A community service area (CSA) is a geographic area of the city. The primary goal of each CSA is to apply its park and recreation resources to best meet the program and service needs of the community it serves. This concept has grown out of the 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan direction to “deliver recreation that inspires personal growth, healthy lifestyles and a sense of community.” This includes the development of a new “community center service model that is relevant to community members.” While each CSA may differ from other CSAs, all will be alike in their focus on delivering high quality programs relevant to the community.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is looking for information from users and potential users of the park system that will help it tailor park and recreation programs and services to the communities it serves.
Surveys
One method for obtaining that information is through surveys. Links to surveys for all Minneapolis parks will be posted here as they are developed.
CSA Q & A
Why is the MPRB conducting this community research?
The 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan articulates values that guide the organization in the way it goes about its work. One of these values is Responsiveness and Innovation. Community research helps staff, as stated in the Comprehensive Plan, “anticipate and thoughtfully respond to the diverse needs of the city’s communities, continually seeking ways to better deliver park and recreation services.”
The goal of the research is to gain insights from current and potential park visitors, including those who may be currently underserved within a service area. Whether considering age, ethnicity, family size or recreation interests, the Comprehensive Plan recognizes that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to program and service delivery no longer meets the needs of the increasingly diverse population in Minneapolis. In keeping with this recognition, the plan calls for “dynamic parks that shape city character and meet diverse community needs.” The research will create a better understanding of what people within a community need and want in the way of recreational programming, making the MPRB better able to create and provide relevant programs and services.
What other methods will be used to collect information from communities?
One or more of the methods used to gather input from city residents for the 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan will be used. These methods include surveys and questionnaires, focus groups, town meetings, and interviews. They will be designed to gather information from those who live within a particular community—regular park visitors, as well as those who rarely or never use a park—and visitors from other geographic areas.
How will I know about opportunities to participate in the research in my community?
As surveys are developed for the various community service areas, they will be posted online at www.minneapolisparks.org and available at each park within the service area. Once dates and times for focus groups and community meetings have been determined, information about how, when, and where to participate will be available at the neighborhood recreation centers; in an online press release at minneapolisparks.org; and through community organizations and local newspapers. It should also be noted that those who include their name and contact information when they complete the survey will be individually notified of future opportunities to let their park and recreation needs be known.
How does this research differ from research done in developing the comprehensive plan?
The research conducted in 2006 and 2007 for the development of the Comprehensive Plan gave all residents, park users, and local elected officials the opportunity to share their thoughts about the park and recreation needs of the community as a whole. This lead to the direction established by the Comprehensive Plan.
Through the 2009 outreach and research the MPRB seeks to gain detailed understanding of the park and recreation needs of the communities within the city. Information gathered will guide future programs, services and facilities within each CSA.
