Executive Summary Report
Overview of the Methodology
Leisure Vision conducted a Community Survey on behalf of the Northbrook Park District
during January and February of 2012. This survey was conducted as a follow-up to the
2009 Community Interest and Opinion survey regarding parks and recreation facilities,
programs, and services. The survey was designed to obtain statistically valid results from
households throughout the Northbrook Park District.
Leisure Vision worked extensively with Northbrook Park District officials in the
development of the survey questionnaire. This work allowed the survey to be tailored to
issues of strategic importance to effectively plan the future system.
In January, Leisure Vision mailed a five-page survey to a random sample of 3,000
households throughout the Northbrook Park District. Approximately three days after the
surveys were mailed, each household that received a survey also received an automated
voice message encouraging them to complete the survey. In addition, about two weeks
after the surveys were mailed, Leisure Vision began contacting households by phone.
Those who indicated they had not returned the survey were given the option of completing
it by phone.
The goal was to obtain a total of at least 600 completed surveys from Northbrook Park
District households. The goal was far exceeded, with a total of 678 surveys having been
completed. The level of confidence is 95% with a margin of error of +/-3.8%.
The following pages summarize major survey findings.
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Executive Summary - 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2012 Community Survey for the
Northbrook Park District
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
 Rating of Overall Condition of ALL Northbrook Park District Parks Visited.
Eighty-three percent (83%) of respondents indicated they had visited Northbrook Park
District parks during the previous 12 months. Of those, 57% percent rated the overall
condition of all parks visited as “excellent,” 41% rated them as “good,” and 2% rated
them as “fair.” No respondents indicated that the parks are in poor condition.
 Rating of Overall Quality of Northbrook Recreation Programs and Facilities.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of households indicated they participated in recreation
programs or used recreation facilities in the Northbrook Park District during the
previous 12 months. Of those, 45% rated the overall quality of the programs or
facilities as “excellent,” 50% rated them as “good,” and 4% rated them as “fair.” Only
1% of those surveyed felt the overall condition of Northbrook’s programs and
facilities was poor.
 Awareness of Northbrook Park District’s Acquisition of a 6-Acre Site West of
Techny Prairie Park and Fields. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of households indicated
they were aware that the Northbrook Park District recently acquired a 6-acre site
directly west of Techny Prairie Park and Fields, while 43% said they were not aware
of the acquisition.
 Potential Frequency of Use of Community Center Program Features. Nearly half
of all households (47%) indicated they would use at least one program feature once
per month or more. At this frequency, an elevated walking and jogging track would
get the most use (63%), with a fitness area being second (62%), and an aerobics,
fitness and dance studio the third most frequently-used feature (47%). A preschool
area at the Community Center would be used by only 6% of respondents at the rate of
once per month or more.
 FOUR Program Features Respondents Would Support the Most. Based on the
sum of their top four choices, the features most supported for development in a
Community Center are: a fitness area (62%), an elevated walking and jogging track
(59%), an aerobics, fitness and dance studio (41%), a lap pool for exercise (30%) and
a leisure pool (26%).
 Potential Frequency of Use of a Community Center if ALL Programming
Features Were Added.
Forty-three percent (43%) of households would use a
Community Center in Northbrook several times per week if it contained all the
programming features they selected. Thirteen percent (13%) indicated they would use
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Executive Summary - 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Major Survey Findings
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
 Level of Support for Developing a Community Center at the 6-Acre Site West of
Techny Prairie Park and Fields. Almost two-thirds (63%) of households indicated
they are either “very supportive” (42%) or “somewhat supportive” (21%) of
development of a Community Center at the 6-acre site directly west of Techny Prairie
Park and Fields. Twenty-three percent (23%) of respondents were not sure, and 14%
were not supportive of development at that location.
 How Operating Costs for a Community Center Should be Paid For. More than
one-fourth of households (29%) indicated that Community Center operating costs
should be paid entirely with user fees. Forty-one percent (41%) believe costs should
be covered by “mostly fees and some taxes”, while another 19% indicated “mostly
taxes and some fees.” Three percent (3%) of households felt costs should be paid for
100% with taxes, and 8% did not know.
 Northbrook Leisure Center Visited Over the Past 2 Years. Fifty percent (50%) of
households indicated they had visited the Northbrook Leisure Center on Walters
Avenue at least once in the past 2 years.
