South Algonquin Township Future Directions Survey 2016

Survey Purpose

The Township of South Algonquin invites all permanent and seasonal residents to become part of the planning process for the future of your community by completing this "Future Directions Survey 2016". Your participation in this survey will ensure that the resulting plan will be a true reflection of what you have identified as both issues and opportunities for the future of South Algonquin. This survey can also be completed on-line by visiting www.southalgonquin.ca.

All results are confidential and will be reported in total numbers with no identifiable individuals or organizations. The results will form part of the Future Directions Strategy which will be finalized early in the fall of 2016.

The community consultation will continue with two public meetings in Whitney and Madawaska on each of May 18 and June 6. May 18 in Madawaska (4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the Madawaska Complex, 26A Major Lake Rd.) and Whitney (7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Lester Smith Building, 32 Hay Creek Rd.) The May 18 meetings will focus on how we can build on the assets South Algonquin already has, and the creation of Mission and Vision Statements to guide us. The June 6 meetings ( 4:30 to 6:00 pm in Whitney and the 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Madawaska) will use the ideas collected at the first meetings, information from focus groups conducted with the assistance of Brock University, and the preliminary results from this survey, together with input from attendees, to develop a Future Directions Action Plan for moving forward.
Your input is valuable. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey on-line or on paper copy. Blank surveys and drop boxes for completed forms can be found at the Township office and other locations in both Whitney and Madawaska. The deadline for completing the survey on-line or completing a paper copy is May 31, 2016.

* 1. What kind of resident most describes you? Check all that apply.

Permanent/year-round resident

Seasonal resident

Own a business in South Algonquin but do not reside in the township

Own a business in South Algonquin

Other (please specify)

* 2. If you are NOT a Seasonal Resident please skip to Question 5.
How many weeks per year do you use your seasonal residence on average? Please check one.

Two weeks or less

2 to 4 weeks

4 to 8 weeks

8 to 20 weeks

More than 20 weeks

* 3. How long has your family owned this seasonal residence? Check one.

Less than 5 years

5 to 15 years

16 to 30 years

More than 30 years

* 4. What are your future intentions for your seasonal property? Please check all that apply.

Continue to use the property about the same amount of time as used currently

Increase the use of the property seasonally

Do a major renovation or tear down and re-build

Make this property my year-round residence within the next 5 years

Rent out the property at least one week per year

Reduce use or sell the property

Build on a currently undeveloped property

* 5. How often do you participate in the following activities?

