2023 Survey Results!

This survey was stapled to the inside of the August newsletter.  We received 24 surveys.  There were some really great comments and suggestions. Below is a summary of the results.

Amenities and Activities

The percentage of respondents who said they use an amenity or attend an event “Occasionally” or “Frequently” is shown in the table.  The shuffle boards and tennis courts were the least used amenities with 63.6% and 68.4% of respondents saying they have NEVER used them, respectively.  The swimming pool, library, and Vista View park are the most used amenities.  We were really pleased to see that 100% of you read the newsletter, and 72.7% and 81.8% enjoy birthday breakfast and holiday celebrations.

Amenities	Occasional or Frequent Use	Notes – Suggested Changes
Swimming Pool	83.3%
Tennis/Pickle Ball Court	31.6%	Would increase to 52.6% with addition of a basketball hoop
Game Room	47.8%
Pool Tables	47.6%
Library	79.2%
Exercise Equipment	50%	Would increase to 72.8% with upgraded and safe equipment
Shuffle Board	36.4%
Vista View Park	79.2%
Activities	Occasional or Frequent Attendance
Birthday Breakfast	72.7%
Holiday Celebrations	81.8%
Read the Newsletter	100%	This is amazing!
Board Meetings	72.7%
Annual Member Meeting	68.2%
Other Functions	87.5%	Such as potlucks, ice cream socials, craft night, special dinners

Priorities for updates

Residents were asked to score these updates on a scale of 1-5.  Those who answered 3, 4 or 5 is shown in the table.  As many of you have noticed, the front entrance work has begun.  It was discovered that the juniper bushes had ruined some of the stucco covering the walls.  In order for this to be fixed, all of them had to be removed.  The board voted to replant with water-wise plants, and to install light fixtures that match those installed on the front of the clubhouse.  It is clear that many of you are in favor of updating the clubhouse.  This will require some planning and will include a design committee of residents.  The least favorable project was fencing in a dog park, with several commenting that the park was fine and that there should be no need to spend the money as long as the dogs that use the park and friendly and under control.

Update clubhouse including paint, carpet, and light fixtures	71.4%
Update the entrance with paint and light fixtures	65%
Replant the front entrance	35%
Replace and update exercise equipment	38.6%
Create a dedicated dog park with fencing	21.1%

Many of you shared comments and suggestions.  Although there were some comments that weren’t so good, most of them were supportive, creative, and positive.  What was really telling of how wonderful our community is are the comments left for “What do you like most about living in foothills?”.  Over 75% of the people who filled in the survey provided answers and all of them were highlighting the quiet and friendly neighbors, the sense of community, how pretty our park and all the yards are, and the low cost for fees and utilities.  Comments shared for “What prevents you from attending events?” included travel and calendar conflicts, and cliques/bullies. 

There were some really great ideas for activities and events to add.  Events such as progressive dinners, bingo, book club, activities outside of the park/field trips, bible study, beauty shop, yard sales, and music events were suggested.  One suggested that we do karaoke a couple of more times before giving up.  With so many nurses currently living in the park, we were not surprised to see several suggesting to have health fairs, blood pressure checks, blood drives, or safety outreaches. 

Many of the positive comments about capital improvements and other changes had the same theme.  For Vista View park, it was suggested to plant more trees and add additional seating for more than 2 people.  It was not a surprise that landscaping, weed control, gophers, and street conditions were mentioned multiple times.  Other suggestions for improvements to common areas included repainting house number on the curbs, repairing the perimeter and garden walls, update street lights, install brighter lights on the stairs around the clubhouse, update the kitchen appliances, change tennis courts into a community garden, update the little park at the top of Long Way, install a security gate in front, install a sturdier back gate, purchase a back-up transformer, and invest in more lighting and security in the RV lot.  And, as already mentioned, adding a basketball hoop to the tennis court, and purchase newer and safer exercise equipment were favored suggestions.  There was also a suggestion to establish online communications, and maybe even tech classes.

A good survey also includes evaluating the negative comments.  Although there were only a few, they were all very similar.  Regarding spending: improvements should be delayed until spending and the budget are under control, no increase in fees, don’t hire additional help to do the work around the park when as already pay someone. Regarding management and finances: hire a secured trustee to manage funds because the board members shouldn’t have access, provide increased transparency and all who have access to funds, the park has never been in worse condition, and I would run for the board if it would help getting rid of the current board.

We would to like to share our thanks to all of you who took the time to fill out this survey.  Your answers were enlightening and very much appreciated.  Thank you for the kudos and positive comments about doing this survey.  The board will discuss this survey and take your comments into consideration as we plan out the future of Foothills and the upcoming budget.  Please remember that you are always welcome to provide comments and suggestions by slipping it into the mail drop on the board office door, or send a board member an email.  And, for those of you who wish to review the finances of the park, per Foothills’ governing documents, you have full access and all that is needed is to make an appointment to visit the offices of PK Community Property Management.

Thank you,

Your 2023-2024 Board of Directors.