5 Year Recreation Plan Update

The Township has been working on updating its Five-Year Recreation Plan. The first step in this process was gathering feedback on the quality of existing facilities and identifying priorities for the improvement and expansion of park facilities and non-motorized trailways. In June and July of 2024, we distributed a community survey that received 999 responses. The results of that survey are included below.

A draft of the 2025–2029 Texas Township Parks and Trails Master Plan, Texas Tomorrow: Preserve and Enhance, is now available for public review. The plan serves as a guide and decision-making tool for the future of park, trail, and recreation facilities in the Township.

Review the 2026-2030 Parks and Trails Master Plan

Review the 2024 5-Year Recreation Plan Update Survey Results. 

Snapshot/Highlights of Parks, Trails, and Recreation Survey

• 999 Respondents completed the Survey with a 77% completion rate (meaning answered every question)
• 5.5% response rate based on population (~18,000 – 2023 estimate)
• On average it took 6 minutes and 2 second to complete the survey

Demographics

• 95% of 999 survey respondents live in Texas Township as a full-time resident.
• 98% of respondents own a home in Texas Township (44 skipped this question).
• 75% of respondents live in a 2–4-person household.
• 51% of the respondents are aged from 35 to 55; 47% of respondents are over 55.

Park, Facilities, Programs

• 88% of respondents feel they have safe and convenient access to the parks – 6% answered ‘no’
• Texas Park is the most often utilized facility – 6.6% use daily; 26% use weekly; 26% monthly; 30% use at least once a year; 12% never use
• Most frequently used park, trails, and recreation asset (on a daily basis) are the Texas Township paved trailways
• 62% or 522 respondents use the parks and recreation amenities on a regular basis and believe these services are important to quality of life
• 97% of respondents (who do not use the parks and recreation amenities on a regular basis) believe parks and recreation amenities and service are important to quality of life
• Exercise/Fitness/Casual Sports (unstructured activity) is the most common recreation/leisure activity among respondents. Second is biking or cycling
• Respondents rated the condition of our parks and recreation facilities an 8 out of 10
• The availability of park land and greenspace is the most valued amenity in Texas Township
• Lack of equipment, lack of programs, and participation in other communities are the main reasons why respondents do not frequent the parks/facilities/programs. “Other” answers include:
  • availability of pickleball courts
  • mobility and safe sidewalk access to trails and parks
  • absence of baseball and softball fields
  • overgrown trails
  • lack of programs for seniors
• Top 5 priorities for new or enhanced park features include (in order of desirability): hiking/walking trails, paved trailways (bicycling and walking), restrooms, sledding hill, and Maple Splash Pad Amenities (shading/seating)
• An ‘all-age obstacle style challenge course’ at 6th Street Park ranged highest for a dedicated space in the park, seconded by outdoor fitness equipment
• 62% of respondents with dogs walk their dog in a Township Park or pathway
• Desire for an off-leash dog park is split among respondents; If an off-leash dog park were in Texas Township, respondents felt that 6th Street would be preferable over Texas Corners or Texas Drive Park