INFORMATION #1 06-30-1997DECISION RESOURCES, LTD.
3128 Dean Court
Minneapolis, Minnesota
55414
ELK RIVER CITY SURVEY
Parks and Recreation/
City Issues 1997 Study
FINAL VERSION
Hello, I'm of Decision Resources, Ltd., a nationwide
polling firm located in Minneapolis. We've been retained by the
City of Elk River to speak with a random sample of residents
about issues facing the city. The survey is being taken because
the City is interested in your opinions and suggestions. I want
to assure you that all individual responses will be held strictly
confidential; only summaries of the entire sample will be report-
ed. (DO NOT PAUSE)
Approximately how many years have
you lived in Elk River?
LESS THAN TWO YEARS...10%
TWO TO FIVE YEARS ..... 24%
SIX TO TEN YEARS ...... 23%
11 20 YEARS ......... 17%
21 - 30 YEARS ......... 11%
OVER THIRTY YEARS ..... 14%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 0%
o
How would you rate the quality of
life in Elk River -- excellent,
good, only fair, or poor?
EXCELLENT ............. 32%
GOOD .................. 57%
ONLY FAIR ............. 10%
POOR ...................
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 0%
3. What do you like most about living in Elk River?
DON'T KNOW, 6%; LOCATION, 28%;
SMALL TOWN, 28%; PEOPLE, 12%;
5%; SCATTERED, 2%.
RURAL, 12%; SCHOOLS, 2%;
QUIET, 7%; NEIGHBORHOOD,
4. What do you like least about it?
DON'T KNOW, 8%; NOTHING, 13%; GROWTH, 31%; SCHOOLS, 6%;
LACK OF SHOPPING, 7%; TAXES, 8%; LOCATION, 5%; CITY
SERVICES, 7%; LACK OF RESTAURANTS, 3%; TRAFFIC, 7%;
CRIME, 2%; NOTHING TO DO, 4%; SCATTERED, 2%.
o
Overall, would you rate the park
and recreational facilities in
Elk River as excellent, good,
fair, or poor?
EXCELLENT ............. 10%
GOOD .................. 46%
ONLY FAIR ............. 29%
POOR ................... 9%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 7%
I would like to read to you a short list of the parks located in
Elk river. For each one, please tell me if you or members of
this household have visited that park during the past year.
YES NO D.K.
6. Orono Park 76% 23% 2%
YES NO D.K.
o
8.
9.
10.
11.
Lions Park
Woodland Trails Park
Handke Outdoor Ice Rink
Outdoor facilities located at
the schools, such as football,
baseball, soccer fields, and
tennis courts
Oak Knoll Park?
63% 36% 1%
22% 75% 3%
36% 62% 2%
54% 44% 2%
17% 81% 3%
IF THE RESPONDENT REPORTS VISITING AT LEAST ONE PARK, ASK:
12.
How would you rate the upkeep EXCELLENT ............. 15%
and maintenance of the park GOOD .................. 66%
facilities in Elk River -- ONLY FAIR ............. 16%
excellent, good, only fair, POOR ................... 2%
or poor? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 1%
13.
Are there any facilities not currently in Elk River parks
that you or members of your family would use, if they were
there? (IF "YES," ASK:) What are they?
DON'T KNOW, 65%; COMMUNITY CENTER, 6%; BIKE PATHS, 12%;
POOL, 9%; PLAYGROUND, 4%; TENNIS COURTS, 2%; SCATTERED,
2%.
14.
Would you favor or oppose a trail
system linking neighborhoods
throughout the city? (IF
"FAVOR" ASK:) Would you still
favor the trail system if a trail
ran adjacent to your property?
FAVOR/STILL FAVOR ..... 53%
FAVOR/OPPOSE ........... 9%
FAVOR/DON'T KNOW ....... 8%
OPPOSE ................ 21%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED .... 10%
Park systems usually contain four major components: smaller
neighborhood parks, larger areawide parks, larger community
playfields, and trails.
15.
Which of these four components
do you feel should be the top
priority for development in Elk
River during the next few years
-- smaller neighborhood parks,
larger areawide parks, larger
community playfields, and trails?
SMALLER NEIGH PARKS...33%
LARGER AREA PARKS ..... 20%
LARGER COMM PLAYFIEL..14%
TRAILS ................ 18%
OTHER (VOL) ............ 1%
ALL EQUALLY (VOL) ...... 3%
NONE OF THE ABOVE ...... 4%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 8%
16.
Have any members of this house-
hold participated in any youth
recreational programs during the
past year? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE)
And, have any members of this
household participated in any
adult recreation programs during
the past year?
