Survey of Residents, December 1997, Barron Park (Neighborhood) Association

Contact: BPA President

Index



Introduction to this extended version of the report on survey results

The original article (as it appeared in the Spring 1998 issue of the BPA Newsletter) did not include all the information included here because of space limitations and deadline pressures.
The extended version was created by Doug Moran. It does not include additional responses or any re-analysis of the data.

Summary of extensions and changes:

Response Rate

The survey was included in the Winter 1997 issue of the BPA Newsletter. This issue is mailed to all residents in the neighborhood, not just to members of the BPA. 1600 copies of the newsletter were mailed, and 214 replies were received, for a response rate of 13%.

Members of the BPA Board of Directors were asked to submit their surveys separately so that they could be tabulated separately and those results compared to the general population. 7 of the 12 then-active Board members (58%) responded thusly. These 7 responses are not included in the counts given in the Residents columns in the tables below.



Introduction from original article

By Shirley Finfrock

As one of the newer board members of the Barron Park Association, I took on the job of compiling the results of the survey to have a better understanding of our residents' views and interests with the questions presented. As you read over the survey tabulations, you too will note that we are made up of a diverse group of individuals with very conflicting views. I was pleased to see that the board members replies ran parallel with the population that responded to the survey, and is indeed a sampling of our neighborhood.

The local business related questions brought forth the key issue for Barron Park residents: The sadness and anger of the loss of our neighborhood grocery. The inconvenience is immense for many of our residents who walked to the market, or felt safe driving just a short distance from their homes to pick up their groceries. Even those of us who have transportation miss the ability to dash to the market and be back in less than 10 minutes when we are in the midst of preparing a meal. We ran the gamut from wanting just a place to pick up milk, bread and produce, a Milk Pail type store; to an Andronico's, Whole Foods, or a large Lucky Store like the one on Rengstorff and Middlefield in Mountain View. Many residents suggested a Starbucks, Sophies or Peet's as a neighborhood meeting and greeting place for our neighborhood.

You will note with the current emphasis on banning leaf blowers in Palo Alto, that 117 of our residents found them to be a minor or no annoyance, and 79 residents found them to be a major or significant annoyance. Solutions suggested regarding residents running stop signs, ranged from installing speed bumps, to removing all stop signs. Again, this points out our diversity of population. As diverse as we may be, the majority agree that Mickey and Perry are very special to our neighborhood.

[Editor's note: Comments have been lightly edited. Similar comments were not repeated. On the survey form, "no opinion" was an explicit choice, so that it could be distinguished from "no response." ]



BOL PARK:

"I/we visit Bol Park."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Frequently 83 / 41% 7 / 100%
Sometimes 91 / 45% 0
Rarely/never 28 / 14% 0
Total 202 / 94% 7 / 100%

Times per month:


"I/we visit the donkeys."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Frequently 29 / 16% 4 / 57%
Sometimes 88 / 49% 2 / 29%
Rarely/never 61 / 34% 1 / 14%
Total 178 / 83% 7 / 100%

Times per month:


"Mickey and Perry are very special to our neighborhood."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Agree 169 / 84% 6 / 86%
No Opinion 27 / 13% 1 / 14%
Disagree 5 / 2% 0
Total 201 / 94% 7 / 100%

Comments:

Other comments related to parks:

[[These comments also appear under YOUTH.]]



TRAFFIC:

[[Action taken: this information in this section was passed to representatives of the Palo Alto Police Department at the February 1998 liaison meeting.]]

Speeding is a problem in Barron Park.

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
No problem 41 / 21% 0
Moderate Problem 111 / 56% 5 / 71%
Serious Problem 48 / 24% 2 / 29%
Total 200 / 93% 7 / 100%

Locations: Amaranta, Barron, Laguna, Los Robles, Matadero, Maybell, [[The preceding locations are well-known problem areas and are targeted by the police from time to time.]] Between Whitsell & La Donna on Barron [[This is a long-standing problem, which the BPA has made well-known to the city (no fix pending) and the police.]], El Centro, Encina Grande, Florales, Josina, La Donna, Military Way.

Comments:


Running of stop signs is a problem in Barron Park.

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
No problem 57 / 33% 0
Moderate Problem 89 / 51% 5 / 71%
Serious Problem 28 / 16% 2 / 29%
Total 174 / 81% 7 / 100%

Locations: Amaranta/Los Robles, Amaranta/Maybell, Georgia/Maybell, LaDonna/Los Robles, Laguna/Los Robles, Laguna/Matadero, Barron/La Donna, Barron/Laguna, Military Way/Magnolia.

