UCA LEAD Program to collect data for the City of Conway Parks
CONWAY, November 21, 2013—Faculty and students from the Interdisciplinary PhD in Leadership (LEAD) and the UCA Geography and Environmental Science programs in collaboration with the City of Conway staff are taking part in a research and planning project for the City of Conway parks. The project is funded in part through a Metroplan Minigrant awarded to LEAD for the development of a master plan for parks and recreation facilities in the City of Conway.
Faculty and students propose to have the project completed in early 2014.
Hang Yang is a member of the student team from UCA’s LEAD program that is conducting the study. Yang says early research findings tell an important story. “If we tell the stories of residents and give examples of how they utilize the Conway parks system currently and learn what the obstacles are that they face, then maybe we can develop better services for Conway citizens to live active, healthy lives.”
Yang says the research team needs Conway citizens in wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 to complete a short online survey found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/conwayparks. All residents who are interested in the Conway Parks system are encouraged to participate. After the data are collected and analyzed, the findings will be presented to the City of Conway.
Collection and analysis of data on the existing parks system, including amenities within the parks, park usage in differing city wards, and connectivity between the park locations began in January 2013. Preliminary findings were presented to Conway City Board and interested members of the public on September 24, 2013. The project team held a series of town meetings in each Conway ward to discuss their findings and gather additional data on park usage and the public’s input on future park development on October 17, 23, and 24. The final town hall meeting was Saturday, November 16 in the Community Room at the Conway Police Department.
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Rhonda McClellan
Director-LEAD Program
501-852-0908
phdleadership@uca.edu