YES/YES ............... 14%
YES/NO ................ 26%
NO/YES ................. 8%
NO/NO ................. 50%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 3%
The City may ask residents to vote on a bond referendum to devel-
op and expand Park System facilities. I would like to read you a
list of components which could be included in the proposal. For
each one, please tell me if you would strongly support a property
tax increase for it, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or
strongly oppose a property tax increase for it. If you have no
opinion, just say so .... (ROTATE LIST)
STS SMS SMO STO DKR
17. A park for skate boarding and
in-line skating? 9% 33% 26% 23% 10%
18. An OUTDOOR swimming pool, con-
taining a gradual depth entry,
slides, and diving board? 22% 37% 18% 17% 7%
19. Outdoor ice skating and hockey
rinks? 13% 32% 26% 22% 9%
20. Swing sets, playground equipment,
and hard surfaced courts for
neighborhood parks? 21% 50% 12% 12% 6%
21. Paving of neighborhood trail links
across the community? 17% 37% 22% 15% 10%
22. Lighting, dug outs, concession
stand, and parking lot for the
city's Youth Athletic Complexes? 11% 40% 20% 16% 15%
23. A mountain bike trail system for
Hillside Park? 12% 33% 26% 17% 13%
24. Permanent restrooms and shelters
at the larger community parks? 26% 49% 12% 8% 5%
25. An Interpretive Center at Wood-
land Trails Park? 8% 28% 26% 15% 24%
26. Rehabilitation of the area at
Handke School commonly known as
"Handke Pit?" 15% 34% 17% 13% 22%
27. Development of Riverwalk Trail in
the Downtown Area? 24% 35% 17% 15% 10%
28. Purchase of additional land for
parks and trails? 15% 40% 19% 14% 12%
Funding for the bond referendum components we have just discussed
would require a property tax increase.
29.
Which of these three statements
best describes your feelings?
A. I would vote AGAINST almost
any tax increase for park and
recreational facilities develop-
ment.
B. I would vote FOR a tax in-
crease under some conditions, but
AGAINST it under other conditions.
C. I would vote FOR almost any
tax increase for park and recrea-
tional facilities development.
STATEMENT A ........... 18%
STATEMENT B ........... 63%
STATEMENT C ........... 11%
NONE OF ABOVE (VOL) .... 2%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 6%
IF "B" IS CHOSEN, ASK:
30.
Under what conditions would you vote for a tax increase
for park and recreational facilities development?
DON'T KNOW, 23%; JUSTIFIED NEED, 24%; SMALL INCREASE,
14%; MORE TR3%ILS, 14%; MORE PLAYGROUNDS, 7%; MORE
PARKS, 7%; NEED MORE INFO, 10%.
Suppose the City of Elk River proposed park and recreational
facilities development which you considered to be a reasonable
approach. The proposal would be placed on a referendum ballot
for approval by the voters. In order to fund construction,
residents would be asked to approve a property tax increase for a
fifteen year period.
31.
How much would you be willing to
see your property taxes increase
to fund this construction? Let's
say, would you be willing to see
your YEARLY property taxes in-
crease by $ ? (CHOOSE RANDOM
STARTING POINT; MOVE UP OR DOWN
DEPENDING ON RESPONSE) How about
$
NOTHING ............... 20%
$10 00 ................ 13%
$20 00 ................ 18%
$30 00 ................ 19%
$40 00 ................ 10%
$50 00 .................
$60 00 ................. 4%
DON'T KNOW ............ 10%
per month? (REPEAT PROCESS) REFUSED ................ 3%
Moving on ....
32.
Do you agree or disagree with the STRONGLY AGREE ........ 19%
following statement: "A good AGREE ................. 36%
Elk River park and recreation DISAGREE .............. 23%
system will increase the value of STRONGLY DISAGREE ..... 10%
my property." (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) DON'T KNOW/REFUSED .... 13%
and do you feel strongly that way?
Changing topics ....
I would like to read you a list of a few city services. For each
one, Please tell me whether you would rate the quality of the
service as excellent, good, only fair, or poor? Please keep in
mind that the City of Elk River is not responsible for county or
state parks, highways, and other facilities.
EXCL GOOD FAIR POOR DK/R
33.
34
35
36
37
38
39
4O
Maintenance and repair of city
streets?
Snow plowing?
Street lighting?
Sewers and water?
Drainage and flood control?
Animal control?
Police services?
Fire protection?
5% 43% 36% 16% 1%
12% 52% 23% 11% 2%
5% 53% 25% 13% 5%
7% 53% 9% 2% 29%
8% 58% 14% 6% 15%
8% 59% 16% 8% 10%
19% 66% 11% 1% 3%
19% 63% 8% 1% 10%
EXCL GOOD FAIR POOR DK/R
41 Elk River City Library?
18% 54% 15% 6% 8%
Let's talk about public safety issues for a moment ....
