3,000 People Answered a "Community Needs Assessment" Survey & the Results Are In!

Media
Jan 7
3 min read

Periodically, County Parks conducts a Community Needs Assessment (survey) to find out how well we’re meeting the community’s needs—and where we can do better. Results of the 2025 survey help us plan for future parks, facilities, and programs so that they match community needs and how people use our parks.

The following information is based on the results of that survey.

Background

Every five years, the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) conducts a needs assessment to understand community trends and guide future planning. The 2025 survey built upon previous surveys (2010, 2015, 2020) and included 25 questions in multiple formats to assess public awareness of park programs, public access to and use of our parks, and opportunities for new parks, facilities and service offerings.

The survey ran from June to July 2025 and was distributed in two ways: a general, randomized population sample of San Diego County households promoted through a contractor (1,200 responses) and an open link sample promoted through DPR channels (1,893 responses). Responses were analyzed separately and together to identify overarching needs.

Survey respondent demographics were compared to the 2023 American Community Survey data to ensure proper representation. Overall, the sample aligned well with county demographics in terms of age, race, and gender. However, the general population responses were reweighted to better reflect San Diego’s Hispanic/Latino population more accurately.

Key Findings

Top community priorities for future improvements include:

• Increased maintenance and repairs (69%)

• Upgraded amenities at existing parks (66%)

• Improved safety and security (65%)

Respondents were satisfied with access to picnic areas (68%), trails (67%), sports fields (67%), playgrounds (67%), gathering spaces (65%), and restrooms (65%) – indicating these areas are meeting current needs, but should remain a focus.

Areas for improved access include:

• Fitness centers and outside fitness equipment (59%)

• Senior centers (57%)

• Native plant and botanical gardens (57%)

• Community gardens (56%)

Popular programs included outdoor concerts/movies (61%), cultural events and festivals (59%), and fitness classes (56%). Desired additions included senior activities (56%), environmental education (54%), and general education (53%).

Respondent Demographics

Respondents were 49% male, 48% female, with 27% not having children at home and 26% with children at home. Racial/ethnic breakdown: 68% white, 23% Hispanic /Latino, 9% Asian, 5% Black, 3% American Indian, 2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 1% Middle Eastern/ North African.

Compared to U.S. Census data (2020), the survey slightly overrepresented white respondents (43%) and underrepresented Hispanic/Latino (34%) and Asian (12%) respondents.

Open-Ended Comments

Common themes included concerns about park safety, facility maintenance, limited parking, and conflicts between user groups (e.g. off-leash dogs, e-bikes). Suggestions included better signage, more volunteer opportunities, improved reservation tools, and partnerships with schools and community groups.

A Decade of Trends: Comparison to 2015

The 2025 survey aligns with previous years, allowing for trend analysis.

Notable shifts include:

• Higher satisfaction across all categories of facilities and amenities

• Increased importance for restrooms (+9.8%) and community gathering spaces (+7.3%)

• Senior activities saw the largest increase in importance (+9.9%)

• Higher satisfaction across all categories of programs and services

• Programs like teen activities (+19.2%), youth sports (+19%), and senior activities (+16.6%) showed the greatest gains in meeting needs

Park usage has rebounded post-COVID, with more frequent visits reported compared to 2020 and 2015. Demographics have also shifted: gender responses were nearly even (49% male, 48% female), with more balanced age and income distributions. Incomes reported were higher than in previous surveys, reflecting broader economic trends.

Recommendations

DPR will form a workgroup to integrate the feedback received from the needs assessment into operational planning. The workgroup will prioritize future project planning, with an emphasis on maintenance and facility enhancements through the Major Maintenance Program.

Results from the assessment will be shared publicly on Engage San Diego to ensure transparency and demonstrate how community feedback directly informs project prioritization.