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Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment nu9us+2oo7
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Dublin Parks and
Community Services
Needs Assessment
Component Report: Key Informant Interviews
August 2007
NATIONAL
L •
RESEARCH
C E N T E RiNC.
3005 30"' Street • Boulder, Colorado 80301
t: 303-444-7863 • f: 303-444-1145 • www.n-r-c.com
ATTACHMENT 1
Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment a,u9ust2oo7
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 1
Purpose of Key Informant Interviews 1
Methodology 1
Key Findings 1
Detailed Interview Results 3
Dublin's Parks and Community Services 3
Dublin's Arts and Cultural Opportunities 6
Dublin's Services and Programs Compared to Other Providers 9
Meeting the Needs of "Hard to Reach" Populations 11
Engaging the Community in the Needs Assessment 12
Appendix A: Park and Recreation: Suggested Areas of Improvement 13
Appendix B: Suggestions for Communify Engagement in the Needs Assessment 15
Appendix C: Key Informant Methodology 16
Study Component Design 16
Data Collection 16
Interview Analysis 16
Appendix D: Key Informant Interview Script 17
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Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment nu9u5t2oo7
Executive Summary
Purpose of Key Informant Interviews
As part of the Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment, 30 in-depth
interviews were conducted with a range of community stakeholders including the Mayor, City
Council Members, youth, older adults, City of Dublin employees, Dublin employers and
citizens. The script was designed to elicit community stakeholders' perspectives on the current
and future needs of the city, as well as feedback on current programs, services and facilities
provided by the Parks and Comxnunity Services depaztrnent.
The key informant interview component of the siudy is the first of several components. The
interview findings will be used to inform two upcoming study components: focus groups and a
scientific survey of the general Dublin population. Other Needs Assessment components will
include an Online Forum and a Town Hall Meeting.
Methodology
City of Dublin Parks and Community Services staff in collaboration with National Research
Center, Inc (NRC) staff developed an interview script. The City selected potential interviewees,
all stakeholders in the community and NRC conducted telephone interviews with 30 key
informants. Stakeholders were encouraged to provide honest feedback and received assurance
that their responses would be completely confidential. Results were analyzed using quantitative
and qualitative techniques. More information about the methodology appears in Appendix C:
Key Informant Methodology.
Key Findings
¦ Dubliri s Parks and Community Services Departxnent appears to be doing well in the
eyes of community stakeholders.
¦ City of Dublin employees, local employers and residents all spoke highly of the
Departrnent, the staff, program offerings, festivals, events and facilities.
e Perceived strengths included the Arts in the Parks program, variety of programs, quality
facilities and park maintenance, excellent customer service, and responsiveness to
citizen input.
¦ Respondents were generally unfamiliar with Dublin Parks and Community Services'
efforts to reach the "harder to reach" populations, especially people that speak
languages other than English.
m Efforts to reach the harder to reach populations may become increasingly necessary as
the community becomes more diverse. ~
¦ Informing Dublin residents of the upcoming Needs Assessment activities and events
through coordinated marketing efforts may help engage the general population. ~
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About Participants
¦ On average, respondents had lived or worked in the Dublin area for 16 years.
• Respondents described having had knowledge of or experience with Dublin for as little
as one year and as many as 40 years.
• The majority of respondents were Dublin residents who had lived in Dublin an average
of 14 years.
Using the Report
Interview themes are described in the following sections. When useful, direct quotes from
interviewees are included to highlight perspectives. These quotes are indented and italicized, on
a yellow background.
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Dubiin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessmant au9u5t2oo7
Detailed Interview Results
Dublin's Parks and Community Services 3 Howwould you rate Dublin's parks ;
3 and recreation services, overall2 ;
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Key infarmants ranked Dublin's Parks and Community Services
very positively. Respondents consistently reported the parks and ' G°°d '
48
facilities were well-maintained, accessible and clean. ' `
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Fair ~
Care is shown in the design, maintenance and upkeep of the ' EXcelle„r 3% ;
parks. ; 48%
j Poor
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The parks in Dublin are fabulous. ~
Activities and events were perceived as well organized with quality instruction offered at a
reasonable cost. A breadth of programming is provided for all age groups throughout the year.
