This document summarizes an asset mapping and recreation program review conducted for the City of Schertz, Texas. The review found a lack of recreation programs offered by the Schertz Parks and Recreation Department, resulting in residents relying on various non-profit and commercial entities for programming. Specifically, there was a concentration of programs near the city center, leaving a gap in the heavily populated northwest area. Additionally, most programs served children and youth, with few opportunities for older adults. The recommendations call for the Parks department to address needs in the northwest part of the city and for older adults, which can be done without creating redundancies or lack of interest.

1. Asset Mapping & Recreation Programming Review
City of Schertz, Texas
Sarah Walters, Amy Marlow, Ashley Rioux, & Kendall Schmalriede
Department of Health and Human Performance
Division of Recreation Administration
Introduction
In order to be successful in today’s economy,
municipal agencies must be strategic in their
planning and be aware of constituents’ needs.
Asset Mapping and Recreation Program
Reviews provide a systematic process for
investigating the. The purpose of this research
was to investigate the state of public, private,
and nonprofit recreation programs in the City of
Schertz, Texas. This report provides an analysis
of recreation program distribution in Schertz, as
well as recommendations for increasing the
success of the Schertz Parks and Recreation
Department.
Results
A lack of programs offered by the Schertz Parks and
Recreation Department that must be supplemented by
various non-profit and commercial entities:
Distribution Problems:
Based on the RALA tool results and map of program
offerings, there is a concentrated area of program
locations near the city center.
Locating near businesses rather than residential areas
has left gap in the heavily populated northwest area of the
city along IH35.
Gaps in Service:
As evidenced by RPA and community demographics, all
gender, race/ethnicity, and income groups served equally.
Most programs offered are for children and youth, and
there are almost no opportunities for older adults.
Redundancies in Service:
As the Schertz PARD focuses on improving and
providing facilities and other amenities, there are few
overlaps in programs between the PARD and other
agencies.
Objectives
To examine the need for public recreation programming in
Schertz through a review of community characteristics and
current program offerings.
Background & Rationale
Asset Mapping: The process of identifying, mapping, and
recording information on people, places, local businesses,
networks, and groups reveals positive attributes that exist
within a community. Ideally, the end result is the ability to
capitalize on social capital and enterprising interests.
Rural Active Living Assessment: The RALA tools
evaluate “three key elements to capture the activity
friendliness of rural communities: broad-level characteristics
and recreational amenities, specific programs and policies,
and street segment characteristics.”*
Recreation Program Assessment: Consultant Matt
Bucchin suggests that agencies perfect that STAMP process,
which emphasizes a proactive and targeted approach to
planning, implementation, and relationships with partners
and constituents.**
Methods
Data Collection & Analysis:
• Considered philosophy, vision, and
mission statements of Schertz PARD
• Completed a Rural Active Living
Assessment and gathered consolidated
community demographics for the City of
Schertz
• Listed and mapped recreation program
offerings within the City of Schertz
•Based on findings, analyzed
distribution problems, gaps in service,
and overlaps or redundancies between
city services and other agencies
Recommendations
The Schertz PARD could address the need for programs
in the northwest part of the city, as well as the need for
programs that cater to older adults. The City could do
this without fear of creating redundancies or lack of
interest, as many residents have expressed interest
during a needs assessment recently completed by the
city.
All providers in the area, including the PARD, must
consider that much of their population is served by
Randolph Air Force Base. However, the City must not
allow the non-military population to be underserved.
The public recreation provider in the City of Schertz,
the Parks and Recreation Department, must consider
the needs of residents when deciding whether to
expand program offerings.
*Based on article published in Preventive Medicine: Yousefian, Hennessy, Umstattd, Economos, Hallam, Hyatt, & Hartley, 2009.
**Based on lecture presented at TRAPS Institute & Expo: Bucchin, 2013.