Question 13: What would you keep and reinvest in at the Rockford Park Question 14: What changes (additions and/or eliminations) would you like to District? see at the Rockford Park District? parks, golf, ice rinks eliminate magic waters. Neighborhood parks, bike paths, open rec space Outdoor/Nature Education and Recreation (Atwood, Lockwood, Nicholas Conservatory) and open Eliminate land that is not being used, maintain and improve playgrounds and other facilities that space/trails are already here Neighborhood parks, rec paths, golf, and SECURITY on paths. Eliminate Magic Waters. Too expensive to operate and high risk of injury. It is falling apart. I would reduce the number of golf courses and increase the activities for the children in the community. We need to find ways to continue to engage the 13-18 year old teens and look for additional ways to meet their recreational needs, not just live at levings or the community centers, specific to the African American children. Riverview needs to be updated badly. Please keep TR at or above levels. A new rink. The trolley, if it wants to be self-funded, is great but I don’t think it’s needed. Are all of the golf courses used that much? Something to think about, too. The BASICS of recreation. The park district expanded itself into all leisure time activities. As hard The large-scale facilities needing tax dollars for its use by special interest groups should be paid as it is - the park district needs to return to its core mission. Parks and Recreation, not all leisure mostly by user fees from the groups. time activities. I would like to see the District continue its investment in neighborhoods, children, and families. As noted previously, I would like to see the District continue to invest in its neighborhoods, and Also, as an avid golfer, I feel fortunate to have access to such great courses and would like to hope to continue to have access to the quality courses we currently have access to. continue to see this. My family enjoys the Forest City Queen and we will certainly miss that this season. The Time to All of these large sports facilities consume a large amount of the dollars to be spent. If we are to Play Playground program is very important as is quality programming for our youth. I also think have these facilities, then they must pay for themselves. our therapeutic rec dept is of value. Anna page disc golf!, all references to golf above were for disc golf, it is cheaper and fun for all Youth disc golf programs ages and incomes neighborhood programs get rid of Elliott Golf course and sell the land Youth programs, outdoor education, golf,conservatory, open space trails, neighborhood parks Forest city queen dos not seem to be an effective use of funds. Get more sponsors for facilities and playgrounds. like Magic Waters. Already do Tough choices ahead! Pools, parks rec center ice facilities sand park pool None Magic Waters is a drain on the budget. While it is fun, I think the funds used to operate and maintain that site would be better utilized through the community. Disc golf courses. Disc golf is a growing sport and Rockford has a great disc golf park at Anna I think the main focus should be on teenagers and children to keep them away from drugs and Page, but it needs improvements. crime. Sorry, I think Magic Waters is a drain on RPD expenses. Let's let it go. I am definitely disappointed to hear that you are adding gaming machines at the golf courses and perhaps some of the other facilities. Question 13: What would you keep and reinvest in at the Rockford Park Question 14: What changes (additions and/or eliminations) would you like to District? see at the Rockford Park District? The swimming pools. A 50 meter pool Keep our parks! Also keep the conservatory and Atwood. The trolley is also a benefit. These are Magic Waters needs to go - it is tired and draining the resources from what I'm told. Golf is also good cultural things that enhance the physical sports part of life. Obviously keep the sports slowing down - it might be time to lose a course or two. Keep the funds where they are used factory center and the ISC on Riverside too, and Sportscore 1. and appreciated most. Trolley and the boat My priorities here would be to invest in: The Sounds of summer at Sinissippi and Magic Waters. Perhaps the park district is spread too thin. keep after school programs, the trolley, the queen, the neighborhood pools and parks reduce the amount of golf courses Keep golf courses, neighborhood parks, trails, ice houses, Nicholas. Reinvest in golf, isc's, parks You are obviously to big, but what to cut? How many directors do you really need? Plus you'll and free amenities have to reduce services. Why is magic Waters still open? Music in the park, swimming lessons, dog park/trails, local playground No Bruce Monroe light show, nice but expensive, no