe outdoors Fun thingsto do Keep theirinterest involved With socialgatheringsforkidsto learn and participate

Return to taxpayers

RepairGould St

Plant more treesand build shelters

Make abeautifulflowergarden forpeople to roam and it would be magical! Kindalike the the gardensthey have in Europe that everyone can enjoy There are many people who love gardeningand flowersand would be happy to volunteer

Host events&culturalhappenings Buy benches,picnic tables Set up community boardsin allparksto help connect people

handicap ridesfrom parkingto events

look to buy private land that might help prevent more development and make it into apark - but if not fundingto add amenities,at least the land won't be turned into housing

Add bathrooms

I wholeheartedly agree with MAINTAININGand not lettingthingsfallinto disrepair Emricson Park isacrown jeweland should be celebrated and lovingly maintained

Outdoormusic stage otherthan the bandstand

Fix the roads!

Walking/bike trails

Create afenced in dogpark somewhere closerto the downtown area

Offleash dogpark with trees

Wellplanned offleash dogpark

Upgrade and fix existingparks

In addition to aproperly sized indoorpool,the entire rec centerneedsrefurbishing It isway too smalland claustrophobic

Make allparksaccessible

instead of just addingaparkinglot,expand the rec center Orlook forfundingpartnersorgrantsand build apropersized rec centercloserto town so you could draweithertournaments oreventsand have it benefit the department and city business

More trashcans

Skate/Bike Park

I do feellike there isan abundance of hardscape in the downtown square park I would not add any otherhardscape to that park

Restroom options(especially on the square)

Skate park forthe kids

Indoorfacility that would support youth soccerand baseballprograms Current programsneed to rent facilitiesoutside of Woodstock

Running/bikingtrails

We need adogpark in Emricson Park

Support ypuractualsmallbusinesses,and stop wastingmoney on dumb shit like anewlogo

Homelessshelterso they dont have to sleep in the park and make me feelunsafe orunwelcome

Increase recreationalopportunitesat the City park not on the square

I understand that thisisnotm related to the park system directly;but I reallthink that allpossible $$ should be used to maintain the parkswe have and make sure they are allfunctional, safe,and clean,freshly painted etc while usingevery possible $$ to repairthe city’scrumblingroadsad streets(includingredesigningthe square park) I can’t believe the neglect evident in the city’sinfrastructure in town and peripherally It took alot of neglect to get to thispoint,nowit’stime to spend money on fixingthese seminalmeansof traveland bringthem to where they should be- before any majorlayoutson simply aesthetic projects

Safe pedestrian travelto and from parksforsurroundingneighbors Clay St alwayshascrashesand people going50-60 mph through the stretch afterthe 4-way stop of Clay and E Greenwood ALLTHEWAYto N Seminary If driverswant to go fast,they need to be deterred from the neighborhoodsand utilize Seminary It isnot safe and every person I knowwho hasconsidered movinghere mentionsmy road beingdangerous,and the park not havingenough speedbumpsand speed reducingtools

Dogpark

Fix ourroads!!

Have aplace forpeople to gatherwith live bandsthat are not in my neighborhood that are so loud you have to leave yourown house forhours

Buy greenwaysto connect parks

Build newbike pathsacrossthe city Forexample the Mchenry conservation district maintained the path on us14

nature &ecologicalpreservesfornature and walkingonly

Would love to see an affordable drivingrange in town again without havingaclub membership orhavingto drive to the otherend of town to hit abucket of balls We also lost ourmini golf course Also,update Rec Centeraspreviously mentioned

More bike and walkingpaths

Biking

skatepark or/and apump track

BMXSkate park

Build an extrem sportspark

Please fix roadsin communities

Do not spend it on redoingthe Square!

Sensory accommodations,changingfacilities

Please please fix roadsand sidewalksfirst

Permanent washrooms

Build askatepark

Increase support forthe recreation centerfacilities

Update the Woodstock recreation

Fix roadsand sidewalksshould be apriority

Put it in to maintainingwhat we have and possibly add to the conservation areas Don't dump it into thingsto make it look rich because that alwaysdecaysand then we willno longerbe clean,safe,and welcoming We have incredible parksand incredible people who maintain these parksevery day Plant some trees!

Roads

Expand walkingpathsand bike paths

More trees!

more trails

Bike pathsforfamilies,not on busy streets,and forthose usingbicyclesfortransportation

Maintain what you have and dont expand orbuild anythingmore The city isin debt Pay the debt then spend whatevermoney you want

Update playgrounds

Include more equipment and reduce barriersto accessmore parks

Would like to see acraftsprogram Could be pottery making(kiln) woodworking etc

Get agrant forabike/pedestrian masterplan and build asmuch asyou can

Create indoorplay placesormini golf

Use Die Cast land to create regionalcommunity centerwith 50 meterpool See Pleasant Prairie Rec Plex formodel

Reduce programmingfeesforthose that need to pay forthingsand put in public bathrooms,get rid of the portapotties

Build foot/bike paths;interconnect allareasof city and parks

Build sidewalksto connect different areasto parksto make them more walkable

The parksare fine You don’t need to be spending$1 million more Fix the roadsinstead

Put more equipment

Fix the roadsin ourneighborhood

Create an open park on the ond Die Castingsite which could provide the space forspecialeventsand the baroverflowseemingly desired forSquare Park use ratherthan closingoff streetsorusingthe Square Park I see that asan incredibly wrongplace forhousing,especially seniors

Plant trees

newindoorwashrooms

Containersat each entrance to Square Park and at each pavilion and parkinglot at allotherparks Solarlightingin addition to the safety /security lightspowered by electricity

create native speciesgardens,and use only organic herbicide application;preferably no spray policy

Buy more land/forest to walk through

Connect the existingparksand facilitiesto make it easierto accessallof them

Make allparksand playgroundscompletely ADA accessible

Fix Rec centerpooland hot tub These are not easily accesible forhandicapped people

If from taxes,no Stop raisingourtaxes

Newrec centerbuilding

Accessible programmingand equipment disabilities

An allagesspecialneedsplayground

Build ago kartingtrack (ovalorroad course) with SAFER barriersand bankingif itsan oval

Add achick-fa-fill

Made trailformotorveichlesdirt bike atv and much more

More eventsopportunitiesforcity levelsocialgathering

Make toilets

Add more basketballcourts

BATHROOMS

Baseballfields

Create atrack forDirt Bikesand Fourwheelers

Eventslike music festivals

dirt bike/atv trails

Golf course

Provide some type of outdoormusic venue

More park/ more waterslides

More soccerfields

Patchingpotholeson roads

Sod the park on the square with the same grassasSoldierField

Utilize the fairgroundsformore events Improve the grounds Clean up the city asawhole Remove sketchy personsfrom the park in the square

Scholarships/vouchersforhigh schoolstudentsforMCC

acquire and protect newparks

More nature trails

Not make majorchanges! Continue to add nownature trailsand keep the history of ourgreat city!

Bathroomsand concessionsat Emrickson

Taxation istheft Let volunteerswork the parks

Add thingssuch asbasketballcourtsto playgrounds I knowWoodstock isaddingtennis/pickleballbut what about anothersport?

Cyclingtrailswould be nice

Use emricson park formore

Fix city roadsand sidewalks

Splash pad area

more bike paths&lightsfortennis

Parkingand areally nice concession areaat the city park forallof the activitiesout there allyearlong

PUBLIC ORIGINALART

Purchase anothervery very large piece of land with woodsand creeksand Fieldsetc etc put milesof pathsthrough it fordogwalking

Newplayground equipment and asplash pad

A pet park

Upgrade footballsupport

Fix the roadsespecially the back roadstoo many pot holes

Restrooms

Connectingallfoursidesof city with bike/walkingpathsorlanes

Put in sidewalksorbike paths

Make more soccerfieldsthat are open to the public

Bike trails

Newrec center

I would fillallof the pot holesin the roads

Split it up Add more nature perverses/ recreationalareaswith easy walkingpaths A free gated areafordogsand Increasingquality of existingrecreationalopportunities

The rec centerneedsupdatingand expansion

Indoorpool

Return the money to the tax payers

Indoorswimmingpool

Adaptive to ADA recommendations

Addingin some more wateramenities and definitely WAYnicerbathroom options!

Basketballcourtsand facilities

Improve playgrounds,increase police routes

More public concerts and similarevents

I'd be interested in seeingsome updatesto the Rec Centerbefore focusingon parksproperties

BUILD A FOOTBALLFIELD

Dogpark

I'd love Woodstock to get asplash park

Expand the bike path up route 14

Not sure

Naturalization

allof the above

Create usable space/venue in open land by Metrastation

Fund the splash pad ratherthan waitingforpublic donations Create abutterfly garden Increase the size of Woodstock Waterworksit getsway too crowded

Create dogpark and skate park

Plant more trees

Paved path by country club and apark in the Bullvalley/country club area

Build skatepark

Build amunicipalcenterto house recreation department and City offices

Stop wastingmoney

Towardslowincome familiesso theirchildren have opportunitiesto join recreation programsmore often and explore otheroptions

Add an archery park ice rink indoorfacility where teenscan hangout and play games listen to music Dj dances competitions they aplace to go forFREE

I think #2 and 3 are similar

Update and expand rec center

Expand footballand bathrooms

Build aconcrete skateboard park

Build anewrecreation center- the one we have isridiculously smallforourtown and the equipment and facilitiesare antiquated

Expand programmingand activities/good play areasforourkids! They’re only little once,and theirchildhood isextremely important

an indoorsportscomplex thiswould produce revenue forourcity,provide jobs,and keep ourfamilieswith kidsin sportsand home ratherthan drivingto othertowns

Itstime to build anewrec facility instead of continually patchingwhat we have now

Restrooms

Expansion of Rec Center

Updatingrec center

Increase naturalelementsand waysto enjoy nature in parks

Make more naturalconservation areasforhikes

Work betterwith the youth programs,they spend so much time workingaround restictions,but they offerallthe programs,help them out,it the most important thingthe city can do!

Create agarden

Forsure have the RecreationalSpringBasketballProgram bettermanaged Ask anyone who hasparticipated and they’lltellyou howpoorof ajob itsmanaged and communicated to those who have paid to registertheirkids

Build alake

Fund the splash pad instead of relyingon the public to do it

Build bike pathsto parks

I would add more native plantsto increase the biodiversity of the parks

We have plenty of parks,we need the oldest onesto be replaced with somethingequally asstimulatingbut SAFE!!!!!

Lightsat batesfield Patrolled flush toiletsat Emricson FIXTHEROADS!

Not enough Right amount Too many

Foreachofthetypesoffacilitiesorplaces,pleaseindicatewhether you

Plumbed restroom facilities

Portable restroom facilities

Paved multi-use paths

Unpaved multi-use paths

Placesfor picnickingand small group gatherings

Community gardens

Fitnessfacilities

Environmental education facilities

Disc-golfcourses

Foreachofthetypesoffacilitiesorplaces,pleaseindicatewhetheryouthinkthereistoomuch,toolittle,ortherightamountofeachtoservethecommunity's needs 929

Foreachofthetypesoffacilitiesorplaces,please indicatewhetheryou

Paved

Unpaved

Disc-golfcourses Indoor

Wheredoyoulearnabouttheprogramming

15-Wheredoyoulearnabouttheprogrammingofferedforparksand recreation?-SelectedChoice

Wheredoyoulearnabouttheprogramming offeredforparksandrecreation?

City Scene brochure

Local newspapers

City website

Advertising

Social media

Flyers

Other (specify)

Multiply of these selections

City website &localpaper&city scene

Stopped in at Rec Centerto ask questions City Scene brochure seemstoo busy/confusing

Park

city scene AND localnewspapers

City councilrelationships

I don’t know

FaceBook

Word of mouth

Very hard to find curren updates Only get the one magazine perseason

Allof the above

Don't see

Sign at park

Allof the above

Friends

Public library

Allof the above should be achoice

Friends&family

At the park

Sign put up at apple creek park

City recreation flyer

Wife told me about it

Newspaper,city council,word of mouth,just goingaround town seeingnewthings

Sign on the street

Woodstock Independent

severalof the above but can only select one

I dont,Im not lookingforopportunities- Im unmarried,no kids,and work offschedule which makescommunity involvement challenging

if I get it in the mail

Independent AND City Scene

Why isthislimited to one answer? I use City Scene socialmediaand localnewspapers

allof the above plusconversationswith friends

Why isnt thismultiple options? City brochure &socialmedia

School

Livingin Woodstock

Teacher

findingthem orfamily/friendstellingme

i don’t

Word of mouth

Mr Sullivan

Just moved here,need aresource

Many of the above:socialmedia,newspapers,city brochure,etc

Runningacrossthem

Multiple places socialmedia brochures

Word of mouth facebook

Don't everreally concern myself with that

Facebook groups

Rec Centeradvertisementsand some socialmedia

City scene and FB

Socialmediaequalwith city scene

Allof the above

I do not proactively seek thisout Would be great to receive flyersoremails Thatslikely “on me” to make happen

Just by going

Be nice if I could click more than one option

AstheCityworkstoprioritizeparkinvestmentsforequityacrosstheparksystem,whatdoyouthinkshouldbethethree(3)mostimportantprioritiesinthenear term(thenext5-10years)? 925

Events andprogrammingthat respondto community-specificneeds

Support forbasicmaintenanceandrepairs equallyacross allparks

Improvements forsafeaccess to allparks

Ensuringallhomes within Woodstockarewithin aten-minutewalk of apark.

Buildnew structures andfacilities to meet specificcommunity needs

Expandthenumberand/orsizeof theparks andtrails systemto providemorerecreationalopportunities

Expandthenumberand/orsizeof parks andopen spaces to protect habitat andbenefit theenvironment

Enhancethemaintenanceof recreation facilities

Developnew recreation facilities

Other(writein response)

AstheCityworkstoprioritizeparkinvestmentsforequityacrosstheparksystem,whatdoyouthinkshouldbethethree(3)mostimportantprioritiesinthenear term(thenext5-10years)? 925

16-AstheCityworkstoprioritizeparkinvestmentsforequityacrossthepark system,whatdoyouthinkshouldbethethree(3)mostimportantprioritiesinthe nearterm(thenext5-10years)?-SelectedChoice

Eventsand programmingthatrespond to community-specific needs

Supportfor basic maintenance and repairsequally acrossall parks

Improvementsfor safe accessto all parks

Ensuringall homeswithin Woodstock are within aten-minute walk ofa park.

Build new structuresand facilitiesto meetspecific community needs

Expand the number and/or size ofthe parksand trailssystem to provide more recreational opportunities

Expand the number and/or size ofparksand open spacesto protect habitatand benefitthe environment

Enhance the maintenance ofrecreation facilities

Develop new recreation facilities

Other (write in response)

Expand trails

A splash pad in the sonatas! The kidswould alluse it and love it so much The sonatasisFILLED with kids

Fix parkingon top of hillat Emricson park- dangerousespecially with large trucksand kidsrunningbetween baseballfields

Maintenance support should be proportionalto size/usage Also 'safe access' should include saferbicycle routesto accessparksand facilities

Make facilitiesmore accessible forallabilities

improve bikingtrailsand sidewalks

Front parkinglot at Woodstock Rec centerneedsmajorflood control

Don't remodelthe square

Seniorfocused activities

Disability friendly in the park structures

Wellplanned OffLeash dogpark areas

Large indoorswimmingpool

Maintenance and care of parksand buildingon current resources

CentralPark,NYallowsoffleash dogsfrom 7am to 9am It would be great if ourparkscould do the same

Accessto paved trailswithout requiringadrive

Develope bikingpathsthroughout town

Stop buildinglennarhomes

More bike &walkingpaths

Improve the city park with more community specific needs Move the disc golf out on Davisroad where people are not walkingin the same location Most IMPORTANT LEAVETHE SQUAREAS IS FOR THEHISTORYAND WHYWOODSTOCKIS WOODSTOCK REPAIR WHAT NEEDS TO BEFIXED WITH THOSEFUNDS YOUR GETTINGBUT KEEP ITS HISTORY SAFE!!!! YOU SAVED THECOURT HOUSEWHYWOULD YOU CHANGEMAIN STREET OR THESQUARES BANDSTAND,STATUE,OR SPRINGHOUSE THIS SHOULD NEVER BE JUST A CITYCOUNCILDECISION IT SHOULD BELEFT ALONEOR PUT TO THECITYPEOPLEFOR A VOTE WEDONT NEED A LOCATION ON THESQUAREFOR LARGEBANDS OR ANYTHINGELSEIT NEEDS TO BELEFT ALONE!!!!

25 meterindoorpool,ormake HS poolsopen to the public forcertain hours

Courts I repeatedly go outside the Woodstock areato play pickleballand when we meet forcoffee orlunch afterplayingallof that money goesto othercommunitiesoutside of Woodstock

Dogpatk

Untilyou can maintain what you have do not do anythingelse

Roads

Do not redo the Square!

Bathroomingforadultswith specialneedsorADA

Add age appropriate opportuniesto smallerneighborhood parks

Connect people through paved,safe bike/walkingpaths

A bike pathsto connect McConnellRd to Northwest Highway viaLilly Pond orsome type of path through one of the existingsubdivisions

Support forbasic maintenance and do nothingmore untilwe’re out of debt asacity

More inclusive parks

More bike paths

Newrec center

Community garden plotsthat are close/ walkable forpeople in the centralresidentialarea

Recycle bins/cansat each park and bicycle parking

plumbed restroomsat Emricson

Do NOT develop newrec facility Shouldnt have torn down the first one just to give afriend adealon hisproperty REbuild restroomson the old site by old tenniscourts

None if it raisestaxes

Fullsized indoorpool!!

dirt bike track

Golf course

I am opposed to changingthe Woodstock Square More waterslides������ More soccerfields

Dogpark

Maintain the history and charm of Woodstock,not build the latest and greatest,modern experiences

Build more olderage appropriate facilitiesforolderkids! There isnothingforourtween/Teensto do! ’

Avoid newtaxation,prioritize existingfundsand limit exorbitant individualsalaries

More trailsunpaved/paved

lightsfortenniscourtsand more bike paths

Fix Ryder'sWoods

Football

Family accessible bathrooms

Offleash dogarea

Need decent indoorpoolfacilities current situationssucks smellsand alwaysmakesme sick

Slash pad

Reducingthe tax burden on residents

Develop native green spacesforpollinators Birds Plants

Adaptive structuresagain ADA

Increase Pond Budget

Accessible playground

Some conservation (with suitable recreation facilities) isdefinitely desirable

Dogpark

Indoorpool

Skatepark

More bike trails

Betterfootballfield experience

Skateboardingpark

Update the rec centerand/orbuild anew more spacious more updated facility It'd be nice if it had childcare but that'sprobably apipe dream When you're aworkingparent with akid in schoolordaycare yourkidscannot take advantage of programswhen theyre in the middle of the day and you cant just go workout in the middle of the work day So instead neither the kidsget to knowthe parksnordo the parentsget to benefit either Unfortunately thiscommunity like othersdoesnt considerthe needsof workingfamiliesexcept with some weekend events

Focuson parksbeingsafe

inclusive playgroundsforphysically challenged people

More youth sportsprograms

Dogpark

focuson youth programsand work with current youth programsand what the city can do betterto support them

Flowers

NEWREC CENTER

Dedicated bathrooms

We don’t need anymore music venueson ornearthe square outside of Emricson park There doesnot need to be an amplathetre on clay st Put it in Emricson and let usresidentswho pay taxes,have abreak!!! That areaof woodstock hearsthe music on the square,from the county fairgroundsAND FROM NIKOS!!!!! Give usabreak foronce!!!!

BATHROOMS

Splash pad

WhenyouimaginewhatWoodstock’sparksystemcouldlooklikein25years,whatarethemostimportantcommunitybenefitsyouhopebecomepartofthe visionandroadmapprovidedbythisMasterPlan? 922

Parks that promotesocialconnections

Parks that improveresidents health andwellness

Parks that protect environmentalhealth andnaturalresources (eg stormwater,airqualityandhabitat)

‘Destination’ parks andoutdoorareas that promoteeconomic development Neighborhoodparks that meet thedailyandyear-roundneeds of nearbyresidents

Sports andrecreation opportunities that arestrategicallylocatedto meet localandregionaldemand

Moreparkandrecreation programs (eg fitness classes,etc)

High-qualityandconnectedsystemof greenways andother bike/pedestrian amenities (pavedtrails)forgettingaround

Other(writein response)

WhenyouimaginewhatWoodstock’sparksystemcouldlooklikein25years,whatarethemostimportantcommunitybenefitsyouhopebecomepartofthe visionandroadmapprovidedbythisMasterPlan? 922

17-WhenyouimaginewhatWoodstock’sparksystemcouldlooklikein25years, whatarethemostimportantcommunitybenefitsyouhopebecomepartofthe visionandroadmapprovidedbythisMasterPlan?-SelectedChoice

Parksthatpromote social connections

Parksthatimprove residents’health and wellness

Parksthatprotectenvironmental health and natural resources(e g stormwater, air quality and habitat)

‘Destination’parksand outdoor areasthatpromote economic development

Neighborhood parksthatmeetthe daily and year-round needsofnearby residents

Sportsand recreation opportunitiesthatare strategically located to meet local and regional demand

More park and recreation programs(e g fitnessclasses, etc )

High-quality and connected system ofgreenwaysand other bike/pedestrian amenities(paved trails) for gettingaround

Other (write in response)

WhenyouimaginewhatWoodstock’sparksystemcouldlooklikein25years,whatarethemostimportantcommunitybenefitsyouhopebecomepartofthe visionandroadmapprovidedbythisMasterPlan? 922

WhenyouimaginewhatWoodstock’sparksystem couldlooklikein25years,

Parksthatpromote social connections

Parksthatimprove residents’health and wellness

Parksthatprotectenvironmental health and natural resources(e g stormwater, air quality and habitat)

‘Destination’parksand outdoor areasthat promote economic development

Neighborhood parksthatmeetthe daily and year-round needsofnearby residents

Sportsand recreation opportunitiesthatare strategically located to meetlocal and regional demand

More park and recreation programs(e.g. fitness classes, etc )

High-quality and connected system of greenwaysand other bike/pedestrian amenities (paved trails) for gettingaround

Other (write in response)

BOTH environmentalhealth protection AND bike/pedestrian connected accesssystem Saferuse of bikespromotesgood health &physicalfitnessAND reducesroad and parking congestion

Parksthat allowaccessforallpeople of allabilitiesto play and collect

High quality fitnessclasses

longer uninterupted trails;also - you are again askingformultiple answersbut providingaform field type that only allowsforone response

extreme sportspark

Parksthat bringtogetherthe community and give people hobbiesoran option to get out of theirhouse

A newrecreation centerwith alarge indoorpoolarea!