 Level of Support for Enhancing the Program Space at the Leisure Center.
Almost three-fourths (70%) of respondents were either “very supportive” (35%) or
“somewhat supportive” (35%) of developing a senior fitness/exercise area with
cardiovascular and other equipment at the Leisure Center. Sixty-four percent (64%)
were supportive of enhancing senior daily activity space, and 61% indicated support
for enhancing senior wellness space.
 FOUR Enhancements/Improvements to the Leisure Center that are Most
Important to Households. Based on the sum of their top four choices, the
enhancements and improvements that are most important to respondents are:
developing a senior fitness/exercise area (40%), enhancing senior daily activity space
(35%), enhancing senior wellness space (29%), enhancing areas for arts programs and
classes (22%), and enhancing the Northbrook Theatre (22%).
 Maximum Amount of Additional Tax Respondents Are Willing to Pay to Develop
a Community Center and Renovate the Leisure Center. Eleven percent (11%) of
respondents indicated they would be willing to pay $9 or more per month in additional
revenue to develop and operate a Community Center and renovate the existing Leisure
Center. Other amounts that households are willing to pay are: $7 to $8 per month
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Executive Summary - 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
a Community Center once per week, and another 13% would use it a few times per
month. Fifteen percent (15%) of respondents indicated they would never use a
Community Center.
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
 Willingness of Households to Approve a Referendum to Build and Operate a
Community Center and Renovate the Leisure Center. Over half (58%) of
households indicated they would “vote in favor” (36%) or “might vote in favor” (22%)
on a referendum to build and operate a Community Center and renovate the Leisure
Center.
 Major Reasons Why Respondents Are Unsure or Would Vote Against a
Referendum. Of those who answered “not sure” (21%) or “vote against” (21%),
more than one-third (35%) indicated they were unwilling to support any additional
property taxes for parks and recreation projects. Twenty-nine percent (29%) needed
more information.
 Frequency of Participation in Golf Activities at Sportman’s Country Club.
Twenty-two percent (22%) of households indicated they participate in golf activities at
Sportsman’s Country Club at least once per month. Fifty-seven percent (57%) stated
they never participate in golf activities at the club.
 Level of Support for Certain Improvements at Sportman’s Country Club.
Thirty-nine percent (39%) of households were either “very supportive” (17%) or
“somewhat supportive” (22%) of replacing the mini-golf course with a new course.
Other areas of improvement at Sportsman’s Country Club that respondents also
support include: making improvements to the practice range (34%), building
additional permanent restrooms on the golf course (32%), renovating and expanding
the clubhouse facilities (27%), and expanding and improving golf cart paths (19%).
 TWO Improvements to Sportman’s Country Club that are Most Important to
Households. Based on the sum of their top two choices, the improvements to
Sportsman’s Country Club that are most important to respondent households are:
making improvements to the practice range (23%), replacing the mini-golf course with
a new course (22%), and building additional permanent restrooms on the golf course
(12%). Fifty-seven percent (57%) indicated that no improvements were needed.
 Likelihood That Respondents Would Vote in Favor of a Referendum if Funding
for Improvements to Sportsman’s Country Club Were Included. More than onethird (39%) of households indicated they would be “as likely” (22%) or “more likely”
(17%) to vote in favor if improvements to Sportsman’s Country Club were included in
a referendum for a Community Center and renovations to the Northbrook Leisure
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Executive Summary - 4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
(12%), $5 to $6 per month (21%), and $3 to $4 per month (28%). Twenty-eight
percent (28%) of respondents indicated that no additional revenue should be paid.
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Executive Summary - 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Center. Forty-nine percent (49%) indicated they would be less likely to vote in favor
of a referendum, and 13% were not sure.
Section 2:
Charts and Graphs
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q1. Age of All Persons Living In Household
by percentage of respondents
Under age 5
3%
Ages 10-14
6%
Ages 5-9
5%
Ages 65+
18%
Ages 15-19
9%
Ages 20-24
8%
Ages 55-64
24%
Ages 25-34
4%
Ages 35-44
6%
Ages 45-54
17%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q2. Has Your Household Visited Any Northbrook Park District
Parks During the Past 12 Months?
by percentage of respondents
Yes
83%
No
17%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 1
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q2. Has Your Household Visited Any Northbrook Park District
Parks During the Past 12 Months?
by percentage of respondents
Q2a. How Would You Rate the Overall
Condition of All Northbrook Park District
Parks You Have Visited?
