Four hundred twenty-four surveys were returned to the Plymouth Park Department for use in updating the park’s 5-year Plan. The plan is required to apply for several grants.
During Tuesday’s Plymouth Park Board meeting, Recreation Director Abby Collins gave an overview of the survey results. Two-thirds of the surveys were completed by citizens who live within the city limits while one-third live outside the city limits. It was also noted that 2% of the surveys were completed by people who live outside of Marshall County.
The survey asked people to rate the parks in the city and 53.77% gave a rating of high quality while 27.59% rated them as neither high nor low quality.
Collins said some of the improvements people suggested included the restrooms at Price’s Pond, the main restrooms in Centennial Park along with the restroom facilities by the softball diamond and the tennis courts. She also said there was a lot of concern with the wooden play structure in the front of the park and suggestions were for a restoration project there. People also want to see the scoreboard at the C-league diamond improved and they also recommended security cameras around the park for safety concerns.
One of the specific questions on the survey asked what to do with the pool in Centennial Park which is over 50 years old. There were several options with one being to build a new one similar to what we have, create a pool splash/pad combination, construct a large splash pad or just get rid of the pool. 171 people said they liked the current pool while 197 felt a pool/splash pad combination was better. They also referred to Kokomo Beach and the Rochester pool. Only a few surveys, 56, said to get rid of the pool or selected the splash pad only option.
Some people suggested renovations to the current pool and Collins said the concrete is cracked and distorted under the lining in the pool area and while they have made repairs to the concrete over the years, it needs excessive work now. She also said the water and sewer lines need to be replaced, stating, “We are losing nearly 150,000 to 200,000 gallons of water each season due to leaks in the water lines.” Collins commented that the plumbing in the pool house has issues, and the best solution is, “to tear it all out and start over.”
Some survey results suggested the park department provide more events such as live music, movies and plays in the park, festivals, adult and food truck events along with kids’ classes and exercise classes.
The question on the facilities in the park showed survey takers suggesting expansion of the Greenway Trail, creating of a reception hall/recreational gym, expanding the frisbee golf, sidewalks along the streets, updates to the girls softball facilities, outdoor exercise equipment and more seating throughout the parks.
The Plymouth Park Board will take these survey results and incorporate them into the 5-year plan.
