Parks survey reviewed in Mineola City Council workshop

Posted 10/26/16

Results of an eight-month study that included a survey sent to all the city’s water customers about the city’s parks was highlighted in the Mineola City Council workshop Thursday.

Hunter Rush …

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Parks survey reviewed in Mineola City Council workshop

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Results of an eight-month study that included a survey sent to all the city’s water customers about the city’s parks was highlighted in the Mineola City Council workshop Thursday.

Hunter Rush of MHS Planning & Design, LLC, reviewed the highlights of the 40-plus page Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan 2016-2026.

The plan was contracted by the city with the goal of ensuring the provision of a balanced park and open spaces system for the enjoyment of the citizens of Mineola. The study included a community profile, park classification and inventory, level of service, assessment of needs, priorities and an implementation schedule.

Rush told those who were present for the workshop that it was in no way a binding document, but a guide. The plan was on the agenda for Monday’s regular meeting (after Monitor presstime) and will be placed on the city of Mineola website for the public to view.

In addition to surveying city water customers, the planners utilized focus group meetings from groups such as the school district, community leaders and selected students from kindergarten through 12th grades. Out of the 3,000 surveys mailed to city residents with a self-addressed, stamped envelope, 378 were returned and tabulated. Rush remarked on the response, saying the top response they usually get is five percent. The survey states that once the master project list was developed and refined, members of the Parks & Open Spaces Board prioritized every project based on local demand and their perception of needs.

The plan states residents of the city are generally pleased with the existing park system and desire for the city to continue developing and enhancing the park system. Over the past 10 years, about 50 acres of parkland has been developed at the nature preserve. It has increased the number of developed park acres per 1,000 residents to 29.27 acres. The city has focused on developing and enhancing the nature preserve over the past several years.

But, the study states, “It is apparent that many of the citizens wish to see the City now focus on renovating, upgrading and enhancing neighborhood parks within the city limits.” It also states that much has been done through partnerships which has cut down on the costs to Mineola residents.

Of those surveyed, with choices being no response, don’t know, poor, fair, good and excellent, 200 rated the existing parks and recreational facilities as good. When asked if additional parks and recreational facilities are needed, 254 said yes. One hundred ninety-two said they could not reasonably walk to a park or recreational facility in Mineola, while 174 said they could. Nearly all, 329, had visited the nature preserve.

More than 200 said the role of such facilities is more important in Mineola today than 10 years ago. One of the questions asked what additional facilities people wanted. Out of 20 options, the top reply was a swimming pool, two was picnic shelters-pavilions, three was spray grounds-small water parks, four was multi-use paved trails and five was indoor recreational centers. The remaining answers from 6 to 10 in descending order were dog parks, botanical flower gardens, playgrounds, fishing piers-docks, water features and nature areas.

And, the survey even included the direct quotes of comments provided – which were far ranging. They included “More is needed for the kids, keeping them in Mineola,” to “You have to remember the old people. I’m 76 years old.” They ranged from, “Use money for the roads,” to “I feel like any improvements just makes our lovely town of Mineola even better. We always need to improve. Look what happened to other towns.”

The October workshop began with City Administrator Mercy Rushing noting the agenda which had been fine-tuned some. For one, the font on the document was 14-point making it easy to read. It also did not have approval of agenda on it since Rushing said that was unnecessary. She also said that since the department heads’ reports are in the council members’ packets, they will no longer have to give a verbal report in the meeting. However, all will need to be present in the event questions arise. But near the end of the meeting Rushing broached the idea if doing away with the workshop altogether and just holding a single meeting.

She’d surveyed other towns in the area, including Canton, and found most only had one regularly scheduled meeting a month. Winnsboro was the only town that still holds a separate workshop. After some discussion among the three council members present and Mayor Rodney Watkins, they agreed to try holding one meeting through the next few months.

The council also discussed replatting a property on Edwards Street and abandoning an alley in the same area. The council also discussed an easement agreement with Steck Properties for one of the properties which he owns in south Mineola. During the meeting, a citizen, Cassandra Sampson, asked several questions about businesses and development occurring around neighborhoods in Ward 3.

Only three council members were present for the workshop with Polly Jones, Ward 1; Novada Bigham and Mitchell Tuck, Ward 3 absent. No action is taken in the workshops which are solely for discussion.