by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Sartell residents are being asked to fill out a park survey concerning the four public parks and three neighborhood parks in Park Neighborhood 6.
The deadline for taking the survey is Sept. 15. To take it, go to: https://surveymonkey.com/r/Sartellparksurvey2 and then follow directions.
One can also see the survey at www.Sartellmn.com and on the city’s Facebook account.
Survey results will be presented to the Sartell Park Commission at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 at city hall. The survey was drafted by Nate Keller, Sartell’s community-development technician. (For a feature about Keller, see related story.)
The park survey, the second of its kind, consists of 12 questions, with plenty of places to add comments or suggestions. Park Neighborhood 6 is bounded on the east side by Riverside Avenue, on the west side by Pinecone Road, to the north by 12th Street N. and on the south by Third Avenue N.
The parks within that jurisdiction are Northside Park, Linear Park, Lions Community Park, Watab Creek North Park and three Rolling Meadows neighborhood parks: North, West and East.
Sartell city staff is eager to receive public input on those parks so the Parks Commission can make improvements based on what residents want.
Last year, a survey for Parks Neighborhood 7 brought 156 responses from residents and led to numerous planned improvements, which will be made as park-dedication funds are received.
Those parks in Parks Neighborhood 7 were Celebration Park, Pinecone Central Park, Wilds Park North, Cypress Park, Fox Run of Avalon Village Park, Pine Tree Pond Park and Pinecone Regional Park.
Among the proposed changes:
- The Wilds tennis court will likely be replaced with a half basketball court and pickle-ball court.
- Playground equipment will be added at Pinecone Central Park.
- Park repairs as noted on survey responses were done.
- Fox Run of Avalon is in line for additional equipment, and the side of that park will be increased when the property to its west is platted.
- Many respondents said they wanted more trees in several of the parks, but getting trees to survive in non-irrigated parks is difficult at best. Shelters may be a better option for shade in some parks. The city still wants to add trees wherever possible, and they could be paid for by the Roundup program, which is funded via people rounding up their utility bills when they pay them.
The survey
Here are the questions on the current survey:
- Do you live within neighborhood 6 as seen in the map below?
- What age group are you in?
- How many children 17 and under are living in your household?
- How many hours do you participate in leisure activities per week?
- What are some activities or reasons that bring you to the parks?
Choices: Walking/jogging, Swimming, Biking, Fitness/aerobics, Picnics, Playground, Family get-togethers, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Soccer, In-line skating/ice hockey, Football, Volleyball, Other.
- How often do you visit the following parks?
- Please list your happiness with each park and the amenities/services offered (1 being very unhappy and 5 being very happy).
- What additional amenities would you like to see offered at any one of the parks? Check all that apply: Playground (new or improved), Splash pad, Pavilion/band shell, Shelters (more or new), Community garden, Increased trail connections, Basketball hoops, Tennis courts, Additional trees/shade, Picnic tables, Other (please specify).
- Describe other improvements you feel are needed at each park.
- How satisfied are you with the parks in the defined area for providing the following: (Ratings excellent to poor): Places for quiet enjoyment of outdoors, Places for enjoyment of active sports, Clean/well-maintained, Safety, Places for family enjoyment.
- What are some reasons that keep you from visiting the parks in Neighborhood 6? Please mark all that apply: Too busy/not interested, Use other facilities, Location of facilities, Unsafe/security is insufficient, Not enough trees/shade, Facilities are not well maintained and/or park feels unsafe, Other
- Please share any other comments you may have about the parks within Neighborhood 6.
