Recreation Survey Results

To help improve recreation programs in our town, a survey was shared with the community from September 16 to October 21, 2024. This survey followed up on the 2025 Budget Survey and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. In total, 230 people answered the survey. Staff also spoke with the Grade 12 Leadership class at East Elgin Secondary School to hear their ideas.

What We Learned:

Parks, trails, and playgrounds are still the most popular outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.
Many people believe recreation is important and expect a variety of good programs and services.
The top priority is programs for children and youth, but people also want programs for all ages and interests. These can include:
- Organized activities
- Drop-in programs
- Fun and educational classes
- Active sports and games
Social media is helpful for sharing information, but not everyone sees it. So, the town will keep using other ways to advertise as well.
Some things that make it harder for people to join programs include:
- Cost
- Accessibility
- Not enough programs for youth and seniors
People said they would be more likely to join programs if they were well advertised and matched what the community wants.

Other Highlights:

Even though some people marked "not applicable" on some questions, parks, trails, and playgrounds were still mentioned the most as favorite recreation options.
Many people want to register for programs online using a website or an app. But some still prefer to register in other ways, so the town will offer options for both.
Some people didn’t have strong opinions yet, but we expect more feedback in the future as the town adds more programs and updates the registration system.

What People Suggested:

Out of 167 detailed responses, these were the most common ideas:

Improve places like:
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Trails
- Disc golf courses
- Bike paths
- Skatepark
- Parks
- The East Elgin Community Complex (EECC)
- Indoor swimming pool

Key Themes:

Involve older adults as volunteers
Create more social programs for youth
Make programs more accessible for everyone
Advertise activities in many ways so more people hear about them
Offer free or low-cost programs
Build a seniors centre or offer more programs for seniors
Help people get to programs with better transportation options
Offer a mix of active and social programs for all ages

This feedback helps us plan better recreation programs that match what the community wants. Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas!