Small percentage of residents have responded to Parks & Rec survey
Peters Township Parks and Recreation Department has received more than 1,200 responses to a survey about what they want to see included in the township’s new 10-year comprehensive plan for its parks, recreation and green space.
So far, most of the respondents said they want a swimming pool. Others have said they want more running and bike trails, a dog park, while others have said they want bathroom facilities at the township soccer fields, said Monica Merrell, a township commissioner and member of the Parks and Recreation board.
“We are going to evaluate them all,” Merrell said.
Since early February, Peters has been gathering a wish list from its residents on a new master plan for the six township parks and recreation space. The 14-question canvass asks everything from opinions on existing facilities to what needs improved or added to, which swimming pool is currently used, to how often and which township recreational amenities are used. To date, roughly 15 percent of Peters residents have responded to the questionnaire, said Michael Silvestri, the township manager.
On the Parks and Recreation blog, some Peters residents said they could do without a swimming pool if the one at Peters Township High School would be made available to the public. But, others said they would like to have a swimming pool and workout facility with a weight room similar to what can be found in Upper St. Clair. Others said a recreation center that would serve the needs of the entire community is needed.
The survey period is expected to continue for another month. Peters is spending $60,000 on the project and is working with Pashek Associates, a North Side recreation planning firm, to develop a comprehensive plan.
Once the survey period has ended, the existing township facilities and recreational opportunities available to residents will be inventoried and analyzed to see what is needed, Merrell said. When that step is completed, work on the comprehensive plan will begin.
Merrell said the commission usually begins work on the upcoming year’s budget in September. By that time, it will become clear what residents really want, she said. It will also give Peters commissioners enough time to determine if what the residents want is affordable – and practical.
“We will be able to quantify what things will cost,” she said.
Said Silvestri: “Other factors that will need to be part of the final plan will be fiscal, land availability and alternate providers of facilities. In addition, we will be getting more input once the plan comes closer to fruition.”