Community Wants/Needs Assessment 2022

Prepared by Krile Communications

The City of Lancaster successfully passed a levy in 2021, which converted a five-year renewal levy for Lancaster Parks & Recreation into a continuing, or permanent, levy The levy resulted in the generation of approximately $1 million in additional revenue each year starting January 1, 2023 Fulfilling a promise made during the levy campaign, Lancaster Parks & Recreation spent the summer season of 2022 asking members of the community to express both their wants and needs as they pertain to the city park system

Working closely with Friends of the Lancaster Parks, the Lancaster Parks & Recreation Board, and the Lancaster Parks & Recreation staff, Krile Communications launched the Think BiG! Campaign Beginning in May of 2022, the community was given access to a digital survey, easily accessible online, but also available in print form Respondents were able to submit their feedback to predetermined questions, as well as their ideas in open-ended questions In addition, the children of Lancaster were given equal opportunities to express their opinions as both future taxpayers and frequent users of the city’s parks and programs During various youth and family-oriented events throughout the summer, kids had the opportunity to cast their votes for the type of recreation facility they would most like to see built in the future . In addition, school students attending Alley Park in May or during the summer camp season also had the chance to vote in the park’s Nature Center

Process

The Krile Team conducted a demographics trend analysis, an employee engagement session, on-site voting for children, and a community-wide digital (and printed) survey to evaluate both the city’s wants and needs as they relate to the parks system From these research activities, the Krile Team examined the park system’s current level of service and identified essential services .

Community input was a critical element of the assessment process to determine the most frequently used facilities and the most highly desired services/facilities for the future After synthesizing the data and considering Lancaster Parks & Recreation’s resources, mission, and best practices, the Krile Team presents the following findings in hope that they will help guide the future of the city park system .