Parks Department Conducts Survey of Area Seniors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2006

For more information contact:
Mick Renneisen, Director, Parks and Recreation Department, City of Bloomington, 349-3711
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is conducting a city- and county-wide survey of citizens 50 years and older that will help the department take a resident-driven approach to planning and prioritizing future recreation needs of that age group.

"We want Bloomington to remain a great place for every age group to get the most out of life," said Mayor Mark Kruzan. "The Parks and Recreation Department understands that seniors must enjoy a full range of opportunities and our hope is that this survey provides further insight into senior activities so the City can sustain stronger efforts for the senior community."

The department will work with Leisure Vision/ETC Institute of Olathe, Kan., an independent consulting firm, to administer the survey. Leisure Vision will select approximately 1,000 Bloomington and Monroe County households at random to receive the six-page survey in the mail. Leisure Vision staff estimates the survey will take about 10 minutes to complete, and will collect at least 400 completed surveys through a combination of return mail and telephone follow-ups.

Survey questions were developed with input from the public, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation staff and from groups including the City of Bloomington Adult Community Center Advisory Council. Topics range from outdoor and indoor recreational activities and needs to frequency of participation.

"The results of this survey will help us develop plans and strategically allocate resources for City Parks and Recreation facilities, programs and services for citizens 50 years and older within the community," said Mick Renneisen, Director of the City's Parks and Recreation Department.

Surveys will be mailed Jan. 26 and 27 and the consultant hopes to have the completed surveys returned in the postage-paid envelopes by Feb. 10. For more information about the survey, or to request a survey to complete, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (812) 349-3700 or [parks@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:parks@bloomington.in.gov] or visit the Adult Community Center at 349 S. Walnut.

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