	Often	Occasionally	Would like to start	Not interested	Not sure
Boating (motor, canoe, kayak, sailing etc.)	Boating (motor, canoe, kayak, sailing etc.) Often	Boating (motor, canoe, kayak, sailing etc.) Occasionally	Boating (motor, canoe, kayak, sailing etc.) Would like to start	Boating (motor, canoe, kayak, sailing etc.) Not interested	Boating (motor, canoe, kayak, sailing etc.) Not sure
Hiking Trails in South Algonquin	Hiking Trails in South Algonquin Often	Hiking Trails in South Algonquin Occasionally	Hiking Trails in South Algonquin Would like to start	Hiking Trails in South Algonquin Not interested	Hiking Trails in South Algonquin Not sure
Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park	Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park Often	Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park Occasionally	Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park Would like to start	Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park Not interested	Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park Not sure
Snowshoeing/cross-country skiing	Snowshoeing/cross-country skiing Often	Snowshoeing/cross-country skiing Occasionally	Snowshoeing/cross-country skiing Would like to start	Snowshoeing/cross-country skiing Not interested	Snowshoeing/cross-country skiing Not sure
ATV Riding	ATV Riding Often	ATV Riding Occasionally	ATV Riding Would like to start	ATV Riding Not interested	ATV Riding Not sure
Snowmobiling	Snowmobiling Often	Snowmobiling Occasionally	Snowmobiling Would like to start	Snowmobiling Not interested	Snowmobiling Not sure
Horseback riding	Horseback riding Often	Horseback riding Occasionally	Horseback riding Would like to start	Horseback riding Not interested	Horseback riding Not sure
Camping in Algonquin Park (car camping or interior)	Camping in Algonquin Park (car camping or interior) Often	Camping in Algonquin Park (car camping or interior) Occasionally	Camping in Algonquin Park (car camping or interior) Would like to start	Camping in Algonquin Park (car camping or interior) Not interested	Camping in Algonquin Park (car camping or interior) Not sure
Attending other programs/facilities in Algonquin Park (e.g. Visitor Centre, Logging Museum)	Attending other programs/facilities in Algonquin Park (e.g. Visitor Centre, Logging Museum) Often	Attending other programs/facilities in Algonquin Park (e.g. Visitor Centre, Logging Museum) Occasionally	Attending other programs/facilities in Algonquin Park (e.g. Visitor Centre, Logging Museum) Would like to start	Attending other programs/facilities in Algonquin Park (e.g. Visitor Centre, Logging Museum) Not interested	Attending other programs/facilities in Algonquin Park (e.g. Visitor Centre, Logging Museum) Not sure
Attending special community events in South Algonquin	Attending special community events in South Algonquin Often	Attending special community events in South Algonquin Occasionally	Attending special community events in South Algonquin Would like to start	Attending special community events in South Algonquin Not interested	Attending special community events in South Algonquin Not sure
Hunting	Hunting Often	Hunting Occasionally	Hunting Would like to start	Hunting Not interested	Hunting Not sure
Fishing	Fishing Often	Fishing Occasionally	Fishing Would like to start	Fishing Not interested	Fishing Not sure
Local library	Local library Often	Local library Occasionally	Local library Would like to start	Local library Not interested	Local library Not sure
Antique/gift shopping/art galleries	Antique/gift shopping/art galleries Often	Antique/gift shopping/art galleries Occasionally	Antique/gift shopping/art galleries Would like to start	Antique/gift shopping/art galleries Not interested	Antique/gift shopping/art galleries Not sure
Farmers Market	Farmers Market Often	Farmers Market Occasionally	Farmers Market Would like to start	Farmers Market Not interested	Farmers Market Not sure
Visit to "hot spot" for internet access	Visit to "hot spot" for internet access Often	Visit to "hot spot" for internet access Occasionally	Visit to "hot spot" for internet access Would like to start	Visit to "hot spot" for internet access Not interested	Visit to "hot spot" for internet access Not sure
Restaurants in South Algonquin	Restaurants in South Algonquin Often	Restaurants in South Algonquin Occasionally	Restaurants in South Algonquin Would like to start	Restaurants in South Algonquin Not interested	Restaurants in South Algonquin Not sure

* 6. What is the best way to communicate with you? Please check all that apply.

Social media

Township website

Township bulletin in tax bill

Local newspapers

Through your Cottage Association

Local radio

Posters/flyers

Postal service

Other (please specify)

* 7. For each of the following, please rate South Algonquin. One response per item please.

