San Diego wants to know what residents want from their city\u2019s parks and recreation.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s new Community Recreation Needs Assessment, launched Wednesday, asks people to weigh in on what they would like to see in their parks and recreation opportunities, and how the city can improve its services.<\/p>\n
The programming comes as a result of a 2021 performance audit<\/a> that found the Parks and Recreation Department was likely unaware of community recreational needs and lacked a plan to provide resources more equitably.<\/p>\n Through a mix of surveys, virtual workshops and public meetings, the assessment aims to identify public needs and create a plan to address them. The city expects it to be completed by next summer.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really want to know where we\u2019re missing the mark \u2014 where we can improve the programs and services that we\u2019re offering at our local recreation centers and aquatic facilities to ensure that we\u2019re meeting those programmatic needs,\u201d said Sarah Erazo, deputy director at the city\u2019s recreation services division.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re going to vary from community to community,\u201d she added, \u201cso having that input is just the most valuable piece that we\u2019ll get out of this so that we can serve our communities better.\u201d<\/p>\n A survey<\/a> is now open to residents to share their thoughts on the department\u2019s activities and facilities. Residents have until Feb. 28 of next year to complete it.<\/p>\n The rest of the assessment will be carried out over the coming months for each city council district \u2014 prioritized based on communities of concern \u2014 with a mix of community engagement opportunities like workshops, interviews and public meetings.<\/p>\n Districts 4, 8 and 9 will be assessed in the first phase, which is expected to begin by late next month. Districts 3, 6 and 7 will be in the second phase, and districts 1, 2 and 5 will be in the third and final phase. Each phase is expected to take two to three months.<\/p>\n Once the assessment is complete, city contractor Keen Independent Research will collect and review the data and compile its findings \u2014 including effectiveness of existing programs, resident satisfaction and demographic information \u2014 in a final report that will also lay out goals to help guide improvements to address inequity.<\/p>\n Some improvements may be quicker to make, said Salome Martinez, program manager at the city\u2019s recreation services division \u2014 for instance, enhancing senior programming at a rec center.<\/p>\n For bigger, more expensive efforts, Erazo says the department would request funding from the city to support its equitable programming \u2014 as she says it has for years since the 2021 audit found deficiencies in the department\u2019s equity and access.<\/p>\n Erazo also says the department will look to philanthropy, grants and funding from the city\u2019s Opportunity Fund<\/a>, a department fund designed to support recreational development in communities of concern.<\/p>\n