Dublin provides a broad spectrum of services for toddlers and preschool to senior
programming and everything in-beiween.
Parks and Community Services staff were described as responsive, usually responding to
questions withixi 24 hours, in a reasonable and logical fashion. The recent addition of the Dog
Park, Skate Park and Cricket Pitch were all mentioned as evidence of city responsiveness and
willingness to expand Parks and Community Services facilities based on community input.
Respondents also mentioned city-sponsored hearings on park design as another example of
Dublin's Parks and Coxnmunity Services interest in resident feedback. Staff appears to be
exfremely interested in program improvement and easy to work with. Respondents reported
programming was very "family friendly" and that all programs contributed to a"sense of
community" among residents.
[Dublin Parks and Communify Services Department] does a lot to keep the entire
family active and involved.
For the size of the department and the number of people on staff they are offering a
great array and diversify of programs. They are always willing to try new things. Last
summer they did the outdoor movie event for families and it was hugely successful.
They are always looking to engage the communify in events like that.
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Respondents were not asked about specific parks, events ar ' Specific events, parks and facilities
i menfioned by key informants:
facilities, however, many parks, events, facilities and activities !
were commented on during the course of the interview. ! Events
Sometimes respondents merely mentioned the facility or Art in the Parks
program name as an illustration, while other times, respondents ' Art or, disPlay at Ciry Hall, Senior Center
i and the Library
elaborated on the strengths and or needs of a facility, event or ; Breakfast wah Sar,fa
program. Please see text box at right for the names of specific ! City Cour,cii Meetings '
parks, events and activities mentioned by respondents during i Day on rhe Glen FeStival '
the interviews. Dublin parade
i Easier Egg Hunt
;
Family Camp Out '
The areas for improvement in Parks and Community Services Family Father's Doy Picnic
most often mentioned included the addition of facilities and ' Fomily FeSt Day •
meeting space, and the expansion of teen prograxruning. Many ~ Fridoy night dance for teens '
~ Fun in the Sun programs
respondents reported that Dublin was doing an exceptional job ; Hociendo Crossing Arf Show
based on the resources available and the rapid growth rate. 1 Movies in the Park
However, additional gym facilities and a new sports park (not t Shamrock days
next to the freeway) were desired. Some respondents felt Dublin ~ St. Patrick's Day Festivol
! Summer Concert $eries
needed to provide more teen programming and less ~ Winter Concert $eries at Old St. Raymond's 'i
programming for senior citizens. ! Church
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Dublin spends a lot of money and effort on seniors which is , POrks and Facilifies Bike OK, it just needs to be balanced with children's needs. ; Bo cer Basll `
i Bray Commons 1
What do we have for teenagers? Dublin doesn't have a teen ; Gry Hall
center or facilify...without programs for teens, the crime rate ; Cricket Pitch ~
Dougherty Hills Dog Park i
will go up. i Dubiin Senior Center i
; Emerald Glen Park
Dublin is lacking a teen center, a safe place for teens to go ~ Emerald Glen Park-Meditation Park
and hang out and have structured activities. There are things i Fallon Sports Park (planned)
aher school at the middle school but not a lot of places for ~ Heritaqe Center
teens to go that are safe. ~ Historic Cemetery
i Iron Horse Trail
Kolb Park '
Dublin offers things for teens but [Dublin needs] to expand or i L;brary
;
come up with something brilliant and the teens would say, ; Play strudure for children with disabilities ;
'hey, I would go to that.' $hannon Park
1 Skate Park ~
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i Sports Park
Stagecoach Park i
Swim Center
! Ted Fairfield Park
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Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment August2007
The Dublin Swim Center was deemed insufficient since the facility was outdated and too small
to hold swim meets. A further frustration mentioned by most respondents was the closing of
the Shannon Community Center during the re-building process. This loss affected
programming and available space. Local sport leagues were seen as having difficulty getting
practice time due to a lack of facility space. See Appendix A for a complete listing of reported
Parks and Community Services suggested needs.
