Des Moines Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan – Resident Input

As part of LiveDSM (Des Moines’ Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan), we’re interested in your opinion about what you would like to see happen in the future for Des Moines Parks and Recreation facilities and programs.

Thank you for taking time to answer these questions. We welcome your children to take it, too. You might need to help the youngest in your family, but many will be able to take this short questionnaire on their own. Thank you!

NOTE: We are accepting survey responses through DECEMBER 1.

Question Title

* 1. Please indicate how frequently you use the following parks and recreation facilities in the City of Des Moines.

	Almost daily/weekly	Monthly	Once every few months	Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Very rarely or never
Neighborhood parks	Neighborhood parks Almost daily/weekly	Neighborhood parks Monthly	Neighborhood parks Once every few months	Neighborhood parks Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Neighborhood parks Very rarely or never
Community recreation centers (e.g., Pioneer-Columbus, Fourmile)	Community recreation centers (e.g., Pioneer-Columbus, Fourmile) Almost daily/weekly	Community recreation centers (e.g., Pioneer-Columbus, Fourmile) Monthly	Community recreation centers (e.g., Pioneer-Columbus, Fourmile) Once every few months	Community recreation centers (e.g., Pioneer-Columbus, Fourmile) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Community recreation centers (e.g., Pioneer-Columbus, Fourmile) Very rarely or never
Cemeteries	Cemeteries Almost daily/weekly	Cemeteries Monthly	Cemeteries Once every few months	Cemeteries Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Cemeteries Very rarely or never
Spraygrounds (McHenry, Grandview, Greenwood, Columbus)	Spraygrounds (McHenry, Grandview, Greenwood, Columbus) Almost daily/weekly	Spraygrounds (McHenry, Grandview, Greenwood, Columbus) Monthly	Spraygrounds (McHenry, Grandview, Greenwood, Columbus) Once every few months	Spraygrounds (McHenry, Grandview, Greenwood, Columbus) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Spraygrounds (McHenry, Grandview, Greenwood, Columbus) Very rarely or never
Aquatics/swim facilities	Aquatics/swim facilities Almost daily/weekly	Aquatics/swim facilities Monthly	Aquatics/swim facilities Once every few months	Aquatics/swim facilities Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Aquatics/swim facilities Very rarely or never
Park shelters (open-air picnic and enclosed)	Park shelters (open-air picnic and enclosed) Almost daily/weekly	Park shelters (open-air picnic and enclosed) Monthly	Park shelters (open-air picnic and enclosed) Once every few months	Park shelters (open-air picnic and enclosed) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Park shelters (open-air picnic and enclosed) Very rarely or never
Paved trails network	Paved trails network Almost daily/weekly	Paved trails network Monthly	Paved trails network Once every few months	Paved trails network Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Paved trails network Very rarely or never
Unpaved nature trails (Greenwood, Grandview, Ewing Parks)	Unpaved nature trails (Greenwood, Grandview, Ewing Parks) Almost daily/weekly	Unpaved nature trails (Greenwood, Grandview, Ewing Parks) Monthly	Unpaved nature trails (Greenwood, Grandview, Ewing Parks) Once every few months	Unpaved nature trails (Greenwood, Grandview, Ewing Parks) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Unpaved nature trails (Greenwood, Grandview, Ewing Parks) Very rarely or never
Signature parks (Gray’s Lake, Union, Lilac Arboretum at Ewing, Sylvan Theater, Art Center Rose Garden)	Signature parks (Gray’s Lake, Union, Lilac Arboretum at Ewing, Sylvan Theater, Art Center Rose Garden) Almost daily/weekly	Signature parks (Gray’s Lake, Union, Lilac Arboretum at Ewing, Sylvan Theater, Art Center Rose Garden) Monthly	Signature parks (Gray’s Lake, Union, Lilac Arboretum at Ewing, Sylvan Theater, Art Center Rose Garden) Once every few months	Signature parks (Gray’s Lake, Union, Lilac Arboretum at Ewing, Sylvan Theater, Art Center Rose Garden) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Signature parks (Gray’s Lake, Union, Lilac Arboretum at Ewing, Sylvan Theater, Art Center Rose Garden) Very rarely or never
Downtown culture parks (Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Asian Garden, Botanical Center, Simon Estes Amphitheater)	Downtown culture parks (Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Asian Garden, Botanical Center, Simon Estes Amphitheater) Almost daily/weekly	Downtown culture parks (Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Asian Garden, Botanical Center, Simon Estes Amphitheater) Monthly	Downtown culture parks (Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Asian Garden, Botanical Center, Simon Estes Amphitheater) Once every few months	Downtown culture parks (Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Asian Garden, Botanical Center, Simon Estes Amphitheater) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Downtown culture parks (Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Asian Garden, Botanical Center, Simon Estes Amphitheater) Very rarely or never
Downtown activity parks (Principal Riverwalk, Principal Park, Brenton Skate Plaza)	Downtown activity parks (Principal Riverwalk, Principal Park, Brenton Skate Plaza) Almost daily/weekly	Downtown activity parks (Principal Riverwalk, Principal Park, Brenton Skate Plaza) Monthly	Downtown activity parks (Principal Riverwalk, Principal Park, Brenton Skate Plaza) Once every few months	Downtown activity parks (Principal Riverwalk, Principal Park, Brenton Skate Plaza) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Downtown activity parks (Principal Riverwalk, Principal Park, Brenton Skate Plaza) Very rarely or never
Sports/ball fields and complexes	Sports/ball fields and complexes Almost daily/weekly	Sports/ball fields and complexes Monthly	Sports/ball fields and complexes Once every few months	Sports/ball fields and complexes Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Sports/ball fields and complexes Very rarely or never
Natural play areas (Sargent Park, McHenry Park)	Natural play areas (Sargent Park, McHenry Park) Almost daily/weekly	Natural play areas (Sargent Park, McHenry Park) Monthly	Natural play areas (Sargent Park, McHenry Park) Once every few months	Natural play areas (Sargent Park, McHenry Park) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Natural play areas (Sargent Park, McHenry Park) Very rarely or never
Non-city parks (Water Works, Easter Lake, Fort Des Moines)	Non-city parks (Water Works, Easter Lake, Fort Des Moines) Almost daily/weekly	Non-city parks (Water Works, Easter Lake, Fort Des Moines) Monthly	Non-city parks (Water Works, Easter Lake, Fort Des Moines) Once every few months	Non-city parks (Water Works, Easter Lake, Fort Des Moines) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Non-city parks (Water Works, Easter Lake, Fort Des Moines) Very rarely or never
Public school playgrounds and open-space areas	Public school playgrounds and open-space areas Almost daily/weekly	Public school playgrounds and open-space areas Monthly	Public school playgrounds and open-space areas Once every few months	Public school playgrounds and open-space areas Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Public school playgrounds and open-space areas Very rarely or never
Community gardens (Franklin, Allen, Ashfield)	Community gardens (Franklin, Allen, Ashfield) Almost daily/weekly	Community gardens (Franklin, Allen, Ashfield) Monthly	Community gardens (Franklin, Allen, Ashfield) Once every few months	Community gardens (Franklin, Allen, Ashfield) Yearly (or within last 3 years)	Community gardens (Franklin, Allen, Ashfield) Very rarely or never

