Santa Maria Recreation & Parks unveils five-year plan extending services to seniors, youth, community members

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Santa Maria's Recreation and Parks Department is moving forward with a five-year plan aimed at extending programs for families, seniors, youth, and other community members.

The City Council approved the department's Leisure Needs Assessment report at its meeting on Tuesday.

The report provides a snapshot in time of how the Recreation and Parks Department is meeting the needs of the community.

“We're really excited to use this report as a roadmap for the next five years," said recreation services manager Dennis Smitherman.

Smitherman says his team surveyed hundreds of community members during a seven-month period in 2019.

“We hosted many community meetings, meet with community stake holders and different groups, as well as individuals in the community through surveys that were mailed to [them], and pop up survey events that we held.”

Top responses included adding more bike-paths, pickle ball courts, green space, and expanding programs.

“Senior fitness has been a really big issue for us this year, that's our largest growing population here in Santa Maria," said Smitherman. "Also teens, providing additional resources and recreational opportunities to help keep them out of trouble.”

Existing resources for youth include music lessons, computer classes, and arts and crafts.

More sports fields was a request, too.

“While soccer field space, baseball space is always an issue, we continue to try to meet those goals through grant writes, and other ways to fund additional sports complexes.”

According to the survey, one area of concern among park goers was safety. Park rangers say some residents have misconceptions places like Buena Vista Park on South Pine Street.

"It's one of the larger parks in the City of Santa Maria,” said ranger Ruben Ramirez. “People have a perception...It's actually a safe park."

Ramirez says some people might be unfamiliar with the neighborhood. He says park rangers partner with the Santa Maria Police Department to patrol the city's 32 parks and respond to calls.

“They range from smoking violations, to open containers, or after school fights with high school students," said Ramirez.

The Recreation and Parks Department did not request additional funding to meet its five-year plan. Smitherman says the goals are within their budget.