Dubiin needs more sports facilities. I know people who play basketball and volleyball
in the area and they don't seem to have a good place to play. They go to elementary
schools on the weekends but the basketball hoops are too short. People who play
tennis have to have club memberships.
[Dublin has] a facilities crunch, meeting space, banquet space, when the Shannon
Center comes online it will help, but, [Dublin] still needs more space.
[Dublin needs] to get another sports park built. The sports park is neut to the
freeway...it is really noisy, kids can't hear coaches.
It is good to know the Fallon Park is coming, we're running out of space... if Fallon
Park is completed before 2010 it will meet everyone's needs.
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Dublin's Arts and Cultural Opportunities
Compared to comments on parks and recreation, respondents had less to say and seemed to
know less about the arts and culiural opportunities in Dublin. The majority (70%) of
respondents rated the arts and cultural opporiunities provide by Dublin as "good: "
The year is packed. If I think about the cycle of the year and the kinds of things going
on, fwo signature events, one in the fall, one in the spring, winter and summer
concert series, movies in the parks, all the recreation classes. It would be hard to find
a month where they wouldn't be competing against themselves.
Many respondents commented on Dublin's Public Arts programs, especially the Art in the
Parks program. Art displayed at the Civic Center (sometimes confused with City Hall), the
library, Hacienda Crossing and the Senior Center were also mentioned.
Having art work on display at City Hall [sic], the Library, art in the park, it is nice to
see they have embraced art in the city and that the city has some culture.
[Dublin has] lots of art in the ciiy, [Dublin has] city ordinances that specify public art,
the city is geiting pretfy because of the ordinance.
The public art program is excellent, one of the better ones in Northern California.
Dublin has made a great efFort to put art in public places. Every park has a piece of
art.
The summer and winter concert series were also described as positive arts and cultural
opportunities for residents.
The [summer] concert series gets the public out... bring your kids, dance and it is free.
Every week is a different genre and the communiiy is out and they are enjoying it.
For a few respondents, the location for the summer concert series, (near the freeway), was less
than desirable due to traffic noise and windy conditions. The only potential negative item
mentioned on the winter concert series was the fee.
Programs at the Heritage Center were evaluated positively, but, not always well publicized or
attended. The St. Patrick's Day Festival was mentioned by many respondents to be an example
of a well publicized, organized and fun event.
Some respondents were not aware of the arts and culiural opporhxnities available in Dublin,
and in fact, one respondent asked, "What would be cultural opportunities in Dublin?" ~
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Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment Au9u5r2oo7
When asked, "What additional arts
and culiural opporhulities, if any ; How would you rate the arts and cultural
do you think the City should be ~ opportunities provided by the City?
providing, three themes emerged.
First, respondents reported that ~ Excellent ~
Dublin could do a better job at i 19% t
reaching out to new residents with
Asian and Indian backgrounds. It i Poor Good j
was suggested that Dublin ~ 70%
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collaborate with the new residents ~
and incorporate and celebrate their Fair
cultural backgrounds at Dublin ~ 11%
events and festivals.
[The] ciiy has such a huge influx of Asian and Indian culture, [Dublin has not]
reached out to those populations to bring them in or add a multicultural component
to [Dublin's] festivals. [Dublin has not] taken advantage of the influx of cultures. I'm
just not seeing it integrated into our school or communiiy as a whole.
More diversified planning of activities especially as the city becomes more diversified.
Dublin needs to incorporate their history and culture. A lot of activities center around
Dublin, Ireland, yet we need to honor all of the cultures and make sure everyone
feels included.
More opportunities for other cultures to participate, more opporfunities to include
cultural music and dance.
The second theme involved providing a larger venue for theater and music performances.
