CCP 03-10-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, I I Decision Resources, Lid. i' February, /997 I Parks and Recreation: Arden Hills residents continued to be outdoor enthusiasts: sixty-one percent prefer outdoor I leisure time activities, while fifteen percent opted for the indoors. An exceptionally high eighty- one percent also feel at least "somewhat informed" about the Arden Hills park system and its facilities. Seventy-eight percent of the citizenry use the parks or recreational facilities at least I "occasionally," and a solid eighty-four percent rate them as either "excellent" or "good." The basis for good evaluations was that facilities were clean and kept-up, as well as being good and fun to use; lower evaluations were motivated by the perception that improvements and I expansions could be made. Facilities, then, were viewed fairly positively by most residents. Eighty-two percent of the residents thought the current mix of recreational opportunities met the I needs of their households. Trails, youth facilities, ballfields, a swimming pool, and a skating complex were mentioned as possible additions by relatively small numbers of residents. Like park facilities, recreational programming also appeared to be satisfying the needs of most I residents. In fact, significant majorities supported expanding current recreational programs: sixty-two percent favored more adult recreational programs; seventy percent supported more Ie senior programs; and, seventy-three percent approved of expanding youth programs. I Recycling and Solid Waste Management: A very high ninety-four percent, up six percent since the 1990 study, participated in the curbside I pick-up recycling program; this level of participation was about five percent higher than the current suburban norm. A sixty-five percent majority recycled weekly, while another eighteen percent did so twice monthly. Ninety-two percent, an increase of fifteen percent during the I interim, were satisfied with the program. Of the small number expressing dissatisfaction, one major complaint was leveled: the need to pick-up plastics. Providing further information to residents could increase participation in the curbside pick-up program by another two percent. I The Arden Hills program remained a clear success. On related waste management issues, a solid seventy percent of the community preferred the I present "free-market" refuse hauling system over designation of one company or assignment of haulers to exclusive zones or pick-up days by the City. Fifty-nine percent reported participating during the past five years in the Spring and Fall "Clean Up Days" jointly provided by the Cities I of Arden Hills and Shoreview. But, only twenty percent would favor Arden Hills having its own "Clean Up Day" if it cost more. I 6 Page 6 ~ -