Question Title

* 2. If you mostly use parks and facilities outside the city limits, please describe.

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* 3. What do you see as the overall STRENGTHS of the current Des Moines Parks and Recreation System?
PLEASE CHECK NO MORE THAN THREE

The quality of the park facilities

The geographic distribution throughout the city

The accessibility of the parks near my home (within a 10-minute walk)

The quantity of park land available

Environmental education programs

Recreation programs

Sports/Competition programs

Special community events

The trails network

Swimming pools/aquatic complexes

Community recreation centers

Cemeteries

Habitat/prairie restoration

Natural play areas

Overall maintenance of the facilities

Overall affordability of the programs

Other (please describe)

Question Title

* 4. What do you see as the greatest CHALLENGES facing the Des Moines Parks and Recreation System? PLEASE CHECK NO MORE THAN THREE

The quality of the park facilities

The distribution throughout the city

The lack of accessibility of parks near my home (within a 10-minute walk)

Not enough park land

Lack of educational programs

Lack of recreation programs

Lack of sports/competition programs

The trails network – inadequate/lack of connection

Swimming pools/aquatic complexes - too few

Community recreation centers – too few

Cemeteries

Habitat/prairie restoration – too few acres

Natural play areas – too few

Facilities not well maintained

Programs too expensive

General lack of resources available to support Parks and Recreation

Other (please describe)

Question Title

* 5. WHY do you use Des Moines Parks and Recreation Facilities? PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY

Explore the city

Participate in education programs

Participate in recreation programs

Participate in cultural programs

Play sports

Meditate, reflect

Attend special events

Exercise

Ride the trails

Connect with friends and family

Connect with my community

Visit a cemetery

Swim or splash in a pool or sprayground

Interact with nature

Interact with natural water – creeks, pond, lake, river

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* 6. If you could make ONE CHANGE to the Des Moines Parks and Recreation System that would best prepare it to serve all Des Moines residents into the distant future, what would it be?

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* 7. For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you see this as a High, Medium, or Low Priority for the City Parks and Recreation Department – or perhaps NOT a priority.

Other HIGH priority (please describe)

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* 8. What else do you want to tell us about the Des Moines Parks and Recreation system of the future and what we should do to plan for it?

Finally, some quick questions about yourself:

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* 9. Are you a Des Moines resident?

Yes

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* 10. What is your zip code?

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* 11. Which category best describes your age?

15 or younger

16-24

25-39

40-54

55-69

70+

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* 12. Which category best describes your gender identity?

Female

Male

__________

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* 13. Do you have children under the age of 18 living with you full- or part-time at home?

NO, but grandchildren (or other children) are frequently in my care

If YES, how many?

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* 14. What is your race?

Black/African-American

White/Caucasian

Asian

Hispanic/Latino

Other (please specify)