Respondents disagreed over whether or not Dublin needed to build a large perfarming arts
center, however they did agree that a small performing arts center or amphitheater was needed.
[Dublin is] a relatively small community, [Dublin does not] need a large theater...
[Dublin] could use a facility at the high school or an amphitheater, [Dublin needs]
something a little larger. The foundation, Dublin Partners in Education, holds a
student art auction, unfortunately they can't hold it inside Dublin, we don't have a
venue that holds more than 300 people, you have to go outside of town.
Dublin needs a consistent place where we know children can perform at the end of a
class, right now we just use a classroom, we need a consistent perFormance area.
Dublin doesn't have a theater...surrounding communities do...down the road an
amphitheater would be a lot less expensive if the ciiy was thinking of doing a -
theater, better to find a store box and make a"black box" theater. I think the area is ;
saturated with theaters. u
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Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment nu9ust2oo7
Third, residents wanted to see expanded theater opportunities. Some respondents wanted to see
Childreri s theater expanded and adult community theater added to Dublin's Arts and Culiural
opportunities.
A children's theater program would be successful and you have a built in audience,
with family.
We need theafer programs for children and adults. We have a bit of a program for
children but nothing for adults.
Dublin needs to bring in theatrical events and productions that can come in over the
weekend and offer programming through the schools and the communify. Even
without a theater in town, you can bring theater to the community.
Whether commenting on the Parks and Community Services programs or the Arts and Cultural
opportunities provided by the city, many respondents felt Dublin did not do an effective job
advertising or marketing their programs. The Guide was described as user friendly, appealing
and informative. However, several people mentioned The Guide itself could not function as the
sole marketing material for Parks and Community Services programs. The City Web site and
Teen Web site were described as providing an excellent resource for information, offering
timely information and opportunities for residents to provide feedback to Parks and
Community Services staff. Attendance at events fluciuated and it was felt by many that events
with coordinated marketing efforts, like the St. Patrick's Day Festival were better attended.
Marketing of programming was perceived as haphazard and uncoordinated. This was
especially true in the area of Arts and Cultural prograinming. Each department is described as
doing their own program marketing.
Publicily could be better. They have the summer evening concert in the park, in the
winter have a great evening winter music series at the Old St. Raymond's Church,
had a couple of Irish bonds fwo years ago, i d;dn't see a lot of information on the
winter concert series last year. Dublin needs better promotion and advertising of the
arts and cultural activities. Dublin does a good job of advertising the St. Patrick's Day
parade, posters are in every store, the summer and winter concert series are hard to
find.
Although [Dublin has] a variety of programming offered to the communify,
awareness, especially of the cultural programs at the Heritage Center is limited.
Young families aren't aware of what they can do at the different facilities.
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Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment August2007
Another issue raised by many respondents was the rapid growth rate of the city, especially in
East. The city was described by one interviewee as "bursiing at the edges." Allocating open
space and continuing to plan parks in new developments were reported as high priorities. Since
the facilities on the East side are newer, attention to the West side "original Dublin" was
considered important to maintaining balanced Parks and Community Services opportunities for
all citizens.
[Dublin has] elementary schools, especially on the West side of town with huge grass
areas that are just not being used...we are missing out on developing existing school
properfy.
As much as they [the city] can, set aside land for open space so city residents don't
have to go out of the ciiy for picnics.
Many respondents commented on the difference between facilities on the East and West sides of
Dublin, remarking tliat the East side developers were able to "carve out space for parks° which
is a necessity when building high density homes without yards. Several respondents remarked,
as higher density developments increase, open space will become more critical. The Heritage
Center is on the western end of town and it was reported that arts, cultural and heritage
opportunities in the East part of town were needed as well. Overall, Dublin needs to find ways
to provide services that are geographically balanced and accessible to all residents.
Centrally locate parks and facilities
If Dublin lacks anything [Parks], it would be on the west side of town, lacking
acreage.