snow sculpting, put money to the riverboat instead of the trolley The trolley and Forest City Queen and all riverfront facilities and programs. I would need statistical data to determine cost/benefit of some programs. Music shell Eliminate magic waters and encourage a new resort water park Neighborhood pools, forest city boat and the tolley. The fees to Magic Waters - I believe that the day passes are too high. The season pass holders should have more benefits other than free admission to other parks - I do not like the meal plan. (One major reason why we stop getting MW passes!) Ice Facilities, Lockwood, Close Magic waters and Sapora, Dog Park, pools Sounds of Summer and Your beautiful bike, walking trails. They ate free but promote dollars You could eliminate 1 golf course. from outside Rockford. Reinvest in playground programming opportunities for children during the summer, not Realign or eliminate resources to operate facilities more efficiently (less part-time duringwinter necessarily new playground equipment. months or non peak seasons) Maintain and reinvest in all swimming pools Reinvest into Revenue Generating Programming and Facilities. Maintain and reinvest in the waterpark and golf courses Golf courses, online tee times Adult sport leagues Add more open gyms at the Sports Factory Add Fitness days where adults could come and do different types of exercises (yoga, Zumba, etc) Adult yoga in evening Question 13: What would you keep and reinvest in at the Rockford Park Question 14: What changes (additions and/or eliminations) would you like to District? see at the Rockford Park District? I love and have enjoyed many different aspects of what the park district has to offer. I have been Continuing my sentiment from question 13... I do not feel qualified to tell you what to cut, keep, very happy with all of the very diverse options we are given. I personally have a hard time change, eliminate or add. I have always been very happy with the Rockford Park District. I grew naming things to cut just because my family did not use it. Not every family is going to up using the parks and the facilities and can now continue to use them with my own family. appreciate or have a preference to use the same things. That doesn't mean that something my Thank you for all your hard work and especially for opening up to hear everyone else's two cents. family doesn't use is not beneficial to the community as a whole. I would not want to be the one faced with making such cuts. I wish you all the best! Golf, ice rinks, parks Eliminate conservatory, sports factory, magic waters, alpine hills. Need more ice, would be nice to see more at Carlson and not have to go all the way to Riverview for everything open space for kids to gather and interact, ice rinks, waterfront...downtown spaces I believe the park district needs to be competitive with industry and business. If places like sportscenters, zip-lines, and waterparks cannot sustain mostly on their own, the Park District should not support the cost when the overall benefit is higher when the funds are allocated elsewhere. Some of these activities are well underpriced in my opinion. for instance, golf is cheaper in Rockford than near anywhere else. Some user fees could be raised. Again, if the course cannot mostly self sustain, it should be closed. UW sports factory and Mercy sports complex Study how much each park/pool is used and invest in those parks and pools Our parks are the foundation of the community. Maintain beauty and history. Keep after school Does the water park provide the necessary programming for the community. Would funds be programming to provide not only a safe place but worthwhile activities for youth. better allocated elsewhere. It is a lot to maintain for 2 to 3 months. Could property be sold and The Rec path gets a great deal of use by all ages. Maintain. funds used for year round indoor pool adjacent to one of year round complexes or reinvested in Remember programming for families and children, but don’t forget about aging population. neighboorhood pools within walking distance of neighborhoods. Would neighborhoods provide additional investments in new pools. This needs to be reviewed by the board and advisory committee. Parks, Sportscores, Youth programs Neighborhood parks and playgrounds, open space-trails-rec paths, youth programs, I leave that to the Park District Board of Directors neighborhood pools and golf keep it all The upper management taka a pay cut Keep the Riverview Ice arena...it's a strong presence in the center of downtown and should Improve the Forest City Queen and Trolley experience...I do not think they get the same remain and be refurbished...especially the locker rooms...and I don't just mean another coat of emphasis as other activities...seems to me there's opportunity to draw more attention to both.