Comments:


The speeding problem in Barron Park should be resolved through law enforcement rather than with more traffic signs. (more info: enforcement, design)

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
1987 Survey
(%)
Agree 131 / 71% 6 / 86% 81%
No opinion 27 / 15% 1 / 14% 08%
Disagree 27 / 15% 0 11%
Total 185 / 86% 7/ 100%  

Comments:


Bicycling is safe in Barron Park.

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Feel unsafe 4 / 2% 0
Moderately safe 68 / 34% 3 / 50%
Feel safe 87 / 44% 1 / 17%
Do not bicycle 41 / 21% 2 / 33%
Total 200 / 93% 6 / 86%
1987 Survey*
(%)
Disagree 27%*
Agree 54%*
No opinion 19%*


*Question in the 1987 survey was stated as the negative - "Bicycling is unsafe in Barron Park. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion" - which can affect the results (and the comparison). The Agree/Disagree answers from the 1987 survey were inverted in the above table to simplify the comparison.

Comments:

Other comments related to traffic and streets:



LOCAL BUSINESS:

"The local businesses along El Camino Real (south) adequately serve the residents of Barron Park."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
1987 Survey
(%)
Agree 23 / 13% 0 37%
No opinion 20 / 11% 0 21%
Disagree 141 / 77% 7 / 100% 43%
Total 184 / 86% 7 / 100%  

Comments:


"I would like to see the following business(es) on El Camino."

Residents (#)Board Members (#)
Grocery 170 7
Bakery 102 4
Produce 117 6
Note: people could mark more than one category.

Other: (includes items from the "Comments" section at the end of the survey)

Comments:


[[Action: This information is being provided by the BPA Community-Business Relations Committee to businesses of interest to the neighborhood as an indication of potential demand for their services. ]]


"I patronize businesses on El Camino Real near Barron Park."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Frequently 74 / 38% 3 / 43%
Sometimes 93 / 48% 3 / 43%
Rarely/never 27 / 14% 1 / 14%
Total 194 / 91% 7 / 100%

Comments (summarized):



SENIORS:

"More programs are needed for our senior residents."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
1987 Survey*
(%)
Agree 24 / 14% 4 / 57% 73%*
No opinion 132 / 76% 3 / 43% 17%*
Disagree 17 / 10% 0 11%*
Total 173 / 81% 7 / 100%  
*Question in the 1987 survey was stated as "A program to begin meeting the needs of our elderly residents is necessary in our community.". The major difference between "begin meeting" and "More programs" means that the results are not directly comparable. This modified question was included with the hope that it could provide some guidance as to any dissatisfaction with current level of such programs.

Comments:


"I need a better public transit system to get to places within Palo Alto."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Agree 43 / 25% 3 / 50%
No Opinion 101 / 59% 2 / 33%
Disagree 26 / 15% 1 / 17%
Total 170 / 79% 6 / 86%

Comments:



YOUTH:

"There are enough recreation programs for young people in our neighborhood."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
1987 Survey
(%)
Agree 20 / 11% 1 / 14% 24%
No opinion 111 / 62% 3 / 43% 32%
Disagree 48 / 27% 3 / 43% 44%
Total 179 / 84% 7 / 100%  

Comments:



TREES:

"I would like to see more street trees in Barron Park." (intro, more info)

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Agree 106 / 58% 2 / 29%
No Opinion 44 / 24% 3 / 43%
Disagree 33 / 18% 2 / 29%
Total 183 / 86% 7 / 100%

Comments:


"The City of Palo Alto does a good job of trimming our trees."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
1987 Survey
(%)
Agree 50 / 25% 1 / 14% 39%
No opinion 86 / 44% 2 / 29% 27%
Disagree 61 / 31% 4 / 57% 34%
Total 197 / 92% 7 / 100%  

Comments:



CITY RESPONSIVENESS:

"The staff and city council of Palo Alto are responsive to the interests of Barron Park residents."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
1987 Survey
(%)
Agree 59 / 30% 4 / 57% 39%
No opinion 80 / 41% 1 / 14% 28%
Disagree 57 / 29% 2 / 29% 33%
Total 196 / 92% 7 / 100%  

Comments:



RESIDENTIAL ZONING:

"I think there should be a neighborhood approval process for building large houses on small lots."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
1987 Survey
(%)
Agree 117 / 60% 6 / 86% 72%
No opinion 26 / 13% 1 / 14% 11%
Disagree 51 / 26% 0 17%
Total 194 / 91% 7 / 100%  

Comments:

[[see also the the survey of BPA members in November 1996: Introduction and Questions and Results. ]]



PALO ALTO POLICE (intro) :

"I would like to see volunteers (businesses, motels, individual residents) provide sleeping quarters for our police officers who work overtime and have just a few hours between shifts."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Agree 107 / 54% 6 / 86%
No Opinion 79 / 40% 1 / 14%
Disagree 13 / 7% 0
Total 199 / 93% 7 / 100%

Comments:


"I have a spare room in which I would gladly allow a PA Police Officer to sleep occasionally."