Dublin's Services and Programs Compared to Other Providers
Compared to the services provided by the private sector or surrounding communities, it was
generally reported that Dublui s Parks and Recreation offerings were "on par" with the private
sector and neighboring communities. In addition, respondents reported the program costs were
extremely reasonable, especially when compared to the private sector.
Dublin is comparable to other cities which is definitely a step up for Dublin.
Private businesses are much more expensive the Ci1y has done a good job of
reaching out to private entities and using their instructors. Same teacher, same quality
of program offered through the City.
The dollar value you get out of the Ciiy is far beHer than the club programs. $150 vs.
$1,500 cost. Are you getting beHer coaching in fhe private sector? You're not getting `
10 times the coaching...can't beat the City programs for the value, the City programs ~
provide opportunities for those who can't afFord club fees. u
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There was a time when they [Dublin] didn't compare very well, but with the growth of ;
East Dublin they are 'on par' with surrounding cities. The new Shannon Center will be o
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'state-of-the-art' and will pull them up a lot as well as their communiiy ofFerings. °
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It was reported by several respondents that Dublin has strong partnerships with private sports
facilitaies and insiructors. Several respondents observed that the strong partnership allows
Dublin to provide quality instruction at a much lower cost when compared to private sector
services. The one exception was the new private swixn academy in Dublin. With an indoor pool,
this facility is able to offer year-round swiinming opportunities and instruction that the Dublin
Swun Center is unable to compete with.
In the area of arts and cultural opportunities, it was reported that Dublin did not have as much
to offer as surrounding communities. The Art and Wind festival, Black History program and the
free symphony in San Ramon were all provided as examples of culiural opportunities not
matched in Dubiin. The concert in the park series in Pleasanton was perceived to be better
received and attended than Dublin's summer concert series, which may be due in part to the
location of Dublin's concert series. Opera in Livermore and Shakespeare in the Park in
Pleasanton were additional examples of arts and cultural activities not available in Dublin.
Several respondents suggested that Dublin needed to create its own niche, some kind of arts
and cultural opportunity not available in surrounding towns.
I believe [Dublin] could build a public art garden or children's museum, Dublin needs
to look and see what our neighbors don't have, maybe a discovery garden for
children. Dublin needs an enhancement to the communify that you don't find among
our neighbors.
Pleasanton may have more cultural opportunities then Dublin but that doesn't mean
they are belter. We do need more people to come to Dublin. Livermore is like a small
Napa. Dublin needs to find something, do some research, to bring more people to
town.
Dublin could have a cultural event, not to compete with surrounding communities but
to show off our uniqve culture.
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Dublin Parks and Cammunity Services Needs Assessment Augusr2oo7
Meeting the Needs of "Hard to Reach" Populations
Respondents were asked to comment on how well the Parks and Community Services
department was doing at meeting the needs of harder to reach populations including,
commuters, youth seniors, people with disabilities, residents of lower income and those who
have difficulty communicaiing in English. For many respondents this was a difficult question to
answer, with about one-third of the respondents saying that they did not know about efforts to
reach specific populations.
I'm not sure I can comment; I don't know what they do to specifically address those
people [harder to reach populations].
I haven't noticed translation for non-English speakers.
I'm not aware of a sliding scale for classes or scholarships.
I don't know if they [Dublin Parks and Communify Services] are doing anything
outside of or beyond the Activify Guide and Web site...l don't know if they [Dublin
Parks and Community Services] are doing anything 'outside of the box' to attract
these popvlations.
How is information being distributed? I have no idea what they [Dublin Parks and
Communify services] provide. I read the paper and don't see anything in the paper.
Information needs to be communicated with the citizens of Dublin.
Everything is geared towards summer youth programs and classes and not geared
towards all members of the communify.
Respondents often reported the City is responsive and listens to the residents, however, it was
noted by many individuals that the City is not heazing from everyone.
With the resources currently available, I think [Dublin does] a really good job of
meeting the needs of the communiiy that [Dublin is] already aware of and that take
part in our programs.
