Va. Park Survey Results

Results of Questionnaire/ Summary

The landscape architecture students from the University of Illinois are working to develop a design for Virginia Park in the East St. Louis that would respond to residents need. A preliminary part of their research was to survey neighborhood residents to get ideas that would help to develop designs that most fit their needs and desires. A brief summary of the results follow.

· A majority of respondents visit Virginia Park either weekly or occasionally, but they do not visit the park every day. They use the park for recreation purposes and those with kids take their children to play on the playground equipment. Some residents also like to use the park for a cookout or other family parties and special events.

· Desired elements envisioned by residents for the future of Virginia Park are as follows: playground equipment for youth, fun festivals and other events, sports, community gardening, walking paths for seniors, cooking equipment/bathrooms with clean running water, picnic tables, more family activities and increased security.

· Many residents do not use Virginia Park because they do not think there are many things to do: they see no walking or exercise trails and expect major updating of equipment. On the one hand residents raise issues of safety and indicate possible presence of drug dealers or even unattractive location of Virginia Park as its main disadvantages. On the other hand, location and short distance to the park became it’s the most important positive characteristics.