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This report, presents the findings of a resident recreation and parks survey conducted in February 1993 for Black Hawk, Central City, and Gilpin County, Colorado. The study was a cooperative effort between the Regional Planning Commission, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and The Aspen Institute. Key Objectives of the Survey:
- Identify current recreation activity preferences, frequency of participation, and location of participation for residents.
- Identify the most preferred recreation and park programs for both youth and adults.
- Identify preferred recreation and park facilities for future expansion and development.
- Identify the most preferred administrative structure for a formalized recreation and parks program.
- Identify preferences for indoor vs. outdoor facility development and preferred locations.
- Assess residents’ support for a more active government role in recreation and parks development.
Key Findings:
- Current Activities: Residents frequently participate in physical fitness and outdoor activities like jogging, hiking, swimming, bicycling, and exercise. Many of these activities are pursued outside the county (e.g., swimming in Idaho Springs, exercise in Denver metro area). High school youth also engage in open gymnasium play, volleyball, basketball, and weight training.
- Preferred Activities: Adults prefer swimming, exercise, outdoor activities, golf, and jogging, along with increased opportunities for adult education, special events, arts/culture, and senior activities. For youth, adults prefer swimming, baseball, ice skating, youth camps/playground activities, open gymnasium play, and bicycling. High school youth expressed interest in horses, basketball, open gymnasium play, volleyball, and swimming.
- Facility Preferences: A recreation center was the most preferred facility for future expansion, followed by an improved trail system, a senior center, a regional outdoor sports/fitness complex, and historical site preservation.
- Administrative Structure: The most preferred administrative structure was an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Black Hawk, Central City, and Gilpin County, funded through general fund allocations. A special recreation and park district with its own taxation power was the second most preferred.
- Facility Type and Location: A majority of respondents preferred both indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, and strongly preferred centrally located facilities within Gilpin County.
- Government Role: Over 55% of household respondents supported a more active role for government in recreation and park development, even if it meant residents bearing a portion of the cost.
- Quality of Life: Gilpin County residents (outside Black Hawk and Central City) generally felt safer, were more satisfied with their residence, and considered their community an ideal place to live. They were also less likely to want to move away. Black Hawk and Central City residents strongly emphasized preserving local history. A significant majority felt there was inadequate day care availability in their communities.
Recommendations:The report concludes with five general recommendations for the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Advisory Board:
- Continue to acknowledge and reflect the understanding that recreation and park services contribute to residents’ overall satisfaction with community life.
- Continue and expand intergovernmental efforts to support recreation, parks, and tourism development.
- Formally establish the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism system as a government service with a close working relationship with private and public sectors.
- Take immediate action to meet residents’ current recreation and park needs while establishing a long-range development program (e.g., hire a temporary person for a summer program, establish committees for physical facilities, sports programs, and cultural/social programs, and eventually hire a full-time director).
- Hire a knowledgeable, well-trained, and experienced person in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism to provide the necessary leadership.
