Botanic Park and Oasis one of the most appealing options for expenditures.
Posted on October 1, 2024 2024DC OutdoorsNews and Events
More than 4,000 Douglas County residents voiced their opinions about present and future spending on parks, trails, historic resources, and open space amenities via a countywide citizen survey designed to assess investment priorities for the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund – revealing unique preferences specific to individual communities.
Of the key findings, when asked to weigh the value of open space compared with additional active parks, open space was chosen by a better-than-2-to-1 margin in countywide results, with 69% for open space to 31% for active parks.
When presented with several options for the development of an “iconic” larger park or recreational facility in the future, one preferred choice was for “a large Botanic Park and Oasis with global flora, garden, conservatories, pools, trails, and seasonal events and experiences.” A 52% majority found that description appealing and 45% found it most or next-most appealing versus five other options.
Close in appeal was “a mega-complex of sports fields & facilities large enough to host state, regional, & nationwide youth & adult sports & cheer tournaments & events.” Thirty-eight percent (38%) found that to be appealing and 33% ranked it in the top two in appeal.
The same countywide results revealed that opinions are split on the desirability of developing smaller neighborhood parks versus larger regional parks. “Larger regional parks with multiple uses and facilities” garnered 53% support while 47% expressed a preference for “smaller neighborhood parks with fewer, more focused facilities.”
Results from Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker public opinion shed light on distinct differences in priorities for the County Parks, Trails, Historic Resources, and Open Space Fund regarding the same questions.
In Highlands Ranch, 71% expressed a desire for smaller neighborhood parks; while Castle Rock (63%) and Parker (67%) desired larger regional parks; and Lone Tree respondents were split on the desirability of developing smaller neighborhood parks (48%) versus larger regional parks (52%).
Countywide survey results were evenly divided regarding the most desirable types of facilities. Half (50%) want more courts (for tennis, pickleball, racquet and handball, and basketball), while the other 50% want more ballfields (for baseball, softball, and soccer).
At the community level, 68% of Highlands Ranch residents, expressed a desire for more courts vs. 32% for more ballfields; 62% of Lone Tree residents want more courts compared with 38% wanting ball fields; while Castle Rock wants more ball fields (66%) vs. 34% who want more courts; and Parker (61%) desired more ball fields and 39% more courts.
Nearly 80% of all survey respondents said they regularly or occasionally “use a park, trails, historic resources or open space inside Douglas County,” and are generally well satisfied with the county’s parks, trails, open space, and recreation programs. This familiarity with county amenities provided “great confidence” in the accuracy of the survey results due to the informed opinion shared by participants, noted Dr. David Hill, Hill Research Consultants, who designed, implemented the survey, and analyzed the survey data.
“Our Board is united in our belief that quantifiable, representative public opinion is a valuable resource in guiding the Board’s funding and policy decisions,” said Douglas County Commissioner and Board Chair, George Teal on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners. “We want the residents of Douglas County to know that we hear you loud and clear and that via this survey the taxpayer voice is at the policy table with us during our review and consideration of Fund investment proposals. We are immensely grateful for all the individuals throughout the County who participated in this survey.”
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