After years of discussions about park improvements and the potential addition of a recreation center, Shaler is seeking resident input about the future of its dozen parks in a survey.
The extensive questionnaire comes as a result of recommendations made by the Kiwanis Park Focus Group in May 2024, Shaler communications specialist Mel Crawford said.
That group considered options for modifications to Shaler’s centrally located park, including the addition of a community center on the site of the former Jeffery Primary School. In the end, it advised the town commissioners to do a full study of the town’s parks.
That led the township to hire OHM Advisors, a community consultant group, to help develop a master plan based on resident desires, Crawford said. The survey is the first step in gathering input for that plan.
Chris Riggert, a project manager and landscape architect at OHM, said the survey will give the firm a “comprehensive understanding” of Shaler’s needs.
“Instead of looking at an individual park, it looks at all parks together and the whole system to understand where there may be opportunities and challenges to strengthen the system as a whole,” he said.
Though the survey asks residents to consider Shaler’s other 11 parks, Kiwanis still takes center stage as the location of the township’s only pool, numerous popular sports areas and its proximity to the now-vacant primary school.
In a “deep dive” section of the questionnaire, residents are asked to consider what they would like to see in a potential recreation or community center at Kiwanis and their willingness to modify the park’s current layout to make room for it.
Riggert said he hopes to present the results of the survey this summer before OHM begins working on feasibility plans to bring suggestions to reality. Ultimately, the process likely will take years, but he said he already is impressed by the amount of resident engagement.
Crawford said the survey will be open until April 11. A public event to offer suggestions will take place March 19 at Shaler North Hills Library.