About one-third of all respondents noted that Dublin was providing excellent outreach and
services to older adults through the new Senior Center, including the Meals on Wheels program
and the meal site. Although the Senior Center was described as a great facility, strategically
located, with quality programm;ng, it was noted that'frail older adults' and older adults that
do not speak English were not being reached.
One issue is contacting senior caregivers that do not speak English who are here with =
( families to take care of their grandchildren. ~
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In terms of ineeting the needs of people with disabilities, respondents remarked all facilities met ~
the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act. Respondents also remarked on the high v
number of free activities available for Dublin residents. o
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Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment a,u9usr2oo7
Half of the respondents questioned whether or not marketing materials were accessible to
individuals who speak a language other than English, noting materials are translated in Spanish
only. These respondents also suggested conducting focus groups with Asian and Indian
coxnmunities to learn about their Parks and Community Services needs.
I only see materials in English and Spanish. [Dublin has] a bigger Asian population
than Spanish. Lots of people are Indian. [Dublin] could use some improvement in the
translation of materials.
One-third of respondents commented again that Dublin needed to provide more programming
for teens.
Engaging the Community in the Needs Assessment
Most respondents suggested that Dublin make connections with key community leaders in each
population of interest. Respondents suggested that Dublin collaborate with local churches,
neighborhood associations, ethnic grocery stores, clubs, employers and the schools to assist the
city in promoting and encouraging participation in the needs assessment. Again, several
respondents emphasized that participation must come from residents from both the East and
West sides of Dublin. Most respondents offered common suggestions including promoting the
needs assessment in the local media, telling citizens how the Parks and Community Services
Department is using and will use the information, providing food and incentives for focus
groups and town hall meetings. A few respondents mentioned City staff and key community
leaders should invite people to participate in the needs assessment in person.
The cify needs to put more focus on bringing the diverse group of people 'to the
table.' The City is passive, you can send ovt flyers...the Cify needs to make an active
effort to pull in individuals not heard from
One-on-one invitation. Sometime your voice is heard because of 'who you know' not
'what you know.' We need to reach out to the schools and clubs and leaders in the
minorify cultures. We must invite their participation and not wait for them to step
forward.
One thing Dublin doesn't do very well, [Dublin does not] publicize what they have
done, this is a great opportunity to say, 'we listened, this is what we heard, and this is
what we're doing.'
Please see Appendix B for a listing of suggestions on engaging community members in the
needs assessment.
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Respondents were asked, "If Dublin could only focus on one improvement or change, what `
would your recommendation be?" Many diverse suggestions were offered, but, a consensus ~
was not evident indicating a need for further research. Suggestions offered by two or more "
respondents include, enhanced teen programming, improved marketing and Parks and o
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Community Services program promotion, building a new aquatics facility, expanding the ~
Heritage Center, opening the Shannon Community Center, building facilities more quickly, o
collaborating with the School District on joint-use agreements and program provision. Z
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Appendix A: Park and Recreation:
Suggested Areas of Improvement
The following list of suggested areas of improvement were provided by the key informants and
are direct quotes.