BMXSkate Park

Roads

Parksthat improve health/wellnessforALLresidents,includingthose with disabilities

Greenway and environmentalprotection If we lose ourgreen spacesWoodstock willlose itscharm and beauty so we should maintain it Greenway and patcheswould be amazing because Woodstock isnot awalkable city and I think it would be anotherthingto bringpeople to Woodstock to visit which would bringin revenue and help maintain the Greenway and paths

Nice roads

Don’t spend money on anythingnewjust fix and maintain existing

Community gardeningplots

Again why only one choice? Needlessly limiting I'd say 1 3 5 and 7

Please leave economic development out of the parksforGod'ssake!

Thisshould be multiple choice too The way the questionsare formatted makesme want to stop takingthe survey! Severalof these itemsare important you present it asapluralbut then only allow1 to be selected A fullsized indoorpool whicheverselection THAT fallsunder,please

G Fitnesspark

Parksand rec areasthat support the health and wellbeingof the people,placesand nature

Intertwiningand connectingpath system allowingfornature walkswith pets

Allof the above willhave amultitude of benefits

Specific thingsforourkids- skateboard park splash pads shade at existingparks

dogpark

Cant pick just one environmet,safe accessibilty,and expaaion if indooropportunities

Again meet needsof physically challenged ADA

Environmentalfriendly parks,update parkswe already have,build amuch betterpark w/splash pad and betterbathrooms!

Forget 25 yearsand focuson upgradingand maintainingwhat we have and providingmore classesnow

Dogpark,skate park

Wouldn’t let me pick more than one I think allof these are attainable but willtake planningand $

Trailsystem throughout Woodstock properAND unincorporated Woodstock to promote bikingwalkingrunningetc

Football

Allof the above

Safety of yourresidentsshould be first priority

It would be nice if I could pick more than one option

Allof the above but honestly I hope I’m not here in 25 yrsbc thisplace sucks!

betterbikingpaths

YES! Please put asplash pad in the Sonatas!! The sonatasisfullof children and they would benefit from it so much!!

Parksshould help provide corridorsforactive transit

Expand rec centerto increase amenitiesand improve numbers

Doesthe rec centercount aspart of this? If it doesit needsupgrades

Stop mowingRaintree &make it anative specieswetland/meadow!

Newindoorpoolforexercise and free swim Newlargerhot tub and saunawhich are currently used frequently at rec centersauna

Olympic size indoorpool

You mentioned an ice skatingrink in apreviousquestion and nowit'sallI can think about! I knowit'snot arealneed forthe community,but I would love arink here

We need abike path suited forfamilies! The one at Emricson park isnot suited wellforkids,the one by the high schoolistoo short and boring

Dogvaccination required fenced park @Emricson

Splash pad!

Ourcommunity isway behind on havingrecycle binson the square and in ourparks We need these Ourcommunity needsto be promotingpedestrian and bicycle transportation over airpollutingautomobiles He needsto be usingournaturalresources such assunlight forpoweringand lightingup ourcommunity

Please do not move the bandstand orgazebo in the Park in the Square The park in the Square isbeautifulasis Everyone,both residentsand visitors,lovesthe park in the Square

more focuson environment,native plants,community gardens

Bikingpaths Bathroomsforgrandchildren clean and safe facilities

Bike skillspark and pump track

Dick Tracy park community garden in collaboration with police station and localresidents Not forprofit subsistence community garden

Community golf course ormini golf drivingrange asan example MN haspublic coursesand are beautiful

It willbe nice to have an outdoorssplash areaforkids,specially forthe summerseason No cost

YesI believe we should eliminate wood chipsand put that mushy ground that CrystalLake veteransacreshas Itssaferforourchildren and itsgreat forchildren with disabilities Woodstock doesnot care about kidsbased offof theirparks Also we need restroomsand we need more colorfulparkscolorfulnessadd brightnessand Imagination ourkidsliveshaving these boringboringand not helpingchild development We need apark that issuitable fortoddlersallthe way up to 15-year-olds There should be certain sectionsin the park that makesit fun foreverybody Woodstock Makesit seem like once you turn seven yearsold you’re too old forapark which meansotherkidswillthen turn to otherthings

Plant more trees

I do like the ideaof adifferent location of the band stand on the square

Improve handicapped availability

Environmentalconservation must be taken into account at allparks

A sportscomplex with many fieldsso that we don’t have to travel45 minsforpractice

Replace Gould St Add and fix allthe sidewalksso people can go forasafe walk

Continue to develop and growthe parkssystem accountingforand anticipatingthe effectsof climate change and sustainability

Succession plantingfortreesat the parks

yes,please make abeautifulflowersgarden that everyone can enjoy and feellike they are in afairytale It willbe lovely and they have them alloverEurope,so we can totally have them here Just google, belvedere house garden forinspiration,they have severalpartsand afairy garden:)

BRINGBACKTHESPLASH PAD AT OLSON! Create more pathsto ensure accessformore people and bringin more activitiesto ALLparks bigand small to provide necessary community

Yeah! I have amap and plan that could connect Duffield,FairGrounds,Batespark by path And! Lotsof opportunity for“connectors” to subdivisionsalongthe way creatingaGreen Beltway away from 47 to interconnect Woodstock Ideacould extend to the square viaRaintree Park’sold roadbed

In my opinion,the Woodstock WaterWorkscould use alittle updating

Have NISRA bringmore optionsto Woodstock please

Would like to see somethinglike Lippold in Crystallake with more facilities

An Indoorgreenhouse with anature inspired park inside park inside

Please do somethingfordogpark with wateraccess

Not abigidea,but I think allof the pointstoward ensuringbetterinterconnectivity forpedestriansand bikersin both the parkssystem and elsewhere in the city isthe most important thingto me The main barrierto accessingparksforme isthat even though severalparksare close to my house,there are no sidewalksorsmallsidewalksalongbusy roadsasthe only way to accessbesidesdrivingto the park

We need amodern up to modern standardspark district recreation center Ourrec centerisdecrepit fartoo smalland way out of date The poolistiny and not at allfamily friendly with terrible waterquality The exercise facilitiesare crowded and equipment too close together We quit goingbecause itsnasty and small

I have some great picsfrom my trip with environmentalpark ideas

Fenced dogpark close to down town Maybe some type of splash pad by the fountain and clock areaacrossfrom ortmAns

It would be nice to have apark that othersfrom different communitieswant to utilize therefore increasingpossible revenue forthe city Currently we drive to crystallake orHuntley to use there parks

Newpark at Olson,more parksin neighborhoods,trailsto connect parks,greenway between Emricson and Donato,extension of Route 14 trailto the square

I think afewoffleash doggie areaswould be great

Look at Nevada The park system forneighborparksand sportsisawesome They have many smallerparksthat offeractivitiesforallrangesof kidsand individuals

Connectingexistingand potentialfuture paved trailswith an emphasison itsrecreationaluse forbikes,runners,etc

Bettercommunication with residents

Free dogparkswith shade and wateramenities

No woodchipsand easily accessible

Develop anewRec center,the size of ourislaughable followwhat CLdid and turf infieldsto make fieldsplayable in the springand maybe we can get adult leaguesback Have aleader who hasavision forthe development and expansion of servicesand programs Partnerwith localfeederteams,the Thunderprogram continuesto growand ourcomplex isprobably the poorest equipped to handle large gatherings,definetly alost chance at revenue Keep up with the timesand trends

A dogpark! If there are any unused baseballfields one could cheaply be converted to adogpark with the addition of gatesto the dugouts and the addition of trash receptacles A small annualuserfee/registration could be charged to coverthe dogpark maintenance

More areasforsafe bikingon and offroad

extreme sportspark

Expand the frisbee golf- have community eventsin the parksheard forallages

We should drive to have featuressuch asbike trailsand hikingtrailsthat bringpeople to town

Offleash dogaccessat allparksafewhoursaday Indicate if walkingpathsare seniorcitizen approved because they are flat levelorotherwise easy to walk on Indicatingthe degree of difficulty some howbefore I get out there and have to callrescue to get me out

Newrec centerwith amassive indoorpooland waterattractionslike waterslides,wave pool

When it comesto the Park in the Square I'd like to see if basically left alone,the quaintnessof the park isagreat draw Repairthe bandstand so that it'smore up to date and usable, leave the bandstand and the civilwarstatue where they are,no need to move them just forthe sake of movingthem alongwith the additionalcost The Park in the Square isbeautiful asit is,simple,timeless,peaceful

Upkeep

A more outdoorpoolswould aside from the waterpark that already exists

A skatepark that can drawpeople from afar A skatepark like the one in lake Genevaand the newone in Evanston can add economic benefitsaswellasasafe place forskateboarding

Potentially providingassistance to community organizationsthat are lookingto build community centers

Mountain bike park

Trashcansat every entrance

Zip line type equipment at play park I knowmany kidsand some adultsthat would enjoy skate park/bike park

Would love to see the lot at Dean St/Bloomfield/Herculesdeveloped with adrive through forpeople to park,apavilion with picnic tablesand asmallplay structure fortbe community to use forgatherings

A handson nature centerforchildren of allageswould be agreat addition

Woodstock needsaskate park!