	High priority	Medium priority	Low priority	Not a priority
Build out the water trails and greenways network	Build out the water trails and greenways network High priority	Build out the water trails and greenways network Medium priority	Build out the water trails and greenways network Low priority	Build out the water trails and greenways network Not a priority
Expand facilities for community gatherings, cultural exchanges and special events	Expand facilities for community gatherings, cultural exchanges and special events High priority	Expand facilities for community gatherings, cultural exchanges and special events Medium priority	Expand facilities for community gatherings, cultural exchanges and special events Low priority	Expand facilities for community gatherings, cultural exchanges and special events Not a priority
Equally serve all areas of the City so that all citizens are within a 10-minute walk of parkland and have access to a broad range of programs	Equally serve all areas of the City so that all citizens are within a 10-minute walk of parkland and have access to a broad range of programs High priority	Equally serve all areas of the City so that all citizens are within a 10-minute walk of parkland and have access to a broad range of programs Medium priority	Equally serve all areas of the City so that all citizens are within a 10-minute walk of parkland and have access to a broad range of programs Low priority	Equally serve all areas of the City so that all citizens are within a 10-minute walk of parkland and have access to a broad range of programs Not a priority
Connect the trails—complete the major gaps and link neighborhoods	Connect the trails—complete the major gaps and link neighborhoods High priority	Connect the trails—complete the major gaps and link neighborhoods Medium priority	Connect the trails—complete the major gaps and link neighborhoods Low priority	Connect the trails—complete the major gaps and link neighborhoods Not a priority
Acquire more parks to support future growth and serve existing gaps (this addition may be covered below)	Acquire more parks to support future growth and serve existing gaps (this addition may be covered below) High priority	Acquire more parks to support future growth and serve existing gaps (this addition may be covered below) Medium priority	Acquire more parks to support future growth and serve existing gaps (this addition may be covered below) Low priority	Acquire more parks to support future growth and serve existing gaps (this addition may be covered below) Not a priority
Improve the distribution of parks throughout the city	Improve the distribution of parks throughout the city High priority	Improve the distribution of parks throughout the city Medium priority	Improve the distribution of parks throughout the city Low priority	Improve the distribution of parks throughout the city Not a priority
Continue to improve parks and facilities for those with disabilities (vision-impaired, physical, sound)	Continue to improve parks and facilities for those with disabilities (vision-impaired, physical, sound) High priority	Continue to improve parks and facilities for those with disabilities (vision-impaired, physical, sound) Medium priority	Continue to improve parks and facilities for those with disabilities (vision-impaired, physical, sound) Low priority	Continue to improve parks and facilities for those with disabilities (vision-impaired, physical, sound) Not a priority
Expand aquatics programs	Expand aquatics programs High priority	Expand aquatics programs Medium priority	Expand aquatics programs Low priority	Expand aquatics programs Not a priority
Expand sports programs/sports facilities	Expand sports programs/sports facilities High priority	Expand sports programs/sports facilities Medium priority	Expand sports programs/sports facilities Low priority	Expand sports programs/sports facilities Not a priority
Expand/enhance outdoor and environmental education programs (building bird houses, fishing, canoeing, water quality)	Expand/enhance outdoor and environmental education programs (building bird houses, fishing, canoeing, water quality) High priority	Expand/enhance outdoor and environmental education programs (building bird houses, fishing, canoeing, water quality) Medium priority	Expand/enhance outdoor and environmental education programs (building bird houses, fishing, canoeing, water quality) Low priority	Expand/enhance outdoor and environmental education programs (building bird houses, fishing, canoeing, water quality) Not a priority
Expand/enhance general recreation programs	Expand/enhance general recreation programs High priority	Expand/enhance general recreation programs Medium priority	Expand/enhance general recreation programs Low priority	Expand/enhance general recreation programs Not a priority
Improve habitat and ecological restoration and protection efforts including water quality (butterfly gardens, pollinator habitat, buffer strips)	Improve habitat and ecological restoration and protection efforts including water quality (butterfly gardens, pollinator habitat, buffer strips) High priority	Improve habitat and ecological restoration and protection efforts including water quality (butterfly gardens, pollinator habitat, buffer strips) Medium priority	Improve habitat and ecological restoration and protection efforts including water quality (butterfly gardens, pollinator habitat, buffer strips) Low priority	Improve habitat and ecological restoration and protection efforts including water quality (butterfly gardens, pollinator habitat, buffer strips) Not a priority
Find more ways to generate revenue for the system	Find more ways to generate revenue for the system High priority	Find more ways to generate revenue for the system Medium priority	Find more ways to generate revenue for the system Low priority	Find more ways to generate revenue for the system Not a priority
Expand the volunteer network and services supporting the system	Expand the volunteer network and services supporting the system High priority	Expand the volunteer network and services supporting the system Medium priority	Expand the volunteer network and services supporting the system Low priority	Expand the volunteer network and services supporting the system Not a priority
Opportunities to locally grow food	Opportunities to locally grow food High priority	Opportunities to locally grow food Medium priority	Opportunities to locally grow food Low priority	Opportunities to locally grow food Not a priority

Question Title

* 1. Please indicate how frequently you use the following parks and recreation facilities in the City of Des Moines.

Question Title

* 2. If you mostly use parks and facilities outside the city limits, please describe.

Question Title

* 3. What do you see as the overall STRENGTHS of the current Des Moines Parks and Recreation System? PLEASE CHECK NO MORE THAN THREE

Question Title

* 4. What do you see as the greatest CHALLENGES facing the Des Moines Parks and Recreation System? PLEASE CHECK NO MORE THAN THREE

Question Title

* 5. WHY do you use Des Moines Parks and Recreation Facilities? PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY

Question Title

* 6. If you could make ONE CHANGE to the Des Moines Parks and Recreation System that would best prepare it to serve all Des Moines residents into the distant future, what would it be?

Question Title

* 7. For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you see this as a High, Medium, or Low Priority for the City Parks and Recreation Department – or perhaps NOT a priority.

Question Title

* 8. What else do you want to tell us about the Des Moines Parks and Recreation system of the future and what we should do to plan for it?

Question Title

* 9. Are you a Des Moines resident?

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* 10. What is your zip code?

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* 11. Which category best describes your age?

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* 12. Which category best describes your gender identity?

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* 13. Do you have children under the age of 18 living with you full- or part-time at home?

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* 14. What is your race?

* 3. What do you see as the overall STRENGTHS of the current Des Moines Parks and Recreation System?
PLEASE CHECK NO MORE THAN THREE