2023 Lake Forest Survey Report_October9_FINAL
The author wishes to preface this commentary by acknowledging the generally positive results of the 2023 Lake Forest Survey Report. However, living in an esteemed community like Lake Forest demands that we hold ourselves to higher standards, even if that means nitpicking excellent results for continuous improvement.
One of the immediate concerns relates to incentivizing survey participation. While the logic behind using incentives to boost response rates is clear, it does introduce a potential source of bias. Specifically, could the use of incentives have attracted participants who might not have otherwise taken the survey? And does this skew the results in any particular direction?
The responses to Q2, regarding the most important city services, raised eyebrows. Parks and Trails ranked above Police in importance. While the significance of recreational areas can’t be understated, especially in a community-centric city, the order of priority prompts a question: Are we, as a community, placing a well-maintained park above safety considerations?
While the survey’s overall presentation provided a comprehensive view, the enthusiasm from the vendor about positive outcomes felt more promotional than analytical. A straightforward, neutral presentation might be more informative for the residents.
Notably, the public comments section brought up topics like pickleball and swimming pools, underlining the diversity of resident interests.
For future surveys, there’s a pressing need to segment results by ward. This approach would offer more granular data, helping residents evaluate the effectiveness of their specific alderman. Alongside, an annual, more concise survey should be introduced. Such regular checks would not only keep the community and elected officials in sync but also provide objective data for voters to make an informed decision come election time.
For a summarized perspective, you can explore our overview of the report. For a deep dive, access the full report here.