Facilities
a Add fitness centers (weight rooms)
p Another dog park with a better design (some current obstacle course features are
dangerous, grass in the design)
• Bathroom maintenance at Dublin Sports Grounds (sinks do not work, doors do not lock,
no toilet tissue)
• Bicycling trails that cross city boundaries (Livermore and Pleasanton)
• Expand gym space for basketball and volleyball
m Expand meeting room space
d Field condition, grass length is too high and muddy areas especially at the older sports
complexes
¦ Improve score keeper huts at the sports park
¦ Merry-go-'round
¦ More parks on the west side of town
• Motocross park
¦ Night lighting on allathletic fields
¦ Night lighiing on Iron Horse bicycle trail
¦ Outdoor education kitchen
¦ Renovate bathrooms at Kolb Park
¦ Soccer fields
¦ Teen center
¦ Tennis courts
• Update aquatics center and/or build a new aquatics center on the East side
Programming
• Asian language instruction (Mandarin, Japanese)
• Beguululg computer classes
¦ Beginning golf
• Establish "industrial sport leagues" for people that work nights
tl Expand educational programming offerings, for example, real estate classes, financial
plannulg, how to be a better parent, personal growth
• Expand Senior Center services to evening hours for "working seniors°
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¦ Girl's softball
¦ Hire professionals to map out and oversee event parking ~
¦ Increase weekend programming u
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¦ Lacrosse o
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¦ Low cost progranuning for youth ~
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• Mobile recreational programs to underserved neighborhoods - bring the activities to ~
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• Monitor event parking on neighborhood streets; residents often can not park own cars
during festivals or access their own vehicles
¦ More conversational English language instruction
• More English as a second language instruclaion
• More non-competitive sports teams for youth
¦ More organized family activities (not drop-in programs)
• Organized progranuning for moms of young children, stroller exercise in the park, Mom
and Me progranuning
w Organized programs at the skate park
¦ Partner with the School District on building facilities and providing progranuning
• Police Activities League (PAL) to provide sports progranuning for youth
• Programs for non-English speaking seniors
• Sponsor a Flea Market
¦ Summer teen progranuning
¦ Teen pick-up sports (free or low cost)
¦ Walking trails for commuters to use during the lunch hour
Populations
tl Expand family programming
• Expand program offerings for adults beiween the ages of 20-30
• Expand program offerings for Asian residents
¢ Expand program offerings for low income residents
• Expand program offerings for residents with disabilities
• Expand program offerings far the frail elderly
¦ Expand progranuning for youth, especially teen programmnlg and progranuning for
youth at risk
¦ Increase youth involvement in program plarunulg and implementation, "get kids
invested"
• Provide transportation for seniors to attend progranuning
What additional arts and cultural opportunities, if any, do you think the City should be
providing?
¦ A culiural festival to "show off" our unique culture
¦ All nations festival
• Childreri s museum
¦ Classical and traditional arts
¦ Concert hall
p Create paztnerships with surrounding communities on theater opportunities
= Cultural celebrations like Cinco de Mayo or African American History month
¦ Expand pazking at facilities ~
¦ Expand restroom facilities at festivals d
¦ Greater vaziety of events, more live music or jazz festivals ~
• History museum ~
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Dublin Parks and Cammunity Services Needs Assessment August2007
Appendix B: Suggestions for Community
Engagement in the Needs Assessment
The following list of suggestions for community engagement were provided by the key
informants and are direct quotes.
¦ Advertise in the two local papers and community T'V channel
¦ Attend PTA meetings
¦ Canvass people from neighborhoods not using facilities
• Canvass people using facilities
¦ Comxnunity outreach
¦ Conduct focus groups and forums in native languages
¦ Encourage local employers to promote the needs assessment
• Mail educational materials to all households
• More town hall meetings
¦ Offer incentives (free class, $10 gift card)
¦ Personal invitation, phone call
• Promote the needs assessment in underserved communities (walk local neighborhoods,
sit in front of the grocery store, donut shop, 99 cent store, Starbucks, skate park)
¦ Provide a coniinental breakfast during Saturday morning community input sessions
(focus groups or forums)
¦ Provide child care
• Provide refreshxnents
• Provide transportalaion
¦ Send information home with children at school
• Solicit feedback at the parks, sports complexes, league sign-ups
• Target residents of neighborhoods with mulimal participation in Parks and Community
Service activities
• Use providers (Meals on Wheels, transit drivers) to bring the information to the people
¦ Use the information learned during each stage of the needs assessment "wallc the walk
and talk the talk"
• Work with local non-profit service providers who have established trust with
individuals
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Dublin Parks and Community Services Needs Assessment Augu5+2o07
Appendix C: Key Informant Methodology
Study Component Design
City of Dublin Parks and Community Services staff in collaboration with National Research
Center, Inc (NRC) staff developed an interview script. The City provided NRC with the names
and telephone numbers for over 30 community stakeholders. A letter from the Mayor, Janet
Lockhart, was sent to each community stakeholder on the list describing the study, asking for
their participation and informing them that an NRC staff inember would be contacting them to
schedule the interview.
