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Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Experience NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR MASTER PLAN (2007) Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Leisure Vision conducted a parks and recreation citizen survey during the winter of 2007-08 as part of a comprehensive long range plan for this County of over 800,000 residents. The survey was designed to obtain statistically valid results from households throughout Mecklenburg County to help establish priorities for the future of parks, greenways, trails, recreation facilities, wildlife habitats, programs and services within the County. The survey was administered by a combination of mail and phone. Leisure Vision worked extensively with Mecklenburg County officials, as well as the Pros Consulting project team in the development of the survey questionnaire. This work allowed the survey to be tailored to issues of strategic importance to effectively plan the future system. Leisure Vision mailed surveys to a random sample of 5,000 households throughout Mecklenburg County. Approximately three days after the surveys were mailed; each household that received a survey also received an electronic voice message encouraging them to complete the survey. In addition, about two weeks after the surveys were mailed; Leisure Vision began contacting households by phone. Those who indicated they had not returned the survey were given the option of completing it by phone. The goal was to obtain a total of at least 1,000 completed surveys. This goal was accomplished, with a total of 1,03 3 surveys having been completed. The results of the random sample of 1,03 3 households have a 95% level of confidence with a precision of at least+/-3.0%. Extensive cross-tabular analysis of survey responses was conducted for a wide range of demographic factors, including age of respondents, gender, household size and types, income, education, etc. Results were also compared to Leisure Vision's national database of survey responses. Results from the survey were used as a cornerstone for successful voter election held in November of 2008, resulting in the passage of a $250 million bond issue to fund parks and recreation facilities improvements and new projects. JIM GARGES, Director Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department 5841 Brookshire Boulevard Charlotte,North Carolina 28216 (704) 336-3854 Leisure Vision Needs Assessment Experience- 15