An ongoing survey asking residents to give their thoughts about the Greenbelt has seen more than 700 respondents so far, giving members of the Greenbelt Task Force a valuable insight into what their next priorities should be.
Brad Raney, director of parks and recreation for the city, said the group is seeing trends in the responses received. The data has shown the Greenbelt being used year-round, even during the winter months and 96% of respondents so far want additional development on the Greenbelt. Raney said a large majority said they enjoy walking the Greenbelt, while others have stated they enjoy the natural scenery, walk their pets or use it as a bike path.
Raney also said the responses have shown what some of the top concerns are as well, which include lighting and erosion control. He said the lowest priorities listed so far are adding outdoor recreation equipment and installing a disc golf course along the path. Additionally, he said nearly 80% of respondents support using a special purpose tax to improve the Greenbelt.
“I expected that to be really low because of the word ‘tax,’” Raney said Tuesday.
The responses are encouraging news for John Freeman, the chairman of the Greenbelt Task Force.
“We’re cooking with gas as my dad would say. We’re doing really well,” he said.
Freeman hosted a meeting Tuesday evening to recruit for volunteers and discuss the Greenbelt’s master plan, which the responses will be used to update. The group continues to use the original plan, which was drafted in 1990.
Freeman admits funding always dictates what will be done first, but said the Greenbelt Task Force has historically enjoyed some of the best public-private partnerships to accomplish its goals. This includes several examples of local companies donating land, money or in-kind work to expand the Greenbelt. Both Raney and Freeman believes there are several grant opportunities available to use for the Greenbelt as well. Freeman said those opportunities are what made the Greenbelt what it is today, saying he didn’t expect the continuous path that exists today when he started work on the Greenbelt 30 years ago.
The survey will continue as the task force solicits input from younger residents through Green River High School. The task force will also have surveys and volunteer applications available at a both members will man at Expedition Island during River Festival this weekend.
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