Skinner Park Community Input Survey
The Skinner Park Advisory Council distributed a survey to give the community a vehicle to indicate what they wanted to see in Skinner Park and to voice their concerns. Parents and legal guardians were asked to represent the children who use Skinner Park. This report is based on responses representing 480 individuals.
Survey was conducted from March 12, 2002 to May 21, 2002.
Approximately 1900 surveys were distributed and responses represented 480 individuals.
Current users and potential users are well represented. 50% of the responses were from people who currently used the park daily or at least once a week.
How was the surveys distributed?
Board based distribution to ensure that everyone had a voice in the redesign of Skinner Park.
March 12 community meeting, Advisory Council Meetings, Earth Day Event
Take one boxes and signage at the Skinner Park field house and at all entrances to Skinner Park
Survey was available on-line.
Institutions
Ad in West Loop Gazette to promote knowledge of survey and where surveys are available.
Local businesses like, Cyd & dPano, Inas,Wishbone
West Loop Gate Window Flyer
Door-to-door distribution - hand distributed to each unit in several residential areas.
Mass distribution: Notices and/or surveys in mailrooms of condo buildings and other areas
Sales offices of area condo developments
Survey Meetings at Senior Residences
2 days - surveying at Skinner Park to intercept park users.
How were the questions derived?
All answers were confidential.
Questions for this survey were refined from a preliminary survey conducted during the Whitney Young Pool Open House in Feb. 2002.
Questions were also derived from several different sources.
Chicago Park District Survey for another park
Project for Public Spaces / Urban Parks Institute - sample surveys
Questions regarding usage were designed to be redundant to ensure that answers were consistent.
Name and Address were captured for audit purposes.
Survey Results for some key questions.
What was important to park users while at Skinner Park?
Most Important : Safety
Important : Cleanliness
Average Importance : Restroom Facilities
Least Importance : Noise
Is there general community support for a Tranquil Landscaped Area?
Yes, a tranquil area was the 1st choice in terms of what people surveyed wanted the green space to be used for. Over 60% of the people responding to the survey would use a tranquil area and support using tax dollars towards the creation of this area.
80% of those responding support replacing some of the athletic fields with a landscaped tranquil area.
Only 8 % do not support a landscaped area in place of some of the athletic fields.
12 % did not have a preference and voted indifferent.
66 % would support using tax dollars towards the creation of a green space for relaxation.
60% would use this tranquil area.
Is there general community support for a Fenced In Dog Friendly Area?
Yes, 65 % of all respondents support a fenced in dog friendly area where dogs can exercise, play, and socialize off-leash.
Dog owners represent 28.1% of the survey responses. (Below are breakdown of support.)
Yes - 94.8% of dog owners support a fenced in dog friendly area in Skinner Park.
No - 5.2% of dog owners do not support a fenced in dog friendly area in Skinner Park.
Non-dog owners represent 71.9% of the survey responses. (Below are breakdown of support.)
Yes - 53.3% of non-dog owners support a fenced in dog friendly area in Skinner Park.
Indifferent / No answer - 18.9% of non-dog owners.
No - 27.8% of non-dog owners were not in support of a dog friendly area.
Top 3 things people indicated that they wanted TAX DOLLARS to be spend on in new areas and improvements.
1) Tranquil Area / Better Landscaping - 66% ( based on 480 responses )
2) Running and walking paths - 42%
3) Dog Friendly Area - 25%
( Note: Children's Playground - 22.5% and Outdoor Basketball - 21 %. See chart below for complete list.)
Top 3 outdoor facilities people indicated that they would USE at Skinner Park if available.
1) Tranquil Area - 60% ( based on 480 responses )
2) Running and walking paths - 42%
3) Outdoor Basketball - 33 %
( Note: Tennis - 31% and Tai Chi -29% and Dog Socialization -24%. See chart below for complete list.)
Top 3 programs people indicated that they would enjoy.
1) Outdoor Concerts - 60%
2) Outdoor Films - 56%
3) Swimming - 49%
(See chart below for complete list.)
In their own words, people were asked what their idea of an urban park was. The top 3 answers were:
1) Safe
2) Clean
3) Better landscaping, more trees and flowers, etc.
( See chart below for complete list.)
For a copy of the full report of the Community Input Survey for Skinner Park, please download the following PDF file - 67 pages.
© 2003 Skinner Park Advisory Council. All rights reserved.
Last webpage update: 05/01/2003