Here are the results of our survey, which was sent to all 350 or so property owners in TSA earlier in 2015. We received 63 responses – for a response rate of 18 percent.
PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Those surveyed were very split in their views on what improvements they most want to see in the park. Their two favorite options were a gazebo and a running track, with more playground equipment their third choice and a basketball court their fourth.
Eighteen respondents made the running track their first choice while the same number listed the gazebo as their first choice.
Eight said the gazebo was their second choice, while seven said a running track was their second choice. Eight had a gazebo as third choice, and one as a fourth choice. Five listed the running track as their third choice, and three as a fourth choice.
A basketball court was the first choice of five people, while six more had it as their second choice. Two more had it as their third choice, and three as a fourth choice.
Eleven people listed more or better playground equipment as their top priority. Six put it as their second choice, two more had it as a third choice, and six as a fourth choice.
Those who wanted to see more playground equipment suggested various types: A fort, better swings, tunnel, climbing wall, see saws, merry go round, jungle gym, climbing tube, replace rocking horses, replace rocks with chipped rubber, and so on.
There were also other suggestions for improvements in the park: garbage cans for dog poop and so on, a fence on perimeter to keep out vehicles, tennis courts, picnic shelters, baseball field, benches.
At the same time, a number of those surveyed were complimentary of how well kept up the park is. Some said the park doesn’t need any improvements and the subdivision should focus on other areas, such as improving the streets. (those are separate pools of money, by the way)
Some sample comments: “We like it just the way it is, it looks great. It seems like the kids’ play area has been vandalized already after the new improvements, which is too bad.”…..”Enough, no more equipment, maintain what’s there now.”…..”We are not in favor of the gazebo and we are concerned the people will leave garbage after their picnic….”….”replace the rocks with chipped rubber”….”Lets put park benches or picnic tables around the park.”….baseball diamond and fence around playground to keep dogs out….gliders, tunnels and things to climb and crawl into …..
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLES
Here, too, sentiments of TSA residents were mixed.
Fifteen said discontinue the candles, while ten said keep up the tradition as done in the past.
The largest number – 28 – said keep doing the luminaries but make changes.
Four liked the idea of hiring a group or asking a volunteer organization to take over the task. A similar number suggested cutting back the candles to the TSA entrance and near the LDS church. And 11 liked the idea of making candles and bags available ahead of time to anyone who wants to pick them up to put them out on their streets or property. Some folks picked more than one option.
Some sample comments: “I never know about this until they deliver the bags. Better notification/announcement needed.”…..”Make it a community event or a specific date. Bighorn Road does it on Christmas Eve at 10 am. We can finish it in 2 hours. Maybe the church will allow us to fill bags in their parking lot.”…..”I think it is a great tradition but it seems I’m never well on Christmas Eve and it has been challenging to light them each year…”….”I would help I just never know where to meet and when.”….”
Some people suggested getting LED lights to replace regular candles, which don’t always work well when it is windy and can be difficult to light. We’ve looked into them and they are a lot more expensive than regular candles. There’s also the problem of getting LED lights collected after Christmas Eve, as many people don’t pick up their candles after the event and the LED lights are too costly to let go to waste.
If you are wondering why the numbers don’t add up in each category to 63, some respondents had opinions on one category or not the other. A few just wanted us to know they were concerned about other issues, such as repair of roads or covenant violations, rather than improvements to the park.We are taking those comments under consideration as we make plans for maintenance of our roads. We also expect to be acting on covenant issues, and will keep you alerted on that. We appreciate the time you took to fill out the survey and consider your input valuable. We will pass on the park information to the Park Board, and use the rest of the information to help us make decisions as we move ahead on TSA issues.