High School Junior ROTC Cadets Make City’s 2010 Park & Recreation Survey Happen!

From left to right: Katarina Richards, Ryan Taylor, Kyle Kontney, Crystal Lakvold, Nick Heikkila, and Tina Kontney.

IRONWOOD, MI - Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - Next week, the City of Ironwood is conducting a Survey of City Residents to improve the city’s understanding of residents’ opinions and ideas about Park and Recreation resources in the community.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Committee is conducting this survey as part of a Five-Year Update to the Ironwood’s Parks & Recreation Plan.

“We update our plan every five years to make sure the Michigan Department of Natural Resources knows the city’s priorities for park and recreation projects. Then we have a shot at getting funded,” said Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Sam Davey. “Survey results will be included in that plan, so we need to hear back from everyone who receives a questionnaire.”

Cadets active in Ironwood High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program will distribute the questionnaires on Tuesday, October 26 between the hours of 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM. They will collect questionnaires during the same time period on Thursday, October 28. Other volunteers may help them.

"This is a great opportunity for our students to be involved with our community and have a direct impact on the future of our city", said LTC (Ret) David Manki.

“The students are not only saving the city money on mailing costs and giving us a stronger survey response rate,” said Davey, “They’re helping with a survey that gives city leaders and the public guidance about park facilities. These young people are making a difference in their community.”

To avoid the high cost of surveying all of the households in the City of Ironwood, the city is instead using a random survey selected from all households. Survey results gathered and analyzed using scientific methods will give the city sound, reliable guidance for prioritizing and managing Park and Recreation projects.

All of the information in the questionnaires distributed by the students will be kept completely confidential. Although addresses are needed so randomly chosen residents can be reached, no records will kept of anyone’s name or address.

Volunteers will process the results and the city’s Community Development Department will analyze the data. Survey results will be shared through the local media and at informational meetings.

“We know that folks are very busy,” said Chairman Davey. “But we also know that people care deeply about Ironwood, and about this opportunity to improve its park and recreation facilities.

“If a student brings a questionnaire to your residence, please take a few minutes to fill it out and have it ready on Thursday, October 28th, 2010.” Said Manki. “Thank you!”