2017 Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Survey
The survey was conducted by CSR on behalf of the Charlottesville Division of Parks to capture and provide feedback on residents’ experience with Charlottesville’s parks, facilities, and programs and elicit feedback on future programs, parks, and athletic opportunities. The survey had a response rate of 23.4%; women, seniors, single-family homes, and white respondents were overrepresented. 35% of those surveyed rated Charlottesville parks an 8/10, and 80% of respondents found the condition of all parks, trails, and facilities to be “Excellent/Good,” with 10% responding “Fair/Poor,” and 10% responding they had not visited a park in the last year.
The five most popular parks were (in descending order): Emancipation Park, Riverview Park and Trail, Darden Towe Park, McIntire Park, and McGuffey Park. The top priorities for residents were preserving open space/the environment (78%), providing alternative recreation opportunities for those less able to participate (68%), providing facilities/programs for children and teens (67%), and providing facilities/programs for adults 50+ (63%).
70% of those surveyed expressed the need for small neighborhood parks you can walk to, 61% desired parks along streams or the Rivanna, 52% want more paved trails, and 47% want more unpaved paths. The three most-needed outdoor facilities according to respondents are water parks and spray-grounds , outdoor tennis courts , and soccer/football/lacrosse fields . For indoor facilities, the three highest priorities are exercise and fitness facilities , indoor pools , and gyms for basketball/volleyball/etc.
For the Full report, download the file below.