Emricson Park hasso much potentialbut it’sfeelsso neglected The pond should be dredged to improve it’squality,vendorand/orrecreationalequipment rentalfacilitiescould be placed at the old poolsite to invite more guests Youth footballshould be moved out of the park since it takesup so much space from otheropportunitiesand it only occupiesthe land from July-October

Skate park,park equipment foradultsto exercise

Create afacility foryouth baseballand soccerprogramsto practice indoorsin Falland Winter Currently they rent facilitiesat $150+an hourin Huntley and CL That revenue and bday party rentalscan help support afacility locally instead

We need more fishingand picnic areassafe foryoungkidsand adultsalike

Would love to see RyderWoodsconverted into amountain bikingsystem and biking/walkingpathsfrom Apple Creek thoughout town to be able to travelsafely

A skate park

Woodstock to develop askate park Nothingspecialat least ahalfpipe

More conservation districtsfprpurwildlife,and lesshuntinglicenses Stop encroachingon ourfarm land while youre at it

A welllit skate park forkidsto play

SKATEPARKFOR MORETHAN JUST SKATEBOARDING

We need an alternative sportspark meaningdedicated to sportslike skateboarding orrollerskating ordisc golf etc asocialplace

I would love to see more optionsforchildren and youngadults (BEWARNED:THIS MIGHT CREATENOISEAND ATTRACT YOUNGMEN WHO SCAREYOU) Thistown haslost so many recreation optionsforkids Even the mini golf placeshave been turned into marijuanaoperationsand churches What kind of community isthat? Where isakid in Woodstock supposed to blowoffsteam? Don't create more pickleballcourts Don't do more niche thingsforthe retireesof the world Create more basketballcourts Create more multi-use fields that can be used forpickup soccergames (AGAIN I CAUTION YOU THIS WILLATTRACT THEKINDS OF PEOPLEI KNOWYOU DON'T WANT BUT GUESS WHAT? THAT'S BAD AND EVERYONEKNOWS IT) We don't need to reinvent the wheelhere folks Basketball soccer walking/runningpaths maybe askate park Keep it simple maintain it and be sure we're servingEVERYONEin town

Connect parkswith bike and walkingpaths

Emricson Park could have so much opportunity to bringin large groupsforspecialgatherings Build astage in some location and utilize the space Dont change the Square thatstruly what bringspeople out to Woodstock Build on DavisRoad orRaintree Park and make those somethingto be proud of We have them but dont utilize the space at all Be Proud of what we have and understand why Woodstock isWoodstock,Ourcurrent Mayorisonly interested in hisown personalexpansion of Woodstock and hasno ideawhy the people want it to stay asit ison oursquare Thisisnot acity councildecision it should be everyone'sand they have certaily shown on socialmediawhat they think about changingand movinghistorical structureson the square

Newrec center with newpool(s) steam room sauna programs pertinent courtsforindoorsports I moved here from Arlington

I currently go to Planet Fitnessfortheirunique equipment and lowcost I do have amembership to the rec centerbut theirequipment isold,not trustworthy,cramped I knowthe rec centercan be betterif money wasapplied

I have 3 youngchildren,so I have primarily participated by enjoyingpublic space and playgrounds I would LOVEto see parksand rec develop more forthe community to be modeled more like apark district Once Woodstock getsinto aspace of maintainingand updatingcurrent facilities(clean ups,addingbathrooms,etc) I would love to see programsforyouth such asstructured summercamps,before and afterschoolprograms(kidsclub through D200 alwayshasawaitlist),and increased programmingforyouth,even anew"Youth Center" building that could accommodate and host summercamps,additionalyouth leagues,yearlongprogrammingand even rentalsforscout groups,etc In adigitalage the human connection forour children isso important

An amazingdogpark please!!

Linkarkos@gmailcom - if you actually want this contact me

Lesssand and mulch Bettergrounds

Please plant more treesin Sweetwaterand Sonatas,there isalmost no shade

A wellconnected greenway throughout the city would be very nice

Keep future generationsin mind,maintain parks,add splash padsfortoddlers,wellshaded picnic areasto encourage socialgatherings,play dates,add wellmaintained fieldsto encourage ouryouth to stay outside playinginstead of sittingwith theiriPad indoors

Interconnect pathsfrom one park to residualareassimilarto Cary IL Neverhave go on the streetsto get around

No Majorchangesto the Park on the Square Do not move the Square Monument! Do not move the SpringHouse! Do not move the Band Stand

WENEED A DOGPARK

No

A bike park

MOREDOGPARKS

Make atrailfrom the creek behind batespark,acrossawetland boardwalk to Marian high schoolthat then crosses120 into that little neighborhood,then into the peat woodland behind Wendyswhere the homelesspeople live then acrossthe fairground to duffield pond that connectsto the otherside of duffield and maybe go through the bullvalley sanctuary to connect to that bullvalley dogpark even though people in bullvalley have huge yardsfortheirdogs so make that into agiant prairie and somehowconnect that to the lime pit in the middle of that field behind walrose manor

No just more pathsforexample there isaplan forthe NWMC to have abike path from edision park to crystallake Why not expand thisplanned facility to downtown Woodstock The majority of it between Woodstock and crystallake isthere We just need that finalportion into Woodstock

Please dont change the Park in the Square! If you want aplace forconcertsetc build one somewhere where there isalarge areaforthe event and adequate parking

forbid development in ecologically important orunstable areas;expand nature preserves&education about naturalresourcesand why thisisimportant

Work with the McHenry County Conservation District to connect trailswith Woodstock City Parksforbiking walking runningand hikingforallagesto enjoy

Public drivingrange and swingsat my localprairie ridge park would make my family happy An updated/newRec Centerwould be awesome,with indoorpool A public golf course within city limitswould be fantastic;the clubsin town are private and Craig/CrystalWoodsare too far/on the outskirtsof town

Large recreationalcenterthat includesindoorand outdoorturfed facilitiesto attract regional,state and globalsportingevents Also,convertingthe quarry offof route 14 into asmall recreationallake,like 3 oaksin CL

That they are maintained very well Before any bigidea howabout you take care of what you have

Preserve the history and aesthetic appealof the Square Eventssuch asthe FarmersMarket are agreat benefit to ourcommunity asawhole

we need askatepark/bmx park and apump track and mtb skillstrails

A extreme sportspark forbicycles/ skateboards/ scooters

A skatepark

Skate/BMXpark

I live in the Apple Creek neighborhood One BIGideaisforabike path alongDean Street from the neighborhood to the north side of Route 14 Westwood schooland Westwood neighborhoodsare connected to the main part of town with safe pathways Since we have two schoolsin Apple Creek subdivision I feelthat there should be asafe pathway into town aswell Thiswould also promote recreation and exercise forfamilies

Indoorpooland fitnessfacility forwintertime activitiesforpeople with disabilities

I just would like it to be specialneed friendly Somewhere where we dont have to think twice to take out children there and where we feelthey willbe safe and enjoy theirtime at the park And hopefully they can make classesgeared more towardsspecialneed kidsaswell

More splash pads

Make sure there isone child park that isaccessible to wheelchairsand walkers

Build anewrec centerin the city park

Dogpark

More paved walkingpathsforhumansand petsaswellasavailable waterfountainsalongthe path

Bigideas but stop usingourtax dollarsforthe square enough already We have ahigh schoolthat isby Merryman Field that hastenniscourtsthat are cracked walkingpathsthat are awfuland apoolwe asresidentscant use

Check out the RecPlex in Pleasant Prairie There’snothingno like that around here and would bringpeople to ourtown!

Build mountain bike parks Look at Bentonville Arkansas

More prairie conservation! And related education programs

I would like to see changesand fundsbe used in aresponsible way to benefit residentsforthe long-term without incurringafinancialburden

I believe there are adequate sportsfacilitiesin Woodstock If I see much more develop,that would be agreat shame

Apple Creek hasabigempty lot in the front of the neighborhood There isan excellent opportunity to put apavilion splash pad basketballcourt pickleballetc

Fish and nice roads

The square isthe heart of the town and itsunique charactermust be preserved

Safe connection forbikersfrom McConnelto Northwest Highway

The park in Sweetwaterneedsmore trees,I've thought about plantingmy own

More native plantings installation of native prairie orshrubsand trees

Repair Build to expand creativity

Betterlightingof frequently used fields

A playground park in that biggrassy areanearthe train station

Update the poolat the rec centerorbuild anewone

Maintain the TennisCourtsbetterand add anice outdoorPickle ballcourt thatsheated

Would like to see more artsand craftsworkshops Also avolunteerprogram forseniorsand othersto help maintain and share the parks Develop 'skin in the game'

Turn the old burgerkinginto an indoorplay place that familiescan use yearround instead of travelingto othertownsto utilize those play spacesespecially in wintertimes Great anew mini golf course

Do not put an amphitheaternext to the train station itsnot the right location forlarge events

It would be nice to have “nature” playgrounds

You have adiamond in the rough with Woodstock Dolphins Partnerwith them to build acommunity centerwith 50-meterpoolon die cast land There isareason itsstillempty and that’sbecause itsbest suited asamultipurpose location forconnection,physicaland mentalhealth From membershipsto group eventsand more creatingspace forpeople to learn, thrive and exceltogetherwould have myriad benefits People use it asthat right now,why not give them abetterfoundation formore activities?

I wish there wasabeach facility like Three Oaksin CrystalLake

Parksneed to be easily accessed by allmodesof transportation I would to see the city connect the public to the parks Make them accessible

Betterbikinglanes/locationsplease!

Take alook at the areacommunities,CrystalLake,Huntley,Cary and make ourparksbetterlike theirs Partnerwith the leaguesthat provide ourkidswith sportingactivitiesto help improve Have you been aThunderYouth footballgame? Why can't they have anormalfootballfield and facility like allthe othercommunities? And BatesPark,so many gameshappen there and it isrun down aswell I think the bathroom isusually closed to keep the homelessout and that concession stand isneveropen

Ensuringaccessto an AED in allparks/sportingfieldsforresident and athlete safety (Ie sportingeventshosted in Emricson do not have accessto an AED)

For#17 - I would highlight both the "high-quality and connected system of greenways " AND "Parksthat protect environmentalhealth " asthe two (2) most important things Woodstock park system could do

Please create more walking/bikingpathsto connect different areasof Woodstock to parks

Neighborhood adopt apark day

Stop taxingand spendingmoney

Plant more trees

At the Appelcreek park there are scratchesand burnssome placesand I would like to add more stuffto it and maybe re-bulid but it’salso really smalland I would like to have apicnic bench

More naturalareas,lesslawnsthat need mowing,more plant diversity,and more environmentaleducation

Hopefully the construction in the Olson Park isgoingto be anew,improved,and awesome splash pad

Again,develop the remainingDie Cast property into an open areaavailable forevents,includingthe Farmer'sMarket that isgettingtoo bigforthe Square Also possible to include there aCommunity Center/Indoor-OutdoorSwimmingPool

Fix the disc golf padsat Emricson and I would love afull18 hole park,worthy of PDGA play/events

Woodstock pridesitself on beingan environmentaland sustainable community we need to start actually livingby that Stop usingchemlawn orsimilarcompaniesthat spray allthe parks includingthe naturalareas Preserve naturalareas,properly care forthe trees,plant newnative trees Havingaflashy park ortwo to hold eventsisgreat and I support that But,forthe daily residentswe also want parksthat are comfortable to use forrecreation,enjoyingbeingoutside without allthe programming

Newindoorwashrooms

Recycle containersat each park—More bicycle pathsto and from parksinclusive of safe bicycle parking— solarlighting

Sorry I really only use them forwalkingand joggingand formy needsEmricson Park worksterrific

Safety pathsto get into town from outersubdivisions

Courtsat allneighborhood parks

Yes dont move around the statue and gazebo and springhouse in the square park You just spent allthat money fixingthe foundation of the statue Fix the missingbricks again a hazard Maintain the park,it isfine the way it is No childrensgamesornoisy programs It isanice place to sit and listen to music,eithercity band orfarmersmarket Leave it alone, beautify it with say apollinatorgarden and fix the missingbricksin the walks Trim and clean up the existingvegetation Afterthe gazebo and springhouse are repaired MAINTAIN them instead of lettingthem get to the point of fallingdown

Functionalbike trailsin the city Road and off-road Not just an added lane that cyclist could use egDean St The Dean St cycle lane isnot optimal and in my opinion it isnot asafe lane to cycle If you want to have acommunity that valuesphysicaland mentalwellness then the city needsto cultivate that culture with ourcurrent amenities and expandingforthe future Please dredge the pondsat Emricson

A walkway overorunderRt 47 I have seen people risk theirlivesto crossthat highway,includinghandicapped people! It would certainly help people to walk,run,orbicycle safely to and from the parks

equine facilities

Havinglived multiple otherplaces I can say that Woodstock hasapretty good park system It'snot fantastic but it'sgood forthe size of the city I'm way to faraway from Emricson so havinga busy park closerto the nortwest side (Merryman??) would be nice

Maintain Merryman Park,No herbicide around smallOaks!

Extendingthe paved bike/hikingpath from the intersection of Lake/US 14 to the western city limitsalongUS14

Need betterdogpark/more treesthingsforthem to do Get side walksin the the olderareawhere they're spotty

Do NOT change the park in the square The town centershould NOT have an amphitheater

A fullsized indoorpool A permanent music space at Emericson too

Newpaint on McConnellroad park Indoorpoolwaterpark

Naturalparkslike the one they have in mchenry by the skate park! Really coolconcept of incorporatingnature into play Anotherpark in crystallake hasaman made stream/creek that a lot of kidsplay in I would love to see somethinglike that here in Woodstock

Accessible park with swingsand equipment foradultswith disabilitiesWith awarm watersplash pad

A HUGEpark with areasto climb and play music and run around - HarvesterPark in BurrRidge isagood example I’ve seen!

YES! Splash Padsand runningwaterbathrooms

teen friendly work out areas

More dogparks

No

A go kart racingtrack,doesn’t have to bigamile longbut shouldn’t be alittle circle in the middle of no where

Gardenspeople can go and take care of

Chxvkxlgc

I think they should add aplace forvolleyballcourtsforpeople to come in and practice

Make them saferforkidsto play without parentshavingto be helicopterparents

Golf course ice skatingrink need to have hockey available and trailsfordirt bike

take care of the grass

they should have pools

Tenniscourts

PLEASEIMPROVELIGHTINGWHICH WILLIMPROVESAFETY

No,currently not at the moment

MAKERESTROOMS

Make abigcoolskate park

Skateboard Park

more waterbased stuff

Nope

Very nice baseballand softballfields

Like the movies

Not

Anythinglike indoorpools,more options

more fieldsforspecific sports

indoormartialartsroom

To make parksalittle bit bigger

I want there to be more soccerfieldsorspacesforboxing

dirtbike friendly

Dirt bike tracks/ridingtrailformotorized vehicles

18 hole golf course

Havingmultiple volleyballcourtsorsoccercourtswould make more teenage kidscome to the park

Pools,it’sthe biggest part of Woodstock duringthe summer!!

It would be great to have the allinclusive park orwhat they calla third place

No

No

Any bigprojectsthe city considersundertakingshould protect the historicalintegrity of the city keep within planned budgets and protect the environment especially water

Make Woodstock waterworksbigger

Make longerslides,

Outdoorskatingrink duringthe winter

More waterparks

More soccerfields

BATHROOMS at every park

Make it so itsmore assesable forpeople with cisabilitiesand have apoolthatsopen allyearround

Keep It Stupidly Simple

Please please do not alterorremove anythingin the historic,iconic Woodstock square park Thiswould be atravesty

DOGPARK&SKATEPARK

Splash pad with specific hoursforsmallchildren ( underage 5/6)

Field house would be amazing

No

Maintain

Parksthat are caterto allages Right knowthe elderly are left out of safe,enjoyable areas

Splash padsand improve outdated playgrounds

Stop lookingto build and develop land forcommerce Focuson the needsof health and nature not buildingwealth in Woodstock

No

More well-rounded play structures/activity centersand accessible forallneeds(handicap inclusion)

Dedicated mt bike trailsthat can be used in the winterforfatbikes

Expand dirt trials Connect with bike lanesorpaths

It would be great to have the Forth of July become an allday affairat the city park like it used to be When the MooseVfwand othernonprofitsmade some money by sellingfooddrink dunk tanks pony ridesecetraand helped pay forthe fireworksplusby lettingpeople legally drink at the park you had atone of cookoutsin the park everyone meetingneighbors your friendsparentsand so on A smallconcert some fire men havingwaterfightsand use ingthe naturalamphitheaterforviewingground displaysmade foragreat and profitable day

TAKECAREOF WHAT WEHAVE Do not move downtown monument and music stage/platform waste of money Fix what isbroken in ourexistingparksasfundingallows Promote fewerhigh cost desk jobsand implement field positionswith motivated personnelthat don’t sit in theirtrucks

Park forrentalwith bathroom facilitiesand splash pad option,would be beneficialforfamiliesforhostingfamily events Cary hasfairly newpark,Kaperpark that providesrental,similarto thisidea

Please build amore robust Recreation Centerwith aminimum of 4 basketballcourtsavailable

dedicated paved orunpaved pathsforbikesthat don't have to share the road with carsthat could connect to otherexistingdedicated pathsin the county

The Die Cast site next to the train station should be turned into amulti use park where farmersmarket and city festivalscan be held and also abeautifulplace to relax complimentingthe square

I think more night programscould be really cool/fun! Especially in the falland summer A large conservation area/trailpark would also be really great like the one in crystallake

My BIGGEST ideaisto keep the Square the way it is None of this"re-do the Square" and have an amphitheatre The most absurd thingI have EVER HEARD! The Square IS Woodstock!!!! Don't messwith it

Focuson environmentalprotection and education

More opportunitiesforthe disabled especially children

Have somewhere to ice skate with rentals

BetterDisc Golf Courses!

More areasoraccesspathwaysforcycling adogpark bathroom access shade accessforparksthat don’t maintenance on the multipurpose areas and updated playgrounds/equipment

Splash pad

Bikingtrails

Need adogpark arEmerison

Have nature/ park walkswhere tou learn about plantsand animalsthat live around forkids

Outdoorice hockey and rollerhockey! With boardsorfencing nets and lights

Upgrade the Emricson disc golf course (maybe add another9 holes?) Build anotherone in town too!

A newRec centershould be built

Bigidea- smallidea expand accessand connection through paved trails and don't forget strategically placed benchesalongthe way!

Addinglotsof bike /walkingpathsconnectingparksand providingaccessthrough roadwaysthat don’t have sidewalks Bike pathsthat connect to crystallake /algonquin paths

Splash pads

Have more public soccerspaces

Bike paths/trailsthat connect the entire city More green space everywhere More trees Lessparkinglots More classesand opportunitiesforyouth Buy farmland/vacant land in woodstock and turn it into community gardens/green space Lessindustrialsitesand single crop farms

Safe bike lanesand otherareasto connect between parks

Splash pad park nearthe woodstock poolorin abigand accessible neighborhood,BIKEPATHS!!,more nature paths

Get newleadership at Rec center

Bike path to the parks

Balance protect environments,improve exisitingparks,modernize spaceswith flush toilets,ask the community to be aworkin(skin in the game) improvement teams

A carouselin the square like CentralPark!

Add more pathsin nature A free gated dogpark that hasshade Investment in greeningthe city Addingmore plantsand tree in urban areasand out in nature

Make more children/toddlerprogramsavailable in the even forworkingparents

Accessibility and thingsforkids/teensto do

Sizable Indoorpooland pathsorsidewalksthat connect at the very least

Buildingmore oaky areasforkidslike Knox park where kidscan play in the shaded forest and itsaplay area

More pickleball!!!

Bike/walkingpaths

Add outdoorworkout areasat apark

A park with an outdoormusic shellorstage

Community Slash Pad,crazy that the only way they are raisingfundsforthisright noware based on donationsforthe MelissaO’Leary fund

Allowresidentsto native plant in smallempty spaces

A destination park that’sbigand epic and fun Orsomethinglike wahoo woodsin du Mande that allowskidsto play with nature in really coolways!

Some really awesome unique swings! A neighborhood garden forthe whole community!

no

I do think that renovatingoutdoorbasketballcourts(Ground,lighting,and possibly “domed”) would bringsuch agreat environment and attraction forlocalsand out of town population

Would love to add some shade to the parks

Havingalarge indoorsportsfacility would greatly like the one nearMcHenry Community College would bringin revenue yearround aswellasbringin neighboringcommunities Hosting eventsand havingindoorleagueswould also be an enjoyment Disc golf coursesincorporated throughout the parkswhetherthey be short orlong

At least one accessible park in Woodstock No mulch Ramps,accessible swings,smooth ground surfaces

Woodstock isin need of ayouth footballfield

A splash pad Fenced in free dogpark Biggerpool betterfood in there aswell

We could really use asplash pad similarto the one VetrensAcreshasEmericson hasso much potentialand I’m sure there are otherareasof land the city can also utilize

Free dogpark,newrec centerwith betterindoorpool,splash pad,expand the bike path up rt 14

Outdoor/nature themed exploringplay area Maybe includinginformational/handson nature playgrounds

Naturalize alarge portion of the parkswith historically native plant speciesso we do not continue to contribute to the destruction of ourplanet Alongside that,offerpublic education for people to understand why it isso important that we change howwe utilize resources

Splash pad

Expand Woodstock Waterworksit isoften so crowded that it isn't fun orsafe

Bigfishinglake and betternature trailsto get kidsnore involved in the outdoor

More sportsclassesforlittle kids And stop makingallthe classesduringworkingpeople hours

More splash pads

Availability of atrack forrunningwould be wonderful

YES! I would LOVEto see aMiracle League park! https://wwwmiracleleaguecom/ I visited family in Dubuque and they have amiracle league park with all-inclusive playground and it wasablast! To see people of allcapabilitiesplayingand gettingto watch an all-inclusive baseballgame wasawesome

Indoorwaterpark! Doesn't have to be huge ,but would be nice if it wasand house the lap swimming/open swim too!

Anewindoorpoolnearthe outdoorpool

Skate park!

Splash pad with no fee to access An ice skatingrink and hockey arena/rink

More wateractivities-addingont to poolwith the splash pad addinganotherbigslide forolderkids Possibly havingbiggerindoorpoolthat familiescould go to oreven rent out Add more sportsclassesforthe youngerage

Ravinualike Outdoormusic venue that can serve asapicnic and food court foreventsto bringin avariety of entertainment bigand small

Biggerproperty

Bigareaformultiple splash pads

Destination place forsocializingforALLages Research titletowncom - GreenBay WI nailed it!! Archery park - research BlackwellArchery Park at dupageforestorgnailed it!! DogParks, ice rinksand fishing Add on orupdate Rec Centeroptions

Bike pathsto connect allparkswould be helpful

It would be great to have anewrec centerthat had indoorswimmingwith multiple lanes)6-8) and officiallengths25m

Newupdated playgroundsand more nature walkingpaths

Upgrade the youth footballprogram area! We upgraded every othersportingareaand have done nothingforfootball

Not bigideas,bunch if smallones Want to get youth if allagesout of there homes? Make available thingsthat are not available in you standard sports We have plenty of sportsfields Letsget involved in otherthings Dogwalking(playing),fishing,hockey,ice skating,skate and bike parks

It would be great to have parksenclosed to keep children safe and easierforparents&care giversto bringyoungchildren to the parks

Ability to swim at the hs- currently only studentsand teacherscan

Child care forcaretakersto work out

With the amazingorchestraprogramsin ourschoolswe need an outdoorband shell/orchestravenue

Concertsat parks

We should have asplash pad and iceskatingat Emricson!

Allowalcoholback at Emrichson like it wasyearsago More people would have socialgatherings

There are so many empty buildingsin Woodstock Indoorsportscomplex,newrec center,indoorpoolwith lap swim,and recreation pool,indoorbattingcages,allseem like thingsour community could use,to eitherfillthose empty buildingsorstart brand new A destination indoorwaterpark combined with ahotelwould be an amazingaddition

Ninjacourse

I think Woodstock hasdone awonderfuljob of creatingand maintainingourparks Emricson park isajewel

Move the fairgrounds! Im very serious,the traffic ishorrible Havingonly one way in/out createsahuge bottleneck We really enjoy the rodeo/bullridingand demo derby,but might not go in the future due to traffic issues Create some mountain bike trails,not paved trails There'sadecent size mountain bike community here,but we allhave to go somewhere else to ride

Emricson Park isbeautiful It needsto be maintained MUCH betterorit willdeteriorate quickly Dead fallingovertreesneed to be trimmed up orremoved entrance way in to the park could be more invitingwith flowersand attractive signs Why not use the space in the park to build anewrec centerso everythingcould be in one place and outdooractivitieswould be easy to monitororeducate

Splash pad like nearby community'sthat are free not in woodstock waterworks!

Swimmingfacilitiesto betteraccommodate folksin wheelchairsand those with amentaldisability like autism

Improve and add to the basketballcourts Also askate park!

Increase SportsCourts Increase DogParks Add Skate Parks Add pickleballcourts Add more bike paths/trailsthat can connect to allareaswithin Woodstock

Dogpark,splash pad,family friendly areawhere food truckscan come and playground forkids

I really think the areajust north of the square could be an absolutely beautifulpark with fountains gardens dogparks playgroundsetc maybe some food truck parking

Upgrade the current parks,they are fallingapart Mary Ann park hasanewproblem in the summer Allthat isdone ispapersayingpark closed Take care of the problem Also equipment isso old!!! They need to be upgraded to safe and also newplay areas Not parksthat are fallingapart and fullof rust

I would love to see more areasand placesforyoungerfamiliesto get together Thingstend to be stuffy and geared toward the oldergeneration orthe teen outliers(an adverage young family feelsout of place)

Would love to have aband shellto accommodate allsizesof entertainment Local regional and nationalactsto perform in

Splash pads!!! please

More naturalenvironmentsforhikingand walking

I would love alargerrec centerwhere there isadequate space forallprograms includingaparent areaforprogramsforsmallchildren Havingagymnasticsand tumblingprogram in town would be great

Do not relocate structuresin Park in the Square:and promote people connectingwith each other

Just want abetterDogPark

Anotherpool/splash pad

Would really love areal25 yd indoorlap poolto swim

So much money isleavingwoodstock because we do not have the facilitesto provide next levelprogramssuch asAAU basketball travelbaseball traveltennis lacross etc the rec centerisajoke,itstiny,barely offersenough room foranythinglargerthen 1 basketballgame thisneed to change we should focuson buildingalarge facility so programsno not have to leave town to rent space to practice allyouth sportsare spendingmoney in othertown that the city could easily be takingin

There isplenty of smart waysto expand the disc golf areainto atop tiercourse Also more walkwaysand greenways

Garden

Please partnerwith Harvard and Marengo to construct abike path/munti-use path connectingthe townson 14 and 23

Please get that splash pad done Asaresident with two youngchildren,I’m tired of havingto leave my community and go to othertownsand spend money there to use theirparks Get asplash pad

Betterinside Recreation Center

Keep waterwaysprotected they are unique and precious Add walking/bikingpathssouth of 14 down Dean St to connect the headwaterspark Bike/walkingpath allthe way up Queen Ann to connect to the Hebron trailto Woodstock forbikinggroups Advertise recreationaloutingsforCity folk to take the train out with theirbikesand bike through the lovely countryside Bike and train pub crawls

Please don't change the Park in the Square!

Although not my bigidea I support anewlarger first-classRec Centerwith more programming/classesand more varied programming/classesforALLages Also with more and varied equipment available at allhours Also with indoorpool/whirlpool,therapeutic massage availability,and waterexercise classes

Emericson needshelp

We need anewrec center-badly It should connect with the city park orsomethingto make it more "part" of the overallsystem

Most neighborhood parkslack any native plantings it would be nice to see parksbeingmore than asquare piece of grasswith some swings

I think protectingthe environment through the parkssystem could lead to more environmentalclassesand awareness

Parksand Rec should be the highlight of the town,much like Three OaksisforCrystalLake Pick one park and make it adestination

BUILD A BRAND NEWRECREATION CENTER!! So very much needed!!

I would LOVEabike trailthat connectsvariousWoodstock parks

Ice SkatingRink Splash Pad on the North Side of Town Concession Stand and Pavilion at Merryman AdditionalShelterin Emricson

Woodstock needsto leverage the available space,volume of vehiculartraffic,and interest in outdoorsportsto develope adestination similar(but better) to Three OaksRecreation Area Fishing,Archery Range,Trap/Skeet Course,Pistol/Rifle Range,Hiking,Camping,everythingresidentslook forin every othertown but Woodstock

Any kind of woodstock owned music venue needsto be in Emricson park!!!those of uswho live right offthe square are tired of music from the square,fairgroundsand Nikos! Yeswe can hearall3! Do not run usout by buildingmore entertainment where people live &kidsgo to school!! It willalso clogup ourstreets&since woodstock hasbad ordinancesforpeoples properties,many don’t have actualdrivewaysorgaragesso they park on the street allthe time They willcontinue to need those spacesbut by addingmore live entertainment,it’llclog ourstreetsand create an unsafe environment forourkids!!! Madison isalready aspeed trap north of church st,don’t get blood on yourhandsin the name of popularity!!!

We would love more lightsat batespark especially field 6 Field 2 also needsamajorrenovation

Lotsof land not too faraway willalwaysbe USED

REALBATHROOMS A splash pad at the largest park

Would love to see dedicated pickballcourtssomewhere in the city And/oradd linesto existingtenniscourtsto make them multi-use?

More bike lanesto parks Free splash pad like in McHenry/CrystalLake!

Community garden,splash pad

Please build asplash pad!

Thank you forthissurvey opportunity Thisseemslike agreat way to reach the community We can’t allcome to the town hallmeetings

Please fix the broken pavement at the Merriman Fieldstrails

Fix the parkingon top of Emricson hill

Overall,there'salready good programmingand park systemsin place Creatingmore walking/bikingroutesand crosswalksso that the parksare accessible foreveryone,would be amazing

Largerpark district recreation center Too cramped,looksunclean inside,largerheated pool

Safe crossingat rt 47 and country club road

Please have recyclingbinsat the parks,more nice benches

I feelrecreationalopportunitiesshould attract people from otherareasand increase the wellbeingof ourcommunity Make Woodstock awelcomingcommunity

I need to respect the open landsthat we have where they are finite Please dont sellit to the highest bitter orsome bigcompanies bigidea

Tennisand/orPickleballeveningplay programs

Need to upgrade and keep up parks They could be so much better Emerikson Parknusunderutilized

Keep with the maintenance of each park available now

I believe we should start with the neighborhood parks,and then go to biggerpartsbecause the biggerparkspeople come from everywhere but the neighborhood parksare forthe community It seemslike Woodstock forgetsabout itscommunity and triesto cateroutsidersbefore us

Do NOT move the Bandstand

Plant more treesin Sweetwaterand Sonatasplaygrounds

Make parksaccessible forhandicapped

We need basic amenitiesat allparks(safety bathrooms areasforthe disabled etc)

city indoorpoolisnot suited forlarge size of waterclasses use native plantsand bushesand treeswhen plantinganywhere in the city

Tripsto the museumsand Chicago Explore,investigate

Make Woodstock easierto navigate with safe walkingtrailsand bike paths

People need to be outside in nature Please don't destroy naturalareaslike RydersWoodswith paved pathsand a“pasteurized” version of “natural”! And please no more structuresin the Square park We need that green jewelin ourcity!

Please dont change the square

No subdivision offLucasroad It willhurt ourcommunity that tried stayingin the country More housesthat look like each otherisnot redundant of aone another

Alternative lifestyle groupshave too many activitiesand make usfeelunsafe

AllI care about isthat we have nice waysto walk and bike to ourparks:)

I don’t think I mentioned thisquite enough,but BRINGBACKTHESPLASH PAD!

Benchesand picnic tablesin the square were awesome duringthe pandemic Would be amazingto bringthem allback Tree planingalongroads benchesaround the square permitter

I don't want to see the park in the square changed Fix the springboksand gazebo,but don't move anything Love oursquare

Please dont go crazy changingthe Woodstock Square

Largerindoorpoolforyearround use,expanded hoursat outdoorpoolfacility

Howlonghave residentsbeen sayingwe'd like to see walkability and bike-ability paths/sidewalksimproved? Betterconnectivity to parksfrom anywhere in the city,and fix/build newrec centershould be top priority

Shortersurveyswilldrive engagement from abroaderaudience

More healthy opportunitiesin wintermonthslike anewrec centerwith awarm therapy pool

Woodstock needsto put alittle more focuson itsactualresidentsand not on tourism

815-451-9350 Gwen VanSteen

Investigation of othernearby communitiesthat have packed parks

Make them accessible to localsand guests

CrystalLake's'VeteransAcres' &Cary's'Timbertown' are destination parksthat are desireable in McHenry County Thanksforyourservice!

Leave the square asis

Be open and clear,allthiswork goingon and nowwe have aopen house and survey? Howmuch planningand input went into allthe current projects I've also heard (maybe they're wrong) that the splash pad willbe inside of Waterworks That makesno sense,have asplash pad available forallresidentsof the town,not just members

Establish amission statement forWoodstock Parksand Recreation One that everyone can referto when presentingnewideas Statement could include the wordsaccessible, intergenerational,maintainably,affordable,environmentally sound and somethingforfuture generationsto build on and enjoy

Trailsand eventsthat bringpeopleFrom othercommunities

You are doingagreat job! Thank you forasking

The park in the square willbe achallenge in orderto maintain asense of the downtown history and also serve future use needs There should be athorough community engagement processforfeedback before any next stepsare taken

Maintain what already ishere

Build mountain bike park

Thank you forallthe great work the Woodstock Public Worksand Recreation doesforthe town already!

Please put agarbage can in the ryderswoodsparkinglot! Thank you

A community garden would be great to have aswell

Why? Woodstock doesn’t listen to itsresidents

Would encourage the city to preserve the city square park and itsamenities,includingexistingmemorials

Adult Volleyballfacilitiesindoorwould be supported Current outdoorleaguesgo to CLto play indoor

My kidswish the park in apple creek subdivision had abasketballcourt

I believe the rec centerisvery dated Woodstock could certainly use anewand up to date rec center

A smallskate park with only afewobstacleswould greatly change woodstock

What for? Mayor'sgonnamayor

Would like security camerasin main park areasconnected to police

Most important I feelisto listen to the people in the community truly listen!

Asaswimmer,I would love to have accessto a25 meterindoorpoolforthe cold months I wasamemberof the Rec Centerforafewyears The facilitiesare ok,abit outdated and grungy in the lockerroom The poolseemed to be extrachlorinated It would be great to have anewpoolthat isalso affordable forcommunity members

Clean up and freshen allparks,focuson anewrec center,and we must take care of the repairsorthe streetsand road disintegration!

I live in Applewood and McConnellpark hasatenniscourt that isneverused fortennis Many have asked forthe court to be made up astwo pickleballcourtsand nothing,nothinghas happened It seemseasy to create with newlinesand acouple of nets

Linkarkos@gmailcom - if you actually want this,contact me

I appreciate the numberof facilitiesand activitiescurrently available but do think some improvementswould be nice

Use socialmediato promote people fillingout surveysand hearingmore opinions People are really quick to add their2 centson the Facebook group Utilize socialmediawith pollsto hearvoices Not everyone isable to attend city councilmeetings

Bike pathsand safe sidewalksorsidewalksin general itsnot fun takingyourbaby forawalk in astrollerdown roads we need sidewalks!

Many times,thingsare changed forthe sake of change The people that push forthese changesmove away Then many yearslater,the changesare reversed at great expense,to bring back to the originalstate

I think it’simportant to think about sustainability and makingsure parksare good forthe environment Havingmore areasfornative plantsI think isboth important and also providesa great opportunity formakingparksmore beautifuland providingeducation

WENEED A DOGPARK

NA

Forfamily's,havingparksthat accommodate the kidsand the adults So placesforthe kidsto play and the adultsto rest/relax Standingunderatree forshade isn't very comfortable

Betterground materialforpathsat RydersWoodsorfind some otherareawhere people walk/bike around abody of water

Don’t change the square just improve itscurrent look and feel Add more bike pathsand bike lanes

Bike park PLEASE

Please use money and resourceswisely,since many residentsthink the new"Branding" wasawaste of money

Change the regulationsso allconstruction hasto have connectingsidewalksso we don’t have dirt pathsalloverWoodstock Also it’slike froggercrossingthe streetslet’swork on making pedestriansthe priority

Woodstock hasthe unique opportunity to set aside land forfuture parksand recreation before that land isdeveloped Please look at puttingaside thisland forfuture development and forfuture generations Once it isgone it isvery difficult to reclaim

I’d be curiousto knowabout Woodstock prioritiesand what the generalconsensusishere? A million dollarbudget willhave amuch biggerimpact on smallerscale projectsasopposed to anewdevelopment Unlessthere’sasurplushere allocated towardspark and rec we would be wise to considermakingsmallimprovementsto existingstructuresto maximize cost/benefit

Please please please do not add untilleverythingcan be maintained extremely well Thismeanswhen treesdie newonesare planted That field are allwelltaken care of That netsat tennisand othercourtsare operationaland fixed assoon asan issue come up That allbenchesare useful that trailsare not overrun by weeds Please make the parksbetterby maintainingthem

Leave the Square asis It ishistoric,charmingand part of ouridentity asacommunity It isalso agreat economic driver

stakeboardingand bmx are nowOlympic sportswe should have aspot in are town so kidscan take advantage to pursue these sports

I have alwaysthought that in the field next to the Dick Tracy Park would be agreat spot foran extreme sports That way the kidscan get to knowthe police and the police can get to knowthe kidswith arespect that would growbetween them both

Skate park would be an excellent decision forthe youth of the town

In one of the questionsI answered that Apple Creek Park needsrepair There wasnot aplace in that question to expand further Thisparticularpark needslandscape help Particularly cleaningup allof the many weedsthat growthere within the shrubs It would just make the park alittle more inviting

Do not redo the Square Park!

RidersWoodsisright down the street from us We’ve neverseen anythingreally done with that park It could be areally nice place to be But we have seen homelesssheltersin there and I don’t feelsafe I would like to see somethingdeveloped in riderswoods

I would just like to see ourparksbe accessible forallpeople in the community Youngchildren and adultswith disabilitiesshould have the same opportunity to accessthe parksfor health,well-beingand foreducationalpurposes

Please ensure that allrestroom facilities especially those nearthe newaccessible park have ADULT changingfacilities Many grown adultswith disabilitieshave caregiverswho need to tend to toileting/diaperingneedsthat cannot be done with baby changingtablesoron the floorof adirty park bathroom

I'm glad you guysare reachingout to ask the community what we need

We use the existingparksourselvesand with ourgrandkids Some of the parksare wearingout Basketballcourtsare wellused but are gettingunsafe and cracking

Build anewrec centerin the city park it would then be close to activities there would be alot of parkingand could be watched by people i]workingin the rec center

Dogbeach isagreat idea

Build upon what we already have Do not change the square We must honorourpast The square isperfect Make allthe necessary repairsthat the bandstand and SpringHouse need please do not move the CivilWarmemorialstatue

Please fix the walkingpaths it isashame that allourtax dollarswent to the public house and the square-Raffelroad isawful Fix the walkingpaths

Thank you foraskingforourinput!

I think that parksand recreation are doingwell Just keep everythingin good shape

Thank you forprovidingthe servicesand resourcesthat you do And thank you forreachingout to include resident feedback in the process

I would love to see acontinued and increased movement to protect and to return to wildlife (plantingmore native flowers,replacinglargergrasslawnswith lowermaintenance flora)

You needed to define itemsin thissurvey

not interested in providingregionalamenitiesoreconomic development with ourpark system

Roadsmight last 20 yearsemricson park needsacomplete resurface

There are so many strengthswith acommunity commitment to wellness arts environmentalpreservation that we can do great thingstogether

The rec centerin Woodstock needsahuge redo I've seen mold in the poolareabefore and that makesme not want to take classesthere The whole buildingneedsarevamp It would be amazingif we had an updated rec centerto enjoy

A healthy environment leadsto healthy people!

Erickson Park isabsolute gem

Thank you forwhat you do forourcommunity

Glad you're alllookingahead Tough job but thanksto all

Continue to listen to the community

None

Maintain the Park in the Square asis! Repairwhat isthere End the ideaof movingthe bandstand

More trees

Woodstock Rec centerneedsto be updated and the hoursshould be expanded They close too early on the weekend

The Park in the Square ishistorically identified asthe centerof Woodstock that ispart of ourNationalRegisterof Historic Placesdistrict Many of itsfeatureshave been in place formore than 100 yearsand have gained historic significance It isthe identifiable anchorforcreatingthe sense of place forWoodstock Asthe heart of Woodstock it should be maintained accordingto itshistoric integrity without any significant changesto itslayout

Sidewalks,greenways,interconnected trailsystems Any newhousingdevelopmentsshould be centered around walkability to amenities(ie not cardependent like the newly-approved subdivision offof Lucasroad - though I understand the need forhousingdevelopment in McHenry County writ large - I wasdisappointed to see somethinglike thisgo through (negative environmentalimpact,billsfooted by taxpayers,etc)

Walking/bikingpathsconnectingparksto different areasof Woodstock are very much in need Please prioritize these so that we can cut down on caremissions increase the numbersof people who willaccessthe parksjust because they can walk there and also increase accessibility forthose who cannot drive themselves

Parksare happy places,very important forhealth of allof us

Stop taxingand spendingmoney

The parksare fine the way they are The only way to make them betterisplant more treesthat willlook nice and help the environment while maintainingopen space foreveryone to enjoy sportsoractivities

And I would like to add-Gagaballhad been abighit-and I would like to see if we could add one thanks!

More pressreleasesabout thissurvey and meetingsto newspapers,websitesof community groupsetc

A newRec Centerwould be nice,but I knowthat isahuge cost,might not be worth it

PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE,DO NOT CHANGETHEPARKIN THESQUARE It isperfect asit is Summerband concertsare adelight and avery specialpiece of Ameriana Have you everhad avisitorto Woodstock comment that you should take away Woodstock'sjewel The Park on the Square complimentsthe OperaHouse and the Old Courthouse It isthe perfect centerof ourdowntown and suckh awonderfulplace to sit down and relax foramoment ortwo The historic soldier,SpringHouse and Band Stand must stay Take you social areato the Die Cast site

In the Park in the Square please maintain the Bandstand,SpringHouse,and CivilWarStatue but PLEASEDO NOT MOVETHEM Thank you

Balance isalwaysthe key Maintain allthe neighborhood parksequally Update astrendschange Realize the tradition of the Park in the Square and do not drastically change it Preserve naturalareas

Leave the Woodstock square asis dont change it

Usingrenewable sourcessuch assunlight to provide lightingat park pavilionsand entranceswould be good use of tax payersfunds thislightingwould be in addition to the necessary safety/ security lightingpowered by (ComEd electricity apresently more dependable source)

Please improve what we have before creatingnewspaces

Woodstock Square Park doesnot need bathroomsin the middle of the park when theresplenty of restaurantscustomerscan use while eatingorgettingasnack and the newly renovated court house with public restroomsin there

Make use of what we have,improve it,maintain it and beautify it and stop spendingmillionsof dollarson uselessstuff

Wetlandsshould be underthe management of the city The city needsto become an active steward of allof ourwetlands

It isreally important to make the parksaccessible to everyone and to include conservation and ecology/education in athoughtful helpfulway forresidentsand visitors No businesses! Just nature

dont change the SQUARE

Fix the pooland hot tub facilitiesat the Rec Center They do allthey can with what they have Make these areashandicapped accessible

I live nearthe square and see lesskids/familiesutilizingthe playground parks I see more kidsusingthe Dean Schoolplayground on weekendsand in the summer I do think bike safety ischallengingforkidssince so many of the sidewalksare broken orincomplete A lot of dogwalkersand adultsjust out walkingforfitness Would love to see the RyderWoodstrails bettermaintained - it really isagem Emricson Park iswonderful! Not familiarwith Danato Woods

I am someone who isVERYexcited forthe rumored 18 hole expansion of the disc golf course at Emricson! Lookingfornewsabout that! I also wanted to say that I have seen parkswith built in cornholes,horseshoe,etc which isvery intriguingto me,and hasmade me think about revisitingthose parks I'd love to see fun little additionsto parkslike that?

