Which way to play? Residents speak out

In a survey, many pick after-hour activities over organized sports. Suggestions will help shape a recreation plan.

By ED QUIOCO

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 2, 2000

OLDSMAR -- Park users in Oldsmar favor jogging trails and beaches over shuffleboard, according to a recent survey.

The Pinellas city's Parks and Recreation Department asked 4,800 residents what recreational facilities they wanted, what time was they might use the parks and other related questions. About 1,200 homes responded, said department director Lynn Rives. The surveys will help the city complete a master recreational plan this October.

Given a list of 29 outdoor facilities, residents most often chose a jogging or walking path and a beach. Lawn bowling and shuffleboard received the least votes. Indoors, a fitness facility for weights and aerobics and an indoor pool were the top vote-getters.

Rives said the department will review making some changes based on the surveys.

For example, one question asked what time would residents most often participate in recreation activities. Because more than half the votes were for after 6 p.m., Rives said, he'll look into providing more services after business hours. "We need to look at that and create some things," he said.

The surveys illustrate that residents are more interested in passive recreation facilities instead of ones for league sports. When asked to rate which outdoor recreation facilities they would like developed, few residents voted for baseball diamonds and soccer or football fields.

For years, the lion's share of the city's attention and resources have been spent on league sports and Canal Park, the city's organized sports complex.

"I'm not saying we should stop doing those programs," Rives said. "But we have to do something for the other residents."

Oldsmar resident Grace Robinson said she agreed that the city needs to provide more activities and facilities for residents who are not in organized sports.

She said she'd be happy with more picnic tables under large covered pavilions so groups can picnic together for special events like birthday parties and church gatherings.

"I'm very gung-ho on parks," said Robinson, 67, who has lived in Oldsmar for 29 years. R.E. Olds Park, she said, "is the biggest asset that Oldsmar has."

- Ed Quioco can be reached at (727) 445-4183 or at quioco@sptimes.com.

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