About Our Project
The city of West St. Paul is predicting a sharp increase in population in its city in the next few years due to several housing developments currently being built. Due to this predicted increase, they are putting a great deal of effort into ensuring that moving forward, the City puts equity at the forefront of all future decisions and changes. University of Minnesota ESPM senior students worked with Dave Schletty, the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director, to develop several reports that will assist his department and other departments in the City with making changes to create an inclusive city. The recommendations made in this report have assessed the parks and how they are used and can be used to assist the Parks Department with future changes.
Goals and Objectives
The goal of this report is to give the city of West St. Paul a fresh new perspective on how their parks system can better service the current community and any future residents. Through this new perspective and assessment our hope is that more residents will begin to use the parks and those already utilizing them will continue to with more frequency. We will accomplish this by the following objectives:
- Analyze previously gathered information on park use and community needs.
- Compare and contrast the parks of West St. Paul to those of cities nearby to better understand what other cities are implementing in their parks.
- Create a community survey that will be used for years to come to ensure the city stays on top of the needs of their residents.
- Develop a website and report that will encapsulate all that we have learned and wish to convey to the city of West St. Paul to aid them in their changes.
Figure 1: Map of West St. Paul
Methods
To develop an accurate and current understanding of the status of West St. Paul residents and the cities parks system in order to generate accurate improvements and recommendations.
1. City comparison
2. Past and new survey's
3. Literature review
2. Past and new survey's
3. Literature review
Recommendations
Equity
1. Community Garden
Community gardens added to the park system can promote sustainable, healthy habits among residents and build connections among community members. Based on findings from city comparisons, literature reviews, and the resident survey feedback, a community garden is a development community members want to see. Giving community members more a voice in where and how the gardens are implemented will yield a more positive outcome than past attempts.
2. Sport Equipment Rentals
Providing equipment rentals is important in ensuring that all city residents have easy and equitable access to recreation in city parks. Removing barriers, such as the need to purchase expensive equipment in order to participate in recreation, can broaden the population the park system serves and help all city residents feel like they are welcomed in using the city parks.
3. Playground Infrastructure Update
Currently, all West St. Paul’s playgrounds use wood chips. While this is cost-effective for surfacing playgrounds, it is not entirely inclusive to park visitors who use wheelchairs or are not fully able-bodied. For this reason, the three most visited parks in West St. Paul could be budgeted for resurfacing the playgrounds with poured rubber. Poured rubber is a safe and sanitary playground surface and is made from natural materials. Implementing a change to poured rubber in the most used parks would limit the investment needed while benefiting the most residents.
1. Community Garden
Community gardens added to the park system can promote sustainable, healthy habits among residents and build connections among community members. Based on findings from city comparisons, literature reviews, and the resident survey feedback, a community garden is a development community members want to see. Giving community members more a voice in where and how the gardens are implemented will yield a more positive outcome than past attempts.
2. Sport Equipment Rentals
Providing equipment rentals is important in ensuring that all city residents have easy and equitable access to recreation in city parks. Removing barriers, such as the need to purchase expensive equipment in order to participate in recreation, can broaden the population the park system serves and help all city residents feel like they are welcomed in using the city parks.
3. Playground Infrastructure Update
Currently, all West St. Paul’s playgrounds use wood chips. While this is cost-effective for surfacing playgrounds, it is not entirely inclusive to park visitors who use wheelchairs or are not fully able-bodied. For this reason, the three most visited parks in West St. Paul could be budgeted for resurfacing the playgrounds with poured rubber. Poured rubber is a safe and sanitary playground surface and is made from natural materials. Implementing a change to poured rubber in the most used parks would limit the investment needed while benefiting the most residents.
Image 1 (left): St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Image 2 (center): Medium.com, Image 3 (right): Playgroundequipment.com
Recommendations (continued)
Incorporate Assessments For Future Planning
1. Survey Community Members On A Consistent Basis
Residents view the park system in high regard, and their input should be considered in management decisions. An effective way to incorporate the public in park management applications is to release a city-wide survey on a recurring basis. Sending out a survey on
a timeline that aligns with city goals would serve to inform officials and park stakeholders about the status of the park system, as well as bring forth any needs the community may have that aren't currently being addressed. This can help the officials make park decisions that serve the community in an equitable manner.
2. City Comparisons
An annual comparison of nearby community's and cities to West St. Paul can help with keeping park amenities and offerings up to date with local developments. Creating a spreadsheet or table with amenities offered will allow for easy review and planning for future park developments.
1. Survey Community Members On A Consistent Basis
Residents view the park system in high regard, and their input should be considered in management decisions. An effective way to incorporate the public in park management applications is to release a city-wide survey on a recurring basis. Sending out a survey on
a timeline that aligns with city goals would serve to inform officials and park stakeholders about the status of the park system, as well as bring forth any needs the community may have that aren't currently being addressed. This can help the officials make park decisions that serve the community in an equitable manner.
2. City Comparisons
An annual comparison of nearby community's and cities to West St. Paul can help with keeping park amenities and offerings up to date with local developments. Creating a spreadsheet or table with amenities offered will allow for easy review and planning for future park developments.