EMPLOYEE

While the value of the public’s opinion regarding the efficiency and gaps in service of the city park system is indisputable, equally important are the opinions and observations of the internal stakeholders, namely the employees of Lancaster Parks and Recreation

To this point, an internal session was held in August of 2022 for leadership and staff . Prior to the session, attendees were given a brief selection of questions to answer or dwell upon, which were then discussed at length once the group was assembled Krile Communications facilitated the meeting and helped to engage the employees In addition, each employee also was given the option of responding anonymously to questions that they did not feel comfortable answering in front of a group, or bringing up additional concerns that had not been addressed . Fortunately, the employee group was not timid and they were engaging and informative throughout the session

Following is a summation of the session, as well as the list of questions that drove the conversation

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE CITY PARK SYSTEM?

The mission of Lancaster Parks and Recreation is: “To provide a quality park and recreation system that promotes the benefits of parks and recreation by providing quality facilities and programs that enrich the lives of the citizens in our community.” The employees agree with the mission statement completely and also feel the system gives the community the opportunity to engage with one another, their family members, and nature They emphasized the importance of programming and also providing opportunities and resources to the senior community A few employees remarked that they felt the park system was one way in which to provide the youth in Lancaster with positive alternatives to activities that might lead to their detriment .

WHAT ARE THE GREATEST STRENGTHS AS A PUBLIC RECREATIONAL ORGANIZATION?

Overwhelmingly, the staff named their co-workers as the greatest strength of the organization Having recently endured a pandemic, and a change in leadership, while facing economic challenges and staff shortages, they were adamant that the quality and dedication of the city park employees made the organization nearly invincible Other examples of strength that were given included positivity, problemsolving, and a positive rapport with the public “We can do anything!”

ARE OUR FACILITIES SAFE AND OF SUITABLE QUALITY? WHICH ONE(S) NEED(S) UPGRADED?

The employees are well aware that there are facilities and structures in need of updating and they have opinions of things they’d personally like to see replaced No employee felt there was an unsafe facility in use They stated that their team was qualified to make any necessary repairs and they were confident that high standards are being met

WHAT IS A FACILITY THAT WE NEED THAT WE DON’T CURRENTLY HAVE?

The City Parks staff recognizes and agrees with the public opinion that Lancaster needs an accessible splash pad/ sprayground or recreational water facility . Some on the staff feel that one large aquatic park could ultimately replace Miller Pool, and possibly Tiki pool as well They also commented on a need for an indoor recreational facility, and they hope that the General Sherman project will help fill that void

WHAT IS THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS FROM THE PARKS EMPLOYEES’ PERSPECTIVE?

No one is more aware of the city parks’ To Do List than the employees . Below is a list of some projects the team would place at the top of a list of priorities

• Create a walking path in Rising Park to deter pedestrians off the roadway that encircles the park

• Install additional parking lots in the widely-used parks with more handicap spots

• Erect a new and improved, enlarged workshop for maintenance, vehicles, and more This was said to be one of the highest priorities and an unmet need

• Update and relocate the Miller Skate Park

• Obtain and install new generators at Olivedale

• Install new jets in the pool at Olivedale

• Make updates to equipment in the smaller parks

• Purchase additional maintenance equipment and hire employees who have knowledgeable operating experience

WHAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED AS FAR AS PROGRAMMING THAT WE DON’T HAVE?

Initially, the staff answered this question by commenting on the need for an indoor facility . As the discussion ensued, the focus shifted to the fact that if educational and recreational programming was increased in various parks around the city, it could lead to an increase in community engagement and usage of some of the smaller parks around town In addition, there was the discussion of obtaining a mobile recreation unit that could travel into neighborhoods without an existing park, allowing more people, specifically youth, access to free recreational opportunities

This coincides with the national findings regarding the importance of youth programs in city parks In fact, according to the NRPA, parks are a “tangible reflection of the quality of life in a community . They provide identity for citizens and are a major factor in the perception of quality of life in a given community ”

• Parks and recreation services are often cited as one of the most important factors in surveys of how livable communities are

• Parks provide gathering places for families and social groups, as well as for individuals of all ages and economic status, regardless of their ability to pay for access An ongoing study by the Trust for Public Land shows that over the past decade, voter approval rates for bond measures to acquire parks and conserve open space exceeds 75% Clearly, the majority of the public views parks as an essential priority for government spending

• Parks and recreation programs provide places for health and well-being that are accessible by persons of all ages and abilities, especially to those with disabilities In a 2007 survey of Fairfax County, VA, residents 8 of 10 households rated a quality park system either very important or extremely important to their quality of life .

• Research by the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods indicates that community involvement in neighborhood parks is associated with lower levels of crime and vandalism

• Access to parks and recreation opportunities has been strongly linked to reductions in crime and to reduced juvenile delinquency

• Parks have a value to communities that transcend the amount of dollars invested or the revenues gained from fees

• Parks provide a sense of public pride and cohesion to every community .

National Recreation and Park Association For more information on the value and benefits of parks go to www.nrpa.org

ARE WE DOING A GOOD JOB SERVING THE YOUTH THROUGH THE PARKS? SENIORS? IS THERE ANY GROUP NOT BEING SERVICED WELL ENOUGH BY THE CITY PARKS?

Lancaster Parks and Recreation staff feel confident that they are doing a good job serving everyone in the community using the resources and staffing that exist That said, some felt the focus should be on preteens and teenagers

WHAT IS THE MOST IMMEDIATE NEED OF THE CITY PARK SYSTEM?

Again, the employees felt that the most immediate need for facilities was the updating of the existing “workshop” or, better yet, the creation of a brand-new maintenance facility

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF LANCASTER PARKS & RECREATION?

This open-ended question was posed to employees as a “the sky is the limit” question and encouraged creativity . Below are the responses .

• More employees and employees who, upon hire, are equipped with knowledge and a good work ethic

• A waterpark or splash pad

• Updates to existing swimming facilities and the skatepark

• Additional facilities, such as a new maintenance building

• Improve the dam at Alley Park

• More activities in the parks around town

• More and newer equipment

• Update current equipment and existing facility software

• All access to Alley Park

• More nature aesthetic in all parks

• Additional handicap parking

• Scanners for Olivedale

• A ropes course

• An indoor walking path

• In-house administrative duties

• Marketing and social media support for the entire City Parks system

• A dock at Alley Park