Boyce Mayview Park: Survey Results
In October 1997, approximately 6,800 surveys were mailed to all Upper St. Clair residents. By November 25th, 1,964 residents had returned their surveys. All the surveys were sent for data entry and analysis to Dr. Charles H. Bertness, Coordinator for the Applied Research Lab at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
The analysis was completed January 5, 1998, and was distributed to the Parks and Recreation Board and the Board of Commissioners at their first meetings in 1998.
The results follow:
Question 1 asked how many people within certain age groups live in the household.
- 82% had at least one child in the household up to age 19
- 56% had household members between 40 and 59 years old
- 35% had household members between 20 and 39 years old
- 32% had household members 60 and older
Question 2 asked the respondents' neighborhoods or streets. While the responses generally came from all areas of the township, specifically:
- Collectively, 26% were from areas closest to the park (Boyce/Deerfield, Morton Road, Skyridge, Millgrove and Tall Trees)
- Approximately 11% were from each of the following areas:
Westminster/Trotwood
Wiltshire Park
Hays Park
Montclair
Question 3 asked about familiarity with the park.
- 50% had visited the wetlands
- 38% had used the bordering ballfields and athletic facilities
- 35% had seen the park video
- 34% had hiked the Boyce trails
Question 4 asked for favorite leisure or recreational activity outside the home.
This question was not asking what was wanted, but just what residents enjoy doing outside the home. The following activities had the most responses in the order listed:
- Jogging/walking/hiking
- Golf
- Biking
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Soccer
- Nature Walks/Bird Watching
- Baseball
Question 5 asked which statement most clearly represents the respondents' vision for recreational enjoyment of Boyce/Mayview Park.
- 42% wanted preservation and enhancement of the existing natural features of the park while providing passive and active conventional park facilities and activities.
- 37% wanted conservation of the existing natural features of the park with minimal development to provide for passive recreational use and environmental education.
- 20% wanted a multi-facility park including larger recreational facilities.
Question 6 asked what facilities should be provided at the Boyce/Mayview Park.
Surveys returned had multiple responses with the top responses being:
- 85% wanted hiking, walking and biking trails
- 51% wanted picnic areas
- 44% wanted natural open fields
- 39% wanted a swimming pool
- 37% wanted picnic shelters
- 37% wanted a nature center/ecological study
Question 7 asked for written comments.
Copies of all comments (approximately 1,200) were given to and reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Board members, who genuinely appreciated the time and thought residents put into answering this question. While there were many diverse opinions regarding how the property should be used, the following gives a flavor for some of the most repeated sentiments.
Many people expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to have input in the planning process. If anything is done on the property, they want it "done right. . . ."
Concerns were expressed about the effect any development would have on taxes.
A number of people highly value preserving the greenspace, noting what a unique property it is just "as is."
They refer to it as a true treasure and enjoy it as a place to "get away from it all."
They do not want to see any further development of the park other than possibly additional trails or picnic areas.
Many other residents view the Boyce/Mayview property as a unique opportunity to increase quality of life and property values by maintaining the park in a mostly undeveloped state, but adding some family friendly facilities similar to what is offered in neighboring townships (e.g. Peterswood Park and bike trail, and the pools in Mt Lebanon and Scott Township).
There were also a number of requests for dogs to be permitted on the Boyce/Mayview property.
The Parks and Recreation Board thanks all those who participated in the survey. They next plan to meet with the Board of Commissioners to present and discuss the survey results, as well as to solicit further direction from the Board as to the next step in the planning process. The Parks and Recreation Board is also working on interim site policies for Boyce/Mayview to enhance residents' current use and enjoyment of the park.
The complete Boyce/Mayview Park Recreational Preference Survey is located in the Upper St. Clair Library (inquire at the Reference Desk).