Thirteen individuals volunteered rooms in their homes.



COMMUNICATION (intro) :

"I am getting good information about Barron Park events and issues."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Agree 164 / 82% 6 / 86%
No Opinion 18 / 9% 1 / 14%
Disagree 17 / 9% 0
Total 199 / 93% 7 / 100%

Comments:


BPA e-mail list (intro) :

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Do not have e-mail 64 / 35% 1 / 14%
Did not know of list 79 / 43% 0
I'm on the list 22 / 12% 4 / 57%
Decided not to subscribe 18 / 10% 2 / 29%
Total 183 / 86% 7 / 100%

Comments:

Note on response rate:


BPA World Wide Web site (intro) :

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
No Web access 52 / 29% 1 / 14%
Did not know of site 46 / 25% 0
Visited site 34 / 19% 6 / 86%
Not visited site 49 / 27% 0
Total 181 / 85% 7 / 100%

Comments: none


"I find the information in BPA e-mail and on BPA Web site useful." (intro) :

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Agree 37 / 24% 5 / 71%
No Opinion 42 / 27% 1 / 14%
Disagree 6 / 3% 0
No access / not visited 68 / 44% 1 / 14%
Total 153 / 71% 7 / 100%

Comments:


"I go by the kiosk regularly and it would be a good place for me to see Barron Park news." (intro) :

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Agree 58 / 31% 4 / 57%
No Opinion 49 / 26% 1 / 14%
Disagree 81 / 43% 2 / 29%
Total 188 / 88% 7 / 100%

Comments:


"I know about BPA's Emergency Preparedness activities." (more info)

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
1987 Survey*
(%)
Agree 82 / 44% 5 / 71% 45%*
No opinion 44 / 24% 2 / 29% 16%*
Disagree 59 / 32% 0 39%*
Total 185 / 86% 7 / 100%  
*Question in the 1987 survey was stated as "I know about BPA's Emergency Preparedness Plan" ("Plan" instead of "activities")

Comments:



BPA ACTIVITIES:

"I/we come to the May Fete."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Always 21 / 11% 4 / 57%
Sometimes 75 / 38% 1 / 14%
Rarely/never 96 / 49% 2 / 29%
Never heard of it 5 / 3% 0
Total 197 / 92% 7 / 100%

Comments: none


"Information and ideas offered at the Annual House & Garden Faires aided our family."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Agree 39 / 21% 3 / 43%
Did not attend 110 / 60% 0
No Opinion 26 / 14% 3 / 43%
Disagree 8 / 4% 1 / 14%
Total 183 / 86% 7 / 100%

Comments:



LEAFBLOWERS (intro, more info) :

"A leafblower is used on my property."

Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
No 95 / 48% 4 / 57%
By me / family member 26 / 13% 0
By gardener 77 / 39% 3 / 43%
Total 198 / 93% 7 / 100%

Estimated minutes per week (residents): [[In the original version, this table was mispositioned: it was placed after the subsequent question.]]

Estimated minutes per week (BPA Board members):


"Leafblowers are an annoyance to me."

Level Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
None 45 / 24% 1 / 14%
Minor 72 / 39% 2 / 29%
Significant 42 / 23% 4 / 57%
Major problem 27 / 15% 0
Total 186 / 87% 7 / 100%
Category
(multiple answers)
Residents
(# / %)
Board Members
(# / %)
Noise 122 / 66% 5 / 71%
fumes/smell 41 / 22% 3 / 43%
dust/pollen 47 / 25% 3 / 43%

Estimated minutes per week (residents):

Estimated minutes per week (BPA Board members):

Comments:


"Leafblowing in neighboring yards blows things into my yard."

Residents (#)Board Members (#)
never/rarely 138 6
dust/pollen 55 1
debris (leaves, grass clippings, ...) 28 0
Note: people could check multiple answers


"Weekdays (9-5), I am at home." (information confidential -- for statistical analysis only)

We did not get the hoped-for person familiar with computer-based statistical analysis to do the correlation of this information with the other questions in this section. The number of respondents replying always/usually or often was higher than we expected. Thus, we do not believe that the other questions in this section were biased by a disproportionate response rate from those who were sometimes or rarely/never home.

Version Info: $Revision: 1.4 $ $Date: 2003/06/15 06:08:13 $
Copyright 1998 by the Barron Park Association
Permission to make digital or hard copy of part or all of this work is granted without fee provided that acknowledgement is given.