Excellent
57%
Yes
83%
No
17%
Fair
2%
Good
41%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q3. Has Your Household Participated in Any Recreation
Programs or Used Any Recreation Facilities Offered by
Northbrook Park District in the Past 12 Months?
by percentage of respondents
Yes
54%
No
46%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 2
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q3. Has Your Household Participated in Any Recreation
Programs or Used Any Recreation Facilities Offered by
Northbrook Park District in the Past 12 Months?
by percentage of respondents
Q3a. How Would You Rate the Overall
Quality of Those Recreation Programs
or Facilities?
Excellent
45%
No
46%
Yes
54%
Good
50%
Fair Poor
4% 1%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q4. Are You Aware that the Northbrook Park District Recently
Acquired a 6-Acre Site Directly West of Techny Prairie Park
and Fields?
by percentage of respondents
Yes
57%
No
43%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 3
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q5. How Often Households Would Use Certain
Program Features
by percentage of respondents
Elevated walking/jogging track
Aerobics, fitness and dance studio
Leisure pool
Gymnasium space
Rock climbing wall 1%5%
11%
17%
15%
21%
9%
12%
8%
10%
5%
9%
15%
12%
Classroom and meeting space 1%5%
14%
14%
8%
Lap pool for exercise
12%
18%
17%
12%
12%
22%
28%
12%
15%
24%
24%
Fitness area
18%
7%
2%4%
Space for parties and banquets 0%
24%
Indoor sports fields 4% 7%
10%
6%
Supervised childcare area 4% 3%2%3%
1%3%
Preschool area 2%3%
Other
11%
18%
0%
Several times per week
3%
20%
A few times per month
40%
At least once per month
60%
80%
Less than once per month
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q6. FOUR Features Most Supported for Development in a
Community Center for Northbrook Residents
by percentage of respondents who selected the item as one of their top four choices
62%
Fitness area
59%
Elevated walking and jogging track
41%
Aerobics, fitness and dance studio
30%
Lap pool for exercise
26%
Leisure pool
20%
Gymnasium space
13%
Indoor sports fields
Rock climbing wall
Supervised childcare area
Classroom and meeting space
Preschool area
Space for parties and banquets
Other
None
0%
Most Supported
9%
7%
6%
6%
5%
6%
18%
20%
2nd Most Supported
40%
3rd Most Supported
60%
80%
4th Most Supported
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 4
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q7. How Often Households Would Use a Community Center
in Northbrook if it Contained ALL Programming Features
by percentage of respondents
Once per week
13%
A few times a month
13%
Monthly
5%
Several times per week
43%
Less than once a month
12%
Never
15%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q8. Support for Development of a Community Center at the
6-Acre Site Directly West of Techny Prairie Park and Fields
by percentage of respondents
Very Supportive
42%
Somewhat supportive
21%
Not Supportive
14%
Not Sure
23%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 5
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q9. How to Pay for Community Center Operating Costs
by percentage of respondents
100% User Fees
29%
Mostly Fees/Some Taxes
41%
Don't Know
8%
100% Taxes
3%
Mostly Taxes/Some Fees
19%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q10. Have You Visited the Northbrook Leisure Center in the
Past 2 Years?