42.
Have you had direct contact with
the Elk River Police Department
during the past three years?
YES ................... 54%
NO .................... 46%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 0%
43.
Which of the following issues is
of greatest concern to you?
(READ LIST AND ROTATE) Violent
crime, such as robbery, assault,
and rape; property crime, such as
burglary, theft, and vandalism;
traffic safety, such as DWI,
speeding, bicycles, and pedes-
trians; or, juvenile issues, such
as curfew, underage drinking, and
smoking?
VIOLENT CRIME ......... 20%
PROPERTY CRIME ........ 21%
TRAFFIC SAFETY ........ 17%
JUVENILE CONCERNS ..... 35%
NONE OF ABOVE (VOL) .... 2%
SOMETHING ELSE (VOL) ...2%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 3%
44.
Do you favor or oppose the Elk FAVOR ................. 91%
River Police department continuing OPPOSE ................. 6%
to provide DARE -- Drug Abuse DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 3%
Resistance Education -- training
in local schools?
45.
Do you favor or oppose the con-
struction of a pedestrian bridge
over Highway 169 near School
Street? (IF "FAVOR," ASK:) Would
you still favor it if a tax in-
crease were required to fund con-
struction?
FAVOR/STILL FAVOR ..... 48%
FAVOR/OPPOSE ........... 7%
FAVOR/DON'T KNOW ....... 9%
OPPOSE ................ 27%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED .... 10%
As you may know, there has been some discussion about a new
Community Center.
46.
If a Community Center were constructed, what facilities do
you feel are important to include?
DON'T K_NOW, 32%; SWIMMING POOL, 27%; MEETING ROOMS, 5%;
FITNESS CENTER, 11%; TEEN CENTER, 18%; THEATER, 2%;
SENIOR CENTER, 4%; SCATTERED, 2%.
I would like to read you a list of facilities that could be
included in a community center. For each one, please tell me if
you would strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or
strongly oppose its inclusion in a community center.
5
STR SMW SMW STR D.K.
FAV FAV OPP OPP REF.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
An indoor swimming pool?
An aerobics, exercise, and
fitness room?
A gymnasium?
Large community room for
banquets, parties, meetings,
and other rental purposes?
Group meeting rooms?
A teen center?
A senior citizens center?
A community theater?
An arts and crafts room for
instructional programs and
classes?
36% 33% 15% 12% 6%
26% 47% 12% 8% 7%
35% 42% 11% 7% 5%
30% 43% 14% 8% 6%
20% 44% 22% 9% 5%
42% 39% 8% 5% 6%
26% 43% 15% 9% 7%
18% 32% 28% 13% 9%
15% 48% 19% 11% 8%
56.
Would you favor or oppose the
construction of a Community
Center in Elk River? (WAIT
FOR RESPONSE) And do you feel
strongly that way?
STRONGLY FAVOR ........ 38%
FAVOR ................. 43%
OPPOSE ................. 9%
STRONGLY OPPOSE ........ 4%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 7%
A bond referendum would be required to pay for its construction
and partial operating costs, User fees would also underwrite the
operation of the community center to some extent.
57.
How much would you be willing to
pay in additional property taxes
to support the construction and
partial operation of an Elk River
Community Center? (START WITH A
RANDOMLY SELECTED CHOICE FROM #1
TO #8) Let's say, would you be
willing to pay $ per year?
(MOVE TO NEXT CHOICE UP OR DOWN
DEPENDING ON ANSWER.) How about
$__ per month?
NOTHING ............... 18%
$10 00 ................ 21%
$20 00 ................ 15%
$30 oo ................ 18%
$40 oo .................
$5o oo ................. 5%
$6o oo .................
DON'T KNOW ............ 12%
REFUSED ................ 1%
58.
Which do you feel should be a EXPANSION OF PARK/REC.22%
higher priority -- (ROTATE) -- CONSTRUCT COMM CENTER.58%
expansion of park and recreational BOTH EQUALLY (VOL) .... 11%
facilities OR construction of a NEITHER (VOL) .......... 7%
Community Center? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 3%
Now, let's talk about retail shopping in Elk River ....
59.
Excluding groceries, what do you consider to be your princi-
pal retail shopping location?
DON'T KNOW, 4%; TARGET, 54%; NORTHTOWN, 8%; ELK RIVER
CENTER, 28%; RIDGEDALE, 3%; MENARD'S, 2%; SCATTERED, 3%.
60.
What types of retail businesses or services, not currently
in Elk River, would you like to see attracted to the commun-
ity?
61.
DON'T KNOW, 26%; WAL-MART, 17%; RESTAURANTS, 27%;
ING GOODS, 4%; CLOTHING STORES, 11%; BEST BUY, 5%;
PARTMENT STORES, m
8°; MENARD'S, 2%; SCATTERED, 2%.
SPORT-
DE-
What retail sales promotions, if any, would influence you to
shop more often in Elk River?
62.
DON'T KNOW, 73%; LOWER PRICES, 4%; LARGER SELECTION, 6%;
MORE SALES, 3%; BETTER ADVERTISEMENTS AND COUPONS, 12%;
DEPARTMENT STORE, 3%; SCATTERED, 1%.
How often do you shop in Downtown WEEKLY/MORE OFTEN ..... 33%
Elk River -- weekly or more often, TWICE/MONTHLY ......... 15%
twice per month, monthly, about MONTHLY ............... 17%
quarterly, infrequently, or never? ABOUT QUARTERLY ........ 5%
INFREQUENTLY .......... 17%
NEVER ................. 14%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 1%
IF RESPONDENT SHOPS IN DOWNTOWN, ASK:
63. What types of goods or services tend to be the reason
for your shopping in Downtown Elk River?
DON'T KNOW, 4%; BAKERY, 14%; HARDWARE STORES, 12%;
DRUG STORE, 30%; BANKING, 10%; GROCERIES, 16%; AUTO
STORE, 5%; SPORTING GOODS, 4%; RESTAURANTS, 3o,
SCATTERED, 3%.
64.
Are there any additions or changes which could be made in
Downtown Elk River to induce you to shop there more often?
(IF "YES," ASK:) What would they be?
DON'T KNOW, 52%; CLOTHING STORE, 5%; MORE RESTAURANTS, 9%;
MORE RETAIL VARIETY, 23%; BETTER ACCESS, 4%; RIVERWALKS,
3%; DEPARTMENT STORE, m
2°; SCATTERED, 3%.
As you may know, there has been some discussion about merging the
Cities of Elk River and Otsego.
65.
Prior to this survey, were you
aware of the proposal to merge
the two cities?
AWARE ................. 61%
UNAWARE ............... 37%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 2%
66.
From what you have heard or seen, STRONGLY FAVOR ........ 11%
do you favor or oppose the merging FAVOR ................. 24%
of Elk River and Otsego? (WAIT OPPOSE ................ 17%
FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly STRONGLY OPPOSE ........ 7%
that way? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED .... 42%
7
Now, just a few more questions for demographic purposes ....
Could you tell me how many people in each of the following age
groups live in your household. Let's start oldest to
youngest ....
67.
Seniors over 65?
NONE .................. 85%
ONE .................... 7%
TWO .................... 8%
68.
Adults between 18 and 64
years old?
NONE .................. 12%
ONE ................... 12%
TWO ................... 63%
THREE OR MORE ......... 14%
69.
School aged children?
NONE .................. 54%
ONE ................... 17%
TWO ................... 21%
THREE OR MORE .......... 8%
70.
Pre-schoolers?
NONE .................. 81%
ONE ................... 15%
TWO OR MORE ............ 5%
71.
Do you own or rent your present
residence?
OWN ................... 75°
RENT .................. 25%
REFUSED ................ 0%
IF "OWN," ASK:
72.
Which of the following cate- UNDER $75,000 .......... 6%
gories would contain the $75,000-$150,000 ...... 70%
approximate value of your OVER $150,000 ......... 21%
residential property -- under DON'T KNOW ............. 1%
$75,000, $75,000-$150,000, or REFUSED ................ 2%
over $150,0007
73.
What is your occupation and, if applicable, the occupation
of your spouse or partner?
PROFESSIONAL-TECHNICAL, 18%;
SALES, 11%; BLUE COLLAR, 37%;
5%.
OWNER-MANAGER, 18%; CLERICAL-
RETIREES, 13%; SCATTERED,
74. What is your age, please?
18 - 24 ................ 5%
25 - 34 .............. 22%
35 - 44 .............. 34%
45 - 54 .............. 19%
55 - 64 ............... 8%
65 AND OVER .......... 13%
REFUSED ............... 1%
8
75.
What is the last grade of formal
education you completed?
76. Gender of respondent.
77. Ward.
LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL..6%
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE..27%
VO-TEC~/TECH COLL .... 17%
SOME COLLEGE .......... 18%
COLLEGE GRADUATE ...... 27%
POST-GRADUATE .......... 5%
REFUSED
................ 0%
MALE
.................. 48%
FEMALE ................ 52 %
ONE
................... 25%
TWO
................... 29%
THREE
................. 23%
FOUR
.................. 24%