CHAPTER NINE • SPACE USE RECOMMENDATIONS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
PARK DISTRICT FACILITIES AT 95TH STREET CENTER The 95th Street Center consists of additional multi-purpose space offering predominantly youth enrichment, dance, and fitness programs. Usage data indicates an opportunity for this facility to take more of the burden off overused facilities such as Fort Hill Activity Center by taking on more fitness and wellness programming. While program participation increased by 14% in 2023 at this location, only 19% of the programs reached full enrollment. This suggests that NPD should further analyze the programs offered to ensure that they align with community priorities that have been identified as a part of the space use analysis. It should also be noted that the 95th Street Center facility has logistical challenges that need to be considered when planning use by programs. The building is predominantly used by businesses during the day on weekdays. Activities scheduled within the 95th Street Center space on weekdays must consider the noise generated by the program to avoid disruptions to other building tenants.
NEW FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS
OVERALL PROGRAMMING TRENDS & RECOMMENDATIONS A strong consideration should be given to the most important and highest unmet needs of residents, as detailed in the community needs survey, when considering the facility’s amenities. In general, the Naperville community values multi- generational and multi-use space that includes indoor aquatics with programmable water for swim lessons and aquatics exercise or therapy. In addition, the facility should focus on sports, health and wellness programming with fitness spaces, an indoor track, and multi-sport gym space. Based on the findings from current space use data, input from leadership and community stakeholders through focus groups and a statistically-valid community needs survey, NPD should be targeting the south or southwest underserved areas of Naperville for an additional indoor facility that can accommodate community needs including indoor aquatics. NPD should consider factors such as population density, connectivity routes, and travel time when choosing a future location, to ensure that underserved residents have the best possible access to indoor recreation. The future facility should be within an 8-12 minute driving radius to maximize the primary and secondary target markets in south Naperville that either live or work in the area. ɀ Ensure that a staffing plan or partnerships are established before planning additional programs. Falling short on staff will have a direct effect on program capacity and may leave some activities unsupervised or canceled altogether. ɀ Regularly assess programs offered at each facility to ensure they align with program priorities as identified with recent community engagement. ɀ As the population of Naperville continues to diversify, it is imperative that programming is adapted to meet the evolving needs and interests of all residents. The growing District population presents a unique opportunity to engage the diverse community through culturally relevant and inclusive programming and enhanced community engagement at all NPD facilities.
113
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator