Master Plan Citizen Comments from the October 18 meeting:
Meeting Place: James City County Parks & Recreation - James City-Williamsburg Community Center
Two groups – one adult and one youth:
Group 1 – Adults
1. When it comes to parks, programs and facilities – what does Parks & Recreation do well?
- Programs
- Rec Connect (the school-age Before and After School and Summer Camp programs for elementary and Middle school youth)
- RAD Program (self-defense training to "resist aggression defensively")
- Before & After School
- Aqua Tot & Adult Swimming
- WISC preschool – Kids Club
- Youth soccer
- WISC gymnastics
- Halloween/Upper County Park
- Parks & Facilities
- Waller Mill; Little Creek Reservoir; Chickahominy Riverfront Park; Upper County Park and Freedom Park
2. In reference to those parks, programs and facilities – in what areas do we need to improve?
- Program:
- *Increase Rowing-Williamsburg Boat Club needs boathouse
- *Days of Discovery expanded to Saturdays and non-school days- special needs
- *Rec Connect and Before & After for high school students special needs, summer
- *any program - special needs kids to have a buddy or helper
- Parks & Facilities
- *Longhill Road – facility too crowded – expansion planned?
- *Pool room is stifling in summer; air quality poor; exercise room – increased demand
- *Gordon Creek – rowing facility needs lights and water
3. Think about the next five years and beyond – what do you feel will be your – or your family’s - greatest needs in programs, parks and facilities? (Meeting participants ranked priorities. Number of votes appears first)
- Program Priorities
- 30 – Programs to reduce childhood obesity
- 28- Increase priority programs for seniors, example, leagues for shuffleboard, bocci ball, lawn bowling, etc. -
- 26 - Rowing
- 24 - Opportunities to participate competitively for special needs children
- 18- Expansion of Rec Connect to high school programs for special needs
- 13 - Large community special events
- 11 - Mini-triathlon
- Parks & Facility Priorities
- 35 - Access to James River from the Grove with a waterway trail from upper end to lower end of the County.
- 30 - Boathouse – Chickahominy Riverfront Park
- 25 - Expand Longhill facility – weights, pool, cardio all overcrowded.
- 22 - Children’s/Senior golf course – 9 hole par 3 short course, easier to maintain and afford.
- 19 - Children’s Museum
- 13 - Teen Center – not restricted to teens only, possibility with Senior Center
- 6 - 50-meter pool – many reasons why needed
4. As users of Parks & Recreation services, do you feel we’ve adequately addressed your future needs? If not, what have we missed?
- *Agricultural connection - horseback riding, petting Zoo, farm - concern will be lost if not preserved now.
- * Living room area for community (wasn’t this a positive, not reflected on flip chart)
- * Possibly build a facility in upper County?
- * Connecting bike/pedestrian trails
- * More programs for under 3 year olds
- * Personnel development
5. And finally, do you any additional comments or concerns about Parks & Recreation services today?
- * Better way to have membership and admittance
- * Online registration? Bar code?
- * Something at parks for all ages
Group #2 - Youth
1. When it comes to parks, programs and facilities – what does Parks & Recreation do well?
- friendly staff
- clean & available facility
- swimming pool available to WAC
2. In reference to those parks, programs and facilities – in what areas do we need to improve?
- Advertisement of programs offered
- Availability of workout equipment
3. Think about the next five years and beyond – what do you feel will be your – or your family’s - greatest needs in programs, parks and facilities? (Meeting participants ranked priorities. Number of votes appears first)
- Program Priorities:
- 39 - Dances
- 25 – Rock Climbing
- 18 – Indoor H20 Park
- 16 - Work-out equipment (more)
- 13 - Security for activities
- 12 – Arcade
- 5 - Elementary Age Activities w/arcades (5) and Chucky Cheese atmosphere (2)
- 2 - Youth Night/Senior Night at various locations
- Parks & Facility Priorities:
- The youth would like a facility where they can/have/play:
- 33 - Food
- 15 – Pool Hall
- 7 - Arcade games
- 5 - Dance
- 3 – Music
- They would also like to have an Indoor Pool Place with a 50-meter pool (27) and multiple hot tubs (6).
- They are concerned that facilities are:
- Environmentally sensitive (15) with open space/nature (7)
- (Not rated on sheet) Security
- The youth would also like to have a place to Roller Skate (14)