Residents Split by Age on Importance of Wilton Amenities

Does Wilton have too many ball fields and parks–or not enough? The way that question is answered likely depends on your age. The differences were significant enough to be pointed out in the findings of a recent survey about amenities in town.

The survey was administered by Milone & MacBroom as part of Wilton’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) process. The survey looked at what amenities Wilton has and how people feel about them, as well as what amenities do people want that the town may be missing. There were 306 people who provided answers to the online survey.

The Milone & MacBroom consultants compared responses from 30-54 year olds to those of 55-70 year olds, and turned up some statistically significant differences. Even though 78% of all respondents said that the availability of quality parks and recreation facilities was very important or somewhat important when deciding to live in or remain in Wilton, the age groups were split on just how important those fields and facilities are:

• Ballfields:  55-70 more likely to say too many
• Picnic areas:  30-54 more likely to say too few, and less likely to say right amount
• Playgrounds:  30-54 more likely to say too few, and less likely to say right amount
• Swimming pools:  30-54 more likely to say desired, and less likely to say right amount
• Basketball courts:  55-70 more likely to say right amount
• Pickle ball courts:  55-70 more likely to say too few
• Skateboarding areas:  30-54 more likely to say desired
• Ice-skating rinks:  55-70 more likely to say too few
• Splash pads: 55-70 more likely to say none needed; 30-54 more likely to say desired or too few

There were some significant differences between the age groups as well for the question of just how important specific active parks and fields are:

• Ambler Farm:  30-54 more likely to say very important, less likely to say not at all important
• Comstock Center:  55-70 more likely to say not at all important
• Elementary/middle school fields:  30-54 more likely to say very or somewhat important and less likely to say not at all important
• Lion’s Park:  55-70 more likely to say not at all important
• Merwin Meadows fields:  55-70 more likely to say not at all important
• High school fields:  30-54 more likely to say very important, less likely to say not at all important
• Gilbert & Bennet fields:  55-70 more likely to say somewhat important and less likely to be neutral

As for what amenities Wilton residents say are missing but that they’d like to have, the top two answers by far were a swimming pool an ice rink. Those were followed by playgrounds, a dog park, a bike path or lanes, and a track.

The most important reason why respondents felt the missing amenities were necessary was to attract potential new residents, which just slightly edged out improving the quality of life for current residents.

The amenity that is most used by Wilton residents is one of the newest–the Norwalk River Valley Trail. More than 100 respondents said they use it regularly (24 or more visits per year). The least used town amenities are the Post Field at the Montessori School in South Wilton and Lion’s Park, near Georgetown.

The complete report on the findings can be found on the POCD website.