PowerPoint produced by GreenPlay, LLC to summarize findings from March 2016 focus groups and public forum RE: Community Center Needs Assessment & Master Plan and Bayside Park Master Plan.

1. Focus Group Summary
March 31, 2016
Colchester Community Health and Wellness Center
Needs Assessment and Bayside Park Master Plan

2.  What we’ve heard
 Your input
 Questions & Answers
Agenda

3. Focus Group Summary
Length of Colchester Residence
65 participants in 5 Focus Groups
< 5 years – 8%
5-9 years – 1%
10-19 years – 15%
20+ years – 55%
Not an Colchester resident but use programs –
18%

4. Strengths of the Current
Bayside Park
 The Bay Itself
 Central Location/Hub
 Proximity to school
 Water Access
 Tennis Courts
 Playground
 Pavilions
 Basketball Courts
 Open Fields
 Proximity to Retail Food
 Bike Paths
 Skate Park
 Paths
 Historical Allegiance –
Community Gathering
Place
 Water
 Versatility of the Park
 Lighted Tennis Courts
 Mature Trees

5. Strengths of the Current
Bayside Park
 Pavilion Well Used
 Sense of Community
 Middle of Protected Bay –
Gradual Sandy Walk Out
 Shuffleboard Courts
 Guarded Beach
 Senior center & Kitchen
 Rest Rooms
 Pickleball on Tennis Courts
 Swimming Lessons
 Multipurpose
 Concerts
 Trees/Natural Areas
 Safe
 Parking near by
 Boating Activities
 Sailboat Races

6. Weaknesses of the Current
Bayside Park
 Traffic
 Park Divided by Road
 Water Quality
 Transportation
 Sewer, Storm Water
Issues
 Access to Park
 Seasonal Park Use
 Centrally Located
 Parking shared w/school
 Lack of a Gateway
 Archeological Sensitivity
 Endangered Species,
Protected Sand Plains
 Lacking Bathroom Facilities
 No Mountain Biking

7. Weaknesses of the Current
Bayside Park
 Slope/Sightline
 Treacherous
Bicycle/Pedestrian Route
 Parking for Special Event
 Old Facilities
 ADA Accessibility
 Layout of Amenities
 Too Many Weekend Boats
 Amenity Adjacencies Not
Ideal (teens language at
Skate Park not family
friendly)
 Family Friendly

8. Additional Activities Desired at
Bayside Park
 Boating
 View of Lake
 Wedding Receptions
 Gateway
 Children Activities
 Winter Recreational
Activities
 Revenue from Rental
Pavilions – Year Round
 Entertainment
 Concerts
 Food Truck Rallies

9. Additional Activities Desired at
Bayside Park
 Pedestrian safe
 Disc Golf
 Ice Skating
 Parties
 Fishing
 Farmer’s Market
 Bocce Ball
 Swimming
 Triathlon Swimming Training
 Swim Lessons
 Pedestrian Bridge/Tunnel
 Scholarship
 Sledding
 Multigenerational Family
Activities

10. Additional Activities Desired at
Bayside Park
 Nordic Skating
 Possibility of
Relocating Road
 Fourth of July Event
 Meeting/Rental Space
 Activities for Kids
 Cross Country Trails
 Direct Access to
Amenities Without
Crossing Traffic
 Pickle Ball
 Paddle Tennis
 Outdoor Movies
 Half-day Activities
 Science Education
of Lake/Water

11. Desired New Amenities for
Bayside Park
 Spray Pad/Ice Rink)
 Transient Dock – 100
foot is being built
 Floating Barge Stage
 Ice Skating Rink
 Warming Hut/Fire Pit
 Restaurant on the Lake
 Wedding Rentals/Tent
Location
 Fishing Pier-rentals
 Rental Pavilion
 Concert Shell
 Snack Bar
 Showers
 Viewing Area of the
Bay with Seating
 Boardwalk
 Food Truck space

12. Desired New Amenities for
Bayside Park
 Passive recreation viewing
 Rest Rooms
 Gateway to water
 Bocce Ball Courts
 Large Destination
Playground
 Bike Rentals
 Pickle Ball Courts
 Disc Golf
 Indoor Program Space
 Water Walkway to
Connect New Property –
Bayzlet
 Indoor Rental Space
dividable
 Multipurpose Courts –
Pickle Ball, Tennis
 Kayak/Canoe/SUPs Drop-
Off & Dock
 Piers with shop or
floating

13. Desired New Amenities for
Bayside Park
 Water Park
 Roller Hockey
 Transient Moorings
 Amphitheater
 Pool
 Trails
 Dog Park
 Fitness Stations on Trails
 Utilize Unused Hillside
 Piers with shop or
floating
 Ice Boat Racing
 Town Identifier
 Special Event Area
 Paddle Tennis Courts
 Water Bottle Filling
Stations
 Community Garden

14. Desired New Amenities for
Bayside Park
 Triathlons
 Races – Runs/Biking
 BMX Bike
 Outdoor classroom
 Remove fences on
softball field to create
multiuse fields
 Ski Trails
 Sledding Hill
 Nordic Skating Oval Rink
 Pond Hockey
 Ice Fishing

15. Key Issues / Values
 Lake Visibility
 Parking
 Water Quality of the Bay
 Traffic Topography
 Lack of Sewer System
 Environmental
Issues/Regulations
 Neighboring Campsite
 Anti-Development
 Users Don’t See
Boundaries – School/Town
 Schools – plan for
new K-2 school
 Low Growth
Support/High Growth
 Infrastructure
Constraints
 Summer Population
Increases Overall
Population
Tremendously
 Multigenerational Uses

16. Key Issues / Values
 Green Space/Trees/Wooded
 Infrastructure Constraints
 Summer Population
increases overall population
tremendously
 Green Space/Trees/Wooded
 No Community Consensus
of Vision for Bayside Park
 Lake Visibility
 ADA Accessibility
 Safety
 Partnerships –
Town & School
 Build Green
 Welcoming

17. Activities Desired at
Community Center
 Gym Courts
 Wellness Programming
(Weight Loss, Nutrition,
Smoking Cessation,
Heart Health, Diabetes,
etc.)
 Food court
 Walking track
 WiFi
 Fitness Equipment
 Dividable Multipurpose
 Yoga Room, Pilates,
Martial Arts Multiuse
 Performance Space
 Meeting Space with
Stage
 Dance
 Fitness Classes
 Event Rental Space

18. Activities Desired at
Community Center
 Child Care
 Aquatic Classes
 Basketball
 Volleyball
 Tennis
 Rentals
 Swim Lessons
 Open Swim
 Youth Sport Tournaments
and Practice
 League Play
 Art Programming
 Rehabilitation
 Sports Performance
 Pickle Ball
 Ping-Pong

19. Activities Desired at
Community Center
 Video Games
 Fitness Class Studio
 Swimming - Pool,
Leisure and Lap
 Climbing Wall
 Indoor Playground
 Adaptive Programming
 Technology
Programming
 Lifeguard Training
 Spinning
 Indoor Lacrosse
 Soccer
 Baseball
 Field Hockey
 Softball
 Kickball
 Billiards

20. Activities Desired at
Community Center
 Camps
 Senior
 Tumble time
 Dog Park activities
 Physical Therapy
 Safe Firearms Shooting
 Archery
 Golf

21. Amenities Desired at
Community Center
 Walking/Jogging Track
 Snack Bar
 Food Court
 Indoor Turf Space
 Meeting/Conference
Rooms
 Teaching Kitchen
 Community Area
 Arts & Crafts
 Indoor Aquatic Center
 Climbing Wall

22. Amenities Desired at
Community Center
 Salon
 Performing Arts
 Office Rental Space
 Dog Park
 Underground Parking
 Golf/Batting Cages
 Golf Simulators
 Library
 Shooting Range
 Teen Center
 Batting Cages
 Incubator Space
 Greenhouse

23. Financial Support
 User Fees
 Private/Public Partnerships
 1% Local Option Tax
 Memberships
 Rentals
 Private Donation
 Sponsorships
 Bonds
 Naming Rights
 Fund Raising Campaign
 Rec Impact Fee for
Capital Projects
 Property Tax
 Grants

24. Key Potential Partners
 UVM Medical Center
 Colchester School District
 Local Youth Sports
Organizations
 Library
 Local Business
Community
 Local Civic Groups
 Mountain Bike
Association
 Social Services
Organizations
 Police
 Silver Sneakers
 Developers
 Property Owners
 Clergy
 Marinas

25. Key Issues / Values
 Capital and Operational
Funding
 Finding the Right Location
 Transportation
 Sewer/Stormwater
 Affordability
 Inclusivity
 Pre K-1 School Adjacency
 For the Citizens
 Economic
Sustainability
 Green LEED Building
 Sense of Community
 Community Hub
 Add Outdoor
Amenities
 Create a Park Setting

26. Thank You For Your Time
and Input!