The document presents the results of a resident survey conducted in Coal Valley. It covers various aspects of community life, including demographics, communication preferences, satisfaction with local amenities, opinions on development and traffic, and suggestions for improvements.
Resident Demographics and Newsletter Subscription
The survey gathered information on how long residents have lived in Coal Valley, with the largest group having lived for under 10 years (116 respondents), followed by the 65+ age group, which was the most represented (219 respondents). Business respondents numbered (1).
Regarding community communication, 209 residents subscribe to the Village Newsletter, while 304 do not. Additionally, 170 residents expressed interest in signing up for a free newsletter email. The primary sources for receiving updates about the village include Facebook (277 respondents), word of mouth (221), and the Village Newsletter (199).
Parks and Recreational Facilities
Resident satisfaction with parks and recreational facilities varies: 174 are very satisfied, 142 are somewhat satisfied, 174 are neutral, and 72 are either somewhat or very dissatisfied. Desired improvements include walking and biking trails (282), community gardens (107), lighting and security features (79), picnic shelters (74), and sports fields or courts (61). Recent upgrades at Municipal Park feature playground and lighting enhancements, with new swings and pickleball courts planned.
There is support for a dog park: 300 residents support the idea and 78 say they would personally use it; however, 181 oppose it. Regarding backyard chickens, 239 favor allowing them with restrictions, 43 favor allowing them freely, and 271 oppose.
Community Events
The importance of a large community event, such as the 4th of July “Boom Bash,” is recognized, with 262 residents rating it as important or very important. Popular features for such events include fireworks (369), food trucks or vendors (340), live music or bands (299), children’s games (240), parades (231), and local business booths (230).
Development Preferences
Residents favor light commercial development such as shops and restaurants (415), senior housing or assisted living (191), and mixed-use retail/residential (164). Fewer support residential infill or new housing (103), and 42 prefer no new development to maintain the current footprint.
Traffic Conditions and Infrastructure Concerns
Traffic conditions are generally rated positively: 291 rate them as good and 149 as excellent, with fewer rating them as fair, poor, or very poor. Planned infrastructure improvements include resurfacing 1st Street from Route 6 to Route 150 in 2027, which will enhance sidewalks, crosswalks, curb and gutter, paint, and signage.
Specific safety and visibility concerns are raised for intersections on Route 6 (e.g., congestion near Fareway, dangerous pull-offs at E 4th, 5th, and 6th Streets), 1st Street (school traffic, need for traffic lights and better drainage), and Route 150 (hazardous turns, poor visibility). Speeding is a notable issue across multiple residential roads and intersections, including 1st Street, E 5th Street, and E 17th Avenue. Other miscellaneous concerns include requests for more police patrols, crosswalks near schools, parking regulations, street repairs, and improved visibility at parks.
Improved crosswalk visibility with flashing lights could encourage children attending Bicentennial Elementary School to walk or bike to school, with 86 respondents affirming their willingness to do so under such conditions.
Golf Carts and Other Vehicles
Opinions on allowing golf carts on village streets are mixed: 167 strongly support continued allowance, 112 support with stricter enforcement, 119 are neutral, and 130 oppose to some degree. Concerns include noise, speeding, children driving, inadequate enforcement of registration requirements, and safety features such as lighting.
ATVs, snowmobiles, and electric bikes also raise safety and noise concerns, with calls for regulation or prohibition on village streets.
Suggestions for Quality-of-Life Improvements
Residents provided various suggestions to enhance the quality of life, grouped by theme:
Parks, Streets, and Sidewalks
- New band shelter and handicapped-accessible playground equipment.
- Maintaining tennis courts and adding skate rinks, mini golf, and swimming pools.
- Better Park maintenance and lighting, bathroom doors, bike racks, and dredging creeks.
- Improved snow removal and more benches and residential streetlights.
- Additional sidewalks in neighborhoods and along major routes, with better maintenance.
- Tree trimming and beautification efforts, such as flower baskets on Route 6.
Golf Carts
- Calls for better safety enforcement, addressing speeding and noisy carts, and concerns about children driving and adult drinking while driving golf carts.
Water Quality and Services
- Requests for better water filtration, higher water pressure, and use of Moline water.
- Complaints about smelly or black water and high bills.
Ordinances and Enforcement
- Concerns about poor yard upkeep, campers and boats in yards, parking of commercial trucks, and enforