PUBLIC INPUT This section outlines a comprehensive review of the Decatur Park System from two perspectives. The first is from the perspective of the users, obtained through the community survey, stakeholder interviews, and public meetings. The second is an objective analysis of the physical facilities within each park, including an assessment of the demographics of the neighborhood, proximity of users to the parks, park size, comparison to national standards, amenities provided, and capital improvements required.
CHAPTER IV
Stakeholder Interviews The Park District and planning team conducted extensive interviews with a wide range of community leaders and partner organizations with an interest in the Park District facilities. The goal of these interviews was to obtain feedback on how the Park District can improve services, expand partnerships, and build on existing successes. Interviews were held with the following organizations, with key points listed: • Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau o Recommends a broader focus on increasing tourism in DPD Parks o Support for more sporting events, especially Bass Masters Tournament type events o Continue improvements to the lakefront • Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce o Improved maintenance is key to the City’s image o Improve communication to let the community know which parks are public o Offer more places for area teenagers to hang out
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Decatur Park District
COMPREHENSIVE PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
• Grow Decatur o Focus on improving Decatur’s competitiveness across the region o Focus on supporting employee recruitment and retention o Support for a broader focus on increasing tourism in DPD Parks • NAACP o Main concern for inner city parks, especially Jasper, Johns Hill, Mueller, and Nelson o Improve access to parks, including safe walking routes o Partnership with a local neighborhood organization will be essential to improving Jasper Park • Decatur Economic Development Corporation o Focus on improving Decatur’s competitiveness across the region o Focus on supporting employee recruitment and retention o Improved mixed use residential on the lake will be a major employee draw • Decatur Public Schools o Continue excellent partnership between DPD and DPS o Expand outdoor classroom and learning environments near schools o Improve walkability of neighborhoods to promote safe routes to school • Eisenhower High School o Demand for water parks and swimming facilities o Confidential vandalism reporting systems are needed o More activities to engage teens are needed • MacArthur High School o Add more lights to basketball courts to expand use o Teens interested in Park related jobs o Surveillance cameras are ineffective due to lack of police response
October 2013