	Excellent	Good	Fair	Needs improvement	Not sure or Not applicable
Internet access	Internet access Excellent	Internet access Good	Internet access Fair	Internet access Needs improvement	Internet access Not sure or Not applicable
Access to support for new business development (financial, business planning)	Access to support for new business development (financial, business planning) Excellent	Access to support for new business development (financial, business planning) Good	Access to support for new business development (financial, business planning) Fair	Access to support for new business development (financial, business planning) Needs improvement	Access to support for new business development (financial, business planning) Not sure or Not applicable
Local availability of goods and services (shopping opportunities)	Local availability of goods and services (shopping opportunities) Excellent	Local availability of goods and services (shopping opportunities) Good	Local availability of goods and services (shopping opportunities) Fair	Local availability of goods and services (shopping opportunities) Needs improvement	Local availability of goods and services (shopping opportunities) Not sure or Not applicable
Local initiatives to support year-round tourism (e.g. special events, trail system etc.)	Local initiatives to support year-round tourism (e.g. special events, trail system etc.) Excellent	Local initiatives to support year-round tourism (e.g. special events, trail system etc.) Good	Local initiatives to support year-round tourism (e.g. special events, trail system etc.) Fair	Local initiatives to support year-round tourism (e.g. special events, trail system etc.) Needs improvement	Local initiatives to support year-round tourism (e.g. special events, trail system etc.) Not sure or Not applicable
Overall state of the local economy	Overall state of the local economy Excellent	Overall state of the local economy Good	Overall state of the local economy Fair	Overall state of the local economy Needs improvement	Overall state of the local economy Not sure or Not applicable
Access to banking services	Access to banking services Excellent	Access to banking services Good	Access to banking services Fair	Access to banking services Needs improvement	Access to banking services Not sure or Not applicable
Access to transportation services	Access to transportation services Excellent	Access to transportation services Good	Access to transportation services Fair	Access to transportation services Needs improvement	Access to transportation services Not sure or Not applicable
Medical services	Medical services Excellent	Medical services Good	Medical services Fair	Medical services Needs improvement	Medical services Not sure or Not applicable
Libraries	Libraries Excellent	Libraries Good	Libraries Fair	Libraries Needs improvement	Libraries Not sure or Not applicable
Access to suitable housing	Access to suitable housing Excellent	Access to suitable housing Good	Access to suitable housing Fair	Access to suitable housing Needs improvement	Access to suitable housing Not sure or Not applicable
Recreational activities for seniors	Recreational activities for seniors Excellent	Recreational activities for seniors Good	Recreational activities for seniors Fair	Recreational activities for seniors Needs improvement	Recreational activities for seniors Not sure or Not applicable
Recreational activities for adults	Recreational activities for adults Excellent	Recreational activities for adults Good	Recreational activities for adults Fair	Recreational activities for adults Needs improvement	Recreational activities for adults Not sure or Not applicable
Recreational activities for children and youth	Recreational activities for children and youth Excellent	Recreational activities for children and youth Good	Recreational activities for children and youth Fair	Recreational activities for children and youth Needs improvement	Recreational activities for children and youth Not sure or Not applicable
Schools	Schools Excellent	Schools Good	Schools Fair	Schools Needs improvement	Schools Not sure or Not applicable
Community Special Events	Community Special Events Excellent	Community Special Events Good	Community Special Events Fair	Community Special Events Needs improvement	Community Special Events Not sure or Not applicable
Cultural and entertainment opportunities	Cultural and entertainment opportunities Excellent	Cultural and entertainment opportunities Good	Cultural and entertainment opportunities Fair	Cultural and entertainment opportunities Needs improvement	Cultural and entertainment opportunities Not sure or Not applicable
Access to quality childcare	Access to quality childcare Excellent	Access to quality childcare Good	Access to quality childcare Fair	Access to quality childcare Needs improvement	Access to quality childcare Not sure or Not applicable
Garbage/recycling	Garbage/recycling Excellent	Garbage/recycling Good	Garbage/recycling Fair	Garbage/recycling Needs improvement	Garbage/recycling Not sure or Not applicable
Pedestrian friendliness of communities (lighting, sidewalks)	Pedestrian friendliness of communities (lighting, sidewalks) Excellent	Pedestrian friendliness of communities (lighting, sidewalks) Good	Pedestrian friendliness of communities (lighting, sidewalks) Fair	Pedestrian friendliness of communities (lighting, sidewalks) Needs improvement	Pedestrian friendliness of communities (lighting, sidewalks) Not sure or Not applicable
Attractiveness of downtown areas in Whitney and Madawaska	Attractiveness of downtown areas in Whitney and Madawaska Excellent	Attractiveness of downtown areas in Whitney and Madawaska Good	Attractiveness of downtown areas in Whitney and Madawaska Fair	Attractiveness of downtown areas in Whitney and Madawaska Needs improvement	Attractiveness of downtown areas in Whitney and Madawaska Not sure or Not applicable
Municipal Staff (friendliness/responsive/communication)	Municipal Staff (friendliness/responsive/communication) Excellent	Municipal Staff (friendliness/responsive/communication) Good	Municipal Staff (friendliness/responsive/communication) Fair	Municipal Staff (friendliness/responsive/communication) Needs improvement	Municipal Staff (friendliness/responsive/communication) Not sure or Not applicable
Fire services	Fire services Excellent	Fire services Good	Fire services Fair	Fire services Needs improvement	Fire services Not sure or Not applicable
Ambulance service	Ambulance service Excellent	Ambulance service Good	Ambulance service Fair	Ambulance service Needs improvement	Ambulance service Not sure or Not applicable
Directional road signage	Directional road signage Excellent	Directional road signage Good	Directional road signage Fair	Directional road signage Needs improvement	Directional road signage Not sure or Not applicable
Overall quality of the environment	Overall quality of the environment Excellent	Overall quality of the environment Good	Overall quality of the environment Fair	Overall quality of the environment Needs improvement	Overall quality of the environment Not sure or Not applicable
Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings	Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Excellent	Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Good	Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Fair	Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Needs improvement	Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Not sure or Not applicable

