The focus group summary from March 31, 2016, outlines community feedback regarding the Bayside Park and Colchester Community Health and Wellness Center needs assessment. Participants identified various strengths and weaknesses of Bayside Park, including its central location and water access, while expressing desires for additional amenities and activities. Key issues highlighted include environmental concerns, accessibility, and the need for partnerships to support funding and development.

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!