Actually have ourelected representativesPRESENT when the public isinvited to share theirideas

Keep in mind in general pplstuggle with change whateverendsup happening communicate to the piblic in advance and take it slow

I wish more playgroundswere fenced in especially nearbusierroads It Would be nice to be able to take my toddlerswithout beingstressed about themRunningaway!

More information shared with the community throughout the entire process

More activity placesto have fun

Ok

Add achick-fa-fill

Can kick

Biggerparksand more hikingareas

I

nope

Bigskate park

just make it betterand safer

nothing

Youre doingamazingsweaty

Good luck!!

Nah

We need more optionsof thingsto do

F

Make more indoorpools

No no Trails

Build agolf course

Fundingsourcescant depend on alwaysgettinggrants

I appreciate that you guyscare enough to ask the residents

No

Ni

Artificialsurface football/soccerfield that could be used by both high schoolsand youth groups

When it comesto planningthe Counciland City should involve the community AsaWoodstock resident and taxpayer,I have consistently seen howthe Counciland City do not listen to residentsand push initiativesthrough without community input Currently,I am very concerned about plansunderway to change the historic Woodstock Square It'sone thingto repair historic facilities,it'sanotherto rearrange ormove historic structures I and many Woodstock residentsI've talked to are opposed to changingthe Woodstock Square,an historic site Additionally,budget overrunsare ahuge concern

Make more food

I’m done

Please build more soccerfieldsthat are open use We have arapidly growingsoccercommunity who need space to play like the way basketballcourtsare set up

I think there should be more lighted sportsfieldsto be able to use them more

A dogpark orcommunity garden at Judd n Madison

Cleaning,security,lighting,bathrooms

Improve the rec centerinside and out

I think it would be nice if we got arollerrink It would be good forthe kidsespecially duringthe winter It isalso good clean fun forthe teenagers

Maintain the Square Park but don't change it

When you surgery target ALLage groups Seniorshave just asmany needsand wantsasmiddle aged and youngerpeople,

Work with environmentalistswhen makingyourdecisions

save the oak trees&plant many many more!

More toddler/youngchildren geared activitiesand classes! Theresnot much forthe 1-4 age group

People past Westwood have to Walk on the road to get to both the parksand down town Extend the sidewalk to just passDakotaRidge

Fix city and Emricksen park roadsfirst,lowerourtax burden so we can maintain and repairourhomes An affordable community isan attractive community

Please increase programmingand sportsavailable we find ourselveshavingto go to othertownsforyouth sports such asHuntley We love the Farmersmarketsprogrammingthat Huntley offers Please continue to add family friendly programmingto thisevent it isone that bringsmany to Woodstock

Help promote the regeneration of oak treesat allparks

The planningprocessmust truly reflect the wishesof the community When do we get asay in what happensin the Square (regardingthe proposalsforitsrenovation)? I am shocked and appalled at thisproposal,asiseveryone I knowin town And yet I feelthat the whole processhasbeen aclosely garded secret

Lowimpact to the environment!

Make them safe enough forpeople to be able to use The whole town isgettingsketchy with women beingconfronted even while shopping Walkingby yourself isnowsafe and people tend to go elsewhere

Ourfamily isexcited about the possibility of asplash park in Woodstock

Keep askingforcommunity input

Do NOT move the structuresin the Square park!!

Have more activitiesforhomeschool/private schoolfamilies

I would love to knowof any resourcesI could utilize to keep updated on future enhancements

Im allfornewparks,playgrounds,gardensbut have measurementsin place to maintain the parksIve seen many parksin mchenry county go to waste afterafewyearsbeingbuilt

Keep it green Let'sbe amodelcity forconservation

PLEASEkeep the environment in mind and don’t ruin beautifullandsforbuildingapartments Woodstock residentslove ournaturallands,let’skeep them safe!

More bike and walkingpathsplease

Recreation centerisnot up to standard to what Woodstock should have with the high taxesthat every one pays

I think there isopportunity to develop avery nice fitnessfacility with higherend amenities

BIKEPATHS! Maybe goingthrough dean st to 14 to connect with the crystallake path

It takessooooo longforchange ideas,curatingplans,acquiringfunds,shufflingmoney,meetings,public input meetings,ruminate on more ideas and sadly,yearshave gone by and deterioration hasaccelerated and costsgo up Startsalloveragain We can help,just ask

I hope the newrec centerhassaunasand indoorcourtsfortennisand pickleball

Make more children/toddlerprogramsavailable in the even forworkingparents

Clean up/repairwhat we currently have Upgrade and expand to compete with the times

Seniormobility

Love allthe great thingsupcomingin the community It’sso great to live somewhere that we can go to so many wonderfulparksalready

Thank you forreachingout to the community fortheirthoughtson the planning

It’sto expensive to enrollmy kid in activities

More fishing

Look at othercommunitiesand figure it out Woodstock!

I think aMiracle League park would furthercement Woodstock on the map asagreat place to live AND visit! I would really like to see thisexplored

More than one splash pad around woodstock Shaded playground areas?

Trails Bike trails Include incorporated Woodstock Skate Park Also we need to add ice skatingrink at the very least in Winter Every community surroundingushasthese amenities We cannot expect people to want to move here if there are none of these typesof recreationalamenities The rec centerneedsamajorReno aswell Not tryingto be rude but it is embarrassing

An areathat catersto food trucksyearround forseasonalactivitiesand also daily lunchesand orevents

Skatepark

More affordable events

There needsto be free orfinancially affordable thingsto do forunder21 yearolds

Thank you

Please keep the Square serene

I keep pushingforaction sport activitiesskateboardingparks

Once again,it seemsthat Woodstock ismakingBIGPLANS without first fixingthe BIGPROBLEMS that plague it Please just make the parkssafe,well-lit,and well-maintained before splashingaton of money on some consultant who isgoingto tellyou that what the city'spark system really needsisalaunch pad forthe InternationalSpace Station and aband shell that just so happensto be exactly what ourcity leadershave been clamoringfor

We need anew/biggerrec center- oursisjust too smalland the equipment and facility are outdated and the parkingisridiculously inadequate

Thank forgatheringresidentsopinions Please continue to do so Also please keep in mind the tax burden upon residents Also,I’m really excited about the newsplash pad! I hope that can get funded!

It would be nice to see newequipment and enhanced maintenance forneighborhood parks Parksserve at the heart of the community and are what should bringfamiliestogetherto connect When you enhance the facilities,more people willuse them and more “community” willbe built

Clean the park

please stop gettingrid of monkey bars

I'm abit tired of the Field of Dreams[baseballdiamond] gettingallthe attention and $$$ Why do we have afabulousbaseballfield and horrible soccerfields,when there'sso many more people playingsoccervs baseball?

To build anewrec centerorunfavorably update the current one ask the people/the current membersof the rec centerwhat they would like to see Dont ask the mgmt of the rec center,ask the memberssince,send them asurvey The membersare the onesthat use the facility everyday,not mgmt who thinksthey knowwhat they want

Interviewmore handicap familiesforaccessibility concerns

Woodstock iswonderful I think the rec centerneedsto be moved orrebuilt to justify the membership costs

Would be nice to have it done when my kidsare smalland can benefit from these changes and not in 25 years

There were afewquestionson thissurvey that only allowed one answer(such aswhere do I hearabout park programmingand important community benefits),but I would have liked the option of choosingmore than one Forexample,I think promotingsocialconnectionsand protectingthe environment are equally important And I hearabout programmingboth through CityScene and on socialmedia

While I appreciate the skate park dynamic,OTHER teensdo no feelaplace in the community aswellasfamileswith youngfamilies THere isso much forthe old traditionalwoodstock folk and it feelsto hard to fit in

make sure to publicize public input ( meetingsand surveys) forthe best park planning

The path at Merryman park really needsrepairsand to be sealcoated

Make sure the parksare beingkept clean Way too much litter

The kidsneed more placesto play and enjoy the outdoorsand learningabout the environment/areawe live in

Closely examine howthe SpringBasketballprogram isrun

Raise the standard of thinkingfrom if it aint broke dont fix it to See adent fix adent Do better!

Update the pool more shade at the pool I dont care about parksin 25 years I have kidsnowand want to see thingsnow

Invest into the REC Centerto have more accessto diferent sportscourt ,pool,saunaand jacuzzi

More sidewalksneeded through the whole city The city needsto require ALLbusinessesto shoveltheirwalkwayswhen it snows More high density buildingaround the Square

I support improvingand expandingthe City'sparksand Rec opportunitiesBUT I strongly oppose any changesto the historic Park in the Square While it isa"park,it isby no meansa traditionalpark and should not be considered one It itlsthe heart of Woodstock and should remain ourtraditional,historic Square No movingthe bandstand Maintain and preserve the springhouse No play equipment Leave the CivilWarstatue alone Just beautify care for and respect and treasure what we have

Otherparksneed help with ponds

Creatingmore visually enticingparkswould encourage more residentsto utilize neighborhood parks Woodstock Square isbeautiful but neighborhood parksare utilitarian at best

Make it happen! Oh,and fix thrroads ;)

I’m so disappointed I moved here with my youngson it wasso hard forhim to learn to ride hisbike bc of the crappy sidewalks&stillconstantly fallsand hurtshimself He doesn’t even like ridinghisbike anymore bc of it!!!! Biggest mistake waspurchasingproperty in woodstock,the city that doesnt care about itsresidents,just itspopularity status!

NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS Savannah Grove hassome really nice trailsto walk and nature but nowhere forkidsto freely play! There are many youngchildren in the neighborhood and they need an actualpark to play in

Doanychildren17orunderliveinyourhousehold? 936

Doanychildren17orunderliveinyourhousehold? 936

20-Doanychildren17orunderliveinyourhousehold?

Doanychildren17orunderliveinyourhousehold? 936

Doanychildren17orunderliveinyour household?

Areyouoranyothermembersofyourhouseholdaged65orolder? 930