SURVEY SHOWS LA MESA RESIDENTS THINK QUALITY OF LIFE IS GREAT, BUT WANT MORE PARK FACILITIES

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By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2017 (La Mesa) – A survey conducted by the city of La Mesa found that 91% of residents rated quality of life in the city as good or excellent, with 87% satisfied with the city’s performance in providing municipal services.

Although 80% ranked quality of parks and recreational facilities as excellent or good, La Mesans indicated they’d like improvements. Asked to prioritize these improvements, 91% chose safety and security lighting as high or medium priority, 83% wanted recreation and playground equipment upgraded, 64% wanted new sports fields and 64% felt expanding or replacing the Senior Center should be a priority.

Residents ranked maintaining a low crime rate as the most important service (94% extremely or very important) and 96% said they feel safe walking in their neighborhood alone, though after dark that dipped to 73%.

When the survey’s results are compared to the 2015 survey, there was a significant increase in the percentage of residents who rated traffic on major streets as excellent or good. There was also an increase in the percentage of residents who felt safe in residential neighborhoods and business areas. Residents felt that an area where the City can improve is communication. Fewer residents were satisfied with the City’s communication efforts than in the 2015 survey.

When residents were asked what they felt the City could do to improve the quality of life, their top priorities were maintaining and repairing local streets, addressing the homeless issue, reducing storm water pollution, and creating a pedestrian-friendly, walkable community.

The survey, conducted by True North Research hired by the City, included mail, e-mail and phone surveys.

The purpose of the survey is to “better understand how La Mesa residents feel about the way the City is providing vital services, understand where we should spend limited City resources and assess opinions on a variety of topics such as public safety, traffic and parks and recreation.” The City conducts a community survey every two years.

The 2017 community survey can be viewed on the City’s website by clicking the link below or copying and pasting it into your browser: http://www.cityoflamesa.com/531/Public-Opinion-Survey

Read the full survey results:  http://www.cityoflamesa.com/DocumentCenter/View/9810

 


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