* 8. What should the Township's top three priorities be for the next ten years? Please select ONLY your top three choices and rank them First Priority, Second Priority or Third Priority.

	First Priorty	Second Priority	Third Priority
Community Economic Development (efforts to improve the local economy, improve employment, build on existing assets, attract new business, encourage existing business expansion, improve access to business planning support)	Community Economic Development (efforts to improve the local economy, improve employment, build on existing assets, attract new business, encourage existing business expansion, improve access to business planning support) First Priorty	Community Economic Development (efforts to improve the local economy, improve employment, build on existing assets, attract new business, encourage existing business expansion, improve access to business planning support) Second Priority	Community Economic Development (efforts to improve the local economy, improve employment, build on existing assets, attract new business, encourage existing business expansion, improve access to business planning support) Third Priority
Build on existing advantage of being located next door to Algonquin Park (improved trails, nature programming, marketing strategy to attract people into south Algonquin from the Park)	Build on existing advantage of being located next door to Algonquin Park (improved trails, nature programming, marketing strategy to attract people into south Algonquin from the Park) First Priorty	Build on existing advantage of being located next door to Algonquin Park (improved trails, nature programming, marketing strategy to attract people into south Algonquin from the Park) Second Priority	Build on existing advantage of being located next door to Algonquin Park (improved trails, nature programming, marketing strategy to attract people into south Algonquin from the Park) Third Priority
Environmental protection (protection of natural areas, water quality etc.)	Environmental protection (protection of natural areas, water quality etc.) First Priorty	Environmental protection (protection of natural areas, water quality etc.) Second Priority	Environmental protection (protection of natural areas, water quality etc.) Third Priority
Grow the Tourism Sector	Grow the Tourism Sector First Priorty	Grow the Tourism Sector Second Priority	Grow the Tourism Sector Third Priority
Grow the Forestry Sector	Grow the Forestry Sector First Priorty	Grow the Forestry Sector Second Priority	Grow the Forestry Sector Third Priority
Improve community services (healthcare, housing, childcare, programs for seniors/children etc.)	Improve community services (healthcare, housing, childcare, programs for seniors/children etc.) First Priorty	Improve community services (healthcare, housing, childcare, programs for seniors/children etc.) Second Priority	Improve community services (healthcare, housing, childcare, programs for seniors/children etc.) Third Priority
Improve communication with local government	Improve communication with local government First Priorty	Improve communication with local government Second Priority	Improve communication with local government Third Priority
Improved township services (roads, fire services, garbage collection/disposal etc.)	Improved township services (roads, fire services, garbage collection/disposal etc.) First Priorty	Improved township services (roads, fire services, garbage collection/disposal etc.) Second Priority	Improved township services (roads, fire services, garbage collection/disposal etc.) Third Priority
Make communities more pedestrian friendly (improve lighting, sidewalks, improved accessibility)	Make communities more pedestrian friendly (improve lighting, sidewalks, improved accessibility) First Priorty	Make communities more pedestrian friendly (improve lighting, sidewalks, improved accessibility) Second Priority	Make communities more pedestrian friendly (improve lighting, sidewalks, improved accessibility) Third Priority
Improved cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages	Improved cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages First Priorty	Improved cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages Second Priority	Improved cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages Third Priority
Greater protection and celebration of heritage places/people/places	Greater protection and celebration of heritage places/people/places First Priorty	Greater protection and celebration of heritage places/people/places Second Priority	Greater protection and celebration of heritage places/people/places Third Priority
Other	Other First Priorty	Other Second Priority	Other Third Priority