by percentage of respondents
No
50%
Yes
50%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 6
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q11. Level of Support for Enhancing Program Space at the
Leisure Center
by percentage of respondents
Developing a senior fitness/exercise area
35%
Enhancing senior daily activity space
35%
28%
36%
Enhancing senior wellness space
25%
36%
Enhancing areas for arts programs/classes
24%
35%
Enhancing the Northbrook Theatre
21%
Enhancing senior special event space
13%
26%
Developing addl. space for music/voice lessons
13%
26%
Enhancing the preschool area
13%
11%
Other
0%
Very Supportive
20%
36%
15%
35%
23%
38%
23%
37%
19%
25%
40%
28%
44%
24%
36%
20%
14%
31%
20%
13% 10%
12%
13%
27%
27%
Enhancing space for dance classes
Providing additional senior dance space
24%
30%
15%
12%
27%
29%
18%
Creating more space for performing arts rehearsals
19%
41%
40%
60%
Somewhat Supportive
Not Sure
80%
100%
Not Supportive
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q12. FOUR Enhancements and Improvements That Are Most
Important to Respondent Households
by percentage of respondents who selected the item as one of their top four choices
Developing a senior fitness/exercise area
40%
Enhancing senior daily activity space
35%
Enhancing senior wellness space
29%
Enhancing areas for arts programs/classes
22%
Enhancing the Northbrook Theatre
22%
Enhancing senior special event space
12%
Developing addl. space for music/voice lessons
9%
Creating more space for performing arts rehearsals
9%
Enhancing space for dance classes
9%
Enhancing the preschool area
8%
Providing additional senior dance space
Other
7%
2%
41%
None
0%
Most Supported
10%
2nd Most Supported
20%
30%
3rd Most Supported
40%
50%
4th Most Supported
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 7
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q13. Maximum Additional Revenue Respondents are Willing
to Pay to Develop and Operate a Community Center and
Renovate the Existing Leisure Center
by percentage of respondents
$5 to $6 per month
21%
$7 to $8 per month
12%
$9 or more per month
11%
$3 to $4 per month
28%
Nothing
28%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q14. How Respondents Would Vote on a Referendum to Build
and Operate a Community Center and Renovate the Leisure
Center
by percentage of respondents
Vote against
21%
Vote in favor
36%
Not sure
21%
Might vote in favor
22%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 8
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q14. How Respondents Would Vote on a Referendum to
Build and Operate a Community Center and Renovate
the Leisure Center
by percentage of respondents
Q14a. What is the major reason you are not
sure or would vote against?
Vote in favor
36%
Against community ctr.
10%
Against renovating
8%
Vote against
21%
Need more information
29%
Against addl. tax
35%
Might vote in favor
22%
Not sure
21%
Other improvements
4%
Other
13%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q15. How Often Does Your Household Participate in Golf
Activities at Sportsman’s Country Club?
by percentage of respondents
Less than once a month
22%
Never
57%
Monthly
4%
A few times a month
8%
Once per week
5%
Several times per week
5%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 9
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q16. Level of Support for Certain Improvements at
Sportsman’s Country Club
by percentage of respondents
Replace the mini-golf course with a new course
17%
Make improvements to the Practice Range
14%
Build addl. permanent restrooms on the golf course
13%
Renovate and expand the clubhouse facilities 8%
35%
33%
19%
38%
35%
19%
42%
39%
50%
31%
17% 3%
0%
Very Supportive
34%
32%
20%
Expand and improve golf cart paths 7% 12%
Other
35%
26%
22%
40%
60%
Somewhat Supportive
20%
Not Sure
80%
100%
Not Supportive
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q17. TWO Improvements to Sportman’s Country Club That
Are Most Important to Respondent Households
by percentage of respondents who selected the item as one of their top two choices
Make improvements to the Practice Range
23%
Replace the mini-golf course with a new course
22%
Build addl. permanent restrooms on the golf course
12%
Renovate and expand the clubhouse facilities
12%
Expand and improve golf cart paths
4%
Other
5%
57%
None
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Most Supported
50%
60%
70%
2nd Most Supported
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 10
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q18. Likelihood of Respondents Voting in Favor if
Sportsman’s Country Club Were Included in a Referendum
for a Community Center & Renovations to
Northbrook Leisure Center
by percentage of respondents
As likely
22%
Less likely
49%
More likely
17%
Not sure
13%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q19. Demographics: Age of Respondents
by percentage of respondents
35 to 44
9%
Under 35
3%
65+
27%
45 to 54
26%
55 to 64
36%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 11
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q20. Demographics: Gender
by percentage of respondents
Male
46%
Female
54%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Q22. Demographics: Number of Years Lived
in the Northbrook Park District
by percentage of respondents
6 to 10 years
10%
5 years or less
6%
31+ years
27%
11 to 15 years
16%
16 to 20 years
14%
21 to 30 years
26%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 12
2012 Community Survey for the Northbrook Park District
Q23. Demographics: Number of Registered Voters
in the Household
by percentage of respondents
Two
62%
Three
16%
Four+
9%
Zero
1%
One
13%
Source: Leisure Vision/ETC Institute (2012)
Leisure Vision/ETC Institute
Charts and Graphs - 13