Montserrat Coronel
Research Mentor: Tory Watson
Mentor Department: City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation, NonUM
Author(s): Montserrat Coronel, Tory Watson
Session: Session 2 (10:00 AM – 10:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 18
Abstract
The Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Activation Program is designed to strengthen community engagement and increase usage of public parks across Ann Arbor. Recognizing that parks serve as essential spaces for recreation, social connection, and overall well-being, this project aims to gather direct input from residents to better understand current park usage patterns and identify opportunities for more inclusive and engaging programming. A 22-question survey was developed to assess visitation frequency, participation in recreational activities, perceived barriers to engagement, and desired events or resources. The survey will be distributed both online and in person throughout the spring of 2026 to ensure accessibility and diverse participation, with incentives offered to encourage responses. Although full data collection has not yet been completed, a pilot test was conducted with undergraduate students living in Ann Arbor to evaluate survey clarity and structure. The pilot indicated that the survey was generally user-friendly, requiring only minor adjustments. Preliminary findings suggest that many university students primarily engage in recreation within campus spaces and demonstrate limited involvement in city parks, citing transportation challenges and time constraints as common barriers. While these early findings are not fully representative, they highlight potential participation gaps that warrant further exploration. The completed study is expected to provide actionable, community-driven insights that will inform future park programming and outreach strategies. By identifying barriers to engagement and areas of interest, this project supports the broader goal of creating equitable, vibrant, and widely utilized park spaces throughout Ann Arbor.