Data Collection
From the list of key stakeholders, NRC conducted interviews with stakeholders from a variety
of perspectives. An NRC Reseazch Associate conducted the phone interviews. All interview
comments were entered into a Microsoft Access database and were digitally audio-recorded for
use in data analysis. Interviews occurred in May and June of 2007 and lasted approximately 30
minutes each. Stakeholders were encouraged to provide honest feedback and received
assurance that their responses would be completely confidential.
Interview Analysis
The interview script included both closed-ended and open-ended questions. The closed-ended
questions are reported with frequency percentages. The open-ended responses were analyzed
using a qualitative approach: first all responses were read to identify key statements; the key
statements were then clustered by theme and summarized for the report of results.
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Dublin Parks and Cammunity Services Needs Assessment Au9u5t2oo7
Appendix D: Key Informant Interview Script
Thank you for agreeing to talk with me. I anticipate that this interview will last about 30
minutes, and appreciate any information you can provide.
As you know, Dublin's Parks and Community Services Departrnent is conducting a parks and
recreation needs assessment. During our conversation today, when I talk about parks and
recreation, I mean not only the traditional aspects you usually thinlc of, but also leisure activities
such as bridge games, social and cultural activities such as festivals and art shows, and events
for special populations like older adults and youth such as Senior Health Screenings or Driver's
Education.
I want to reassure you that your answers are completely confidential and will be recorded and
reported without your name or affiliarion.
Although your responses will only be reported as part of a group, it is helpful for accuracy and
data analysis to make an audio recording your responses. Is it okay if I record this interview?
1. In general, what is your experience with parks and recreation in Dublin? What is your
knowledge or experiences with parks and recreation service provision or use in Dublin?
(Probe: personal, professional, provider)
2. How would you rate Dubliri s parks and recreation services, overall? Would you say
they are excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?
3. In what ways do you thulk the City is meeting the parks and recreation needs of the
Dublin community? Are there parks and recreation needs that the City is not meeting?
4. How would you rate the arts and culiural opportunities provided by the City? Would
you say they are excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?
5. What additional arts and cultural opportunities, if any, do you think the City should be
providing?
6. I'm going to ask you a couple of questions about the relationship between what the City
offers and what the private sector or other agencies offer.
a. Are there recreational or cultural azts programs offered by other service
providers that are perceived as a better value or having higher quality than those
offered by the City of Dublin? Tell me more about that.
' b. In what recreational and cultural arts service areas, if any, do you thinlc that
neither the City nor the private sector is meeting the community's needs?
How about pazks and facilities?
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The City of Dublin is a vibrant and diverse community. Understanding that all citizens have ~
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unique recreationai and cultural needs, the City wants to ensure the Parks and Community
Services Department is meeting the various needs of the community, including those of harder o
to reach populations such as commuters, youth, seniors, people with disabilities, residents of d
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lower income and those who have difficulty communicating in English. ~
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Dublin Parks and Cammunity Services Needs Assessment au9usr2oo7
• 7. In terms of parks and recreation services and facilities, how well do you feel the City is
doing to meet the needs of these harder to reach populations? Why?
8. Are there ways the City could better meet the needs of any particular populations?
9. As the City conducts the needs assessment, it wants to encourage the participation of all
segments of the community, particularly in the survey and focus group components.
What suggestions do you have for engaging the vazious segments of the community in
the needs assessment? What about the harder-to-reach residents we've discussed?
10. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about pazks and recreation needs in
Dublin that might be important for us to consider as part of this siudy?
Finally, I have a few demographic questions about you and your household.
11. How many years have you lived or worked in the Dublin area?
12. How many people live in your household? Ages?
13. Do you or members of your household use any of Dublin's parks, recreation or leisure
services?
14. Do you know other households that use these services?
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