Other (please specify)

* 9. What ideas do you have for new community special events in South Algonquin?

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

* 10. What are three realistic projects South Algonquin could work on in the next ten years?

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

* 11. Imagine you left South Algonquin for ten years and are now returning to see all the changes that have been made. Describe your vision of what you would like to see on your return to the community.

* 12. What is your age category? Please check one.

Under 18 years

18 to 30 years

31 to 45 years

46 to 65 years

66 to 80 years

80 years+

* 13. What is your gender?

Female

Male

* 14. The Township would like to enhance programs in the community. Please identify ways you could contribute to the development of new programs. Please check all that apply.

Assist on a planning committee for a new program or event

Help organize a fundraiser

Make items for a fundraiser (e.g. bake, knit, build)

Promote activities on a social media page

Connect program organizers with others in the community who could help

Assist with creating a budget for the new program

Solicit donations of materials or community volunteers

Organize volunteers

Design marketing materials such as posters, on-line promotions, brochures

Prepare funding applications

Deliver flyers/put up posters

Promote at a trade show/or through your tourism-based business (e.g. display brochures/posters)

Other (please specify)

* 15. Do you have any other comments, ideas or suggestions that have not already been covered in the survey? You are welcome to use the back of the page for ideas if you are completing a hard copy.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

* 16. If you indicated an interest in helping in question #14, please provide your name and telephone number or email so we can contact you about assisting with the libraries, recreation or other initiatives.

* 1. What kind of resident most describes you? Check all that apply.

* 2. If you are NOT a Seasonal Resident please skip to Question 5. How many weeks per year do you use your seasonal residence on average? Please check one.

* 3. How long has your family owned this seasonal residence? Check one.

* 4. What are your future intentions for your seasonal property? Please check all that apply.

* 5. How often do you participate in the following activities?

* 6. What is the best way to communicate with you? Please check all that apply.

* 7. For each of the following, please rate South Algonquin. One response per item please.

* 8. What should the Township's top three priorities be for the next ten years? Please select ONLY your top three choices and rank them First Priority, Second Priority or Third Priority.

* 9. What ideas do you have for new community special events in South Algonquin?

* 10. What are three realistic projects South Algonquin could work on in the next ten years?

* 11. Imagine you left South Algonquin for ten years and are now returning to see all the changes that have been made. Describe your vision of what you would like to see on your return to the community.

* 12. What is your age category? Please check one.

* 13. What is your gender?

* 14. The Township would like to enhance programs in the community. Please identify ways you could contribute to the development of new programs. Please check all that apply.

* 15. Do you have any other comments, ideas or suggestions that have not already been covered in the survey? You are welcome to use the back of the page for ideas if you are completing a hard copy. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

* 16. If you indicated an interest in helping in question #14, please provide your name and telephone number or email so we can contact you about assisting with the libraries, recreation or other initiatives.

* 2. If you are NOT a Seasonal Resident please skip to Question 5.
How many weeks per year do you use your seasonal residence on average? Please check one.

* 15. Do you have any other comments, ideas or suggestions that have not already been covered in the survey? You are welcome to use the back of the page for ideas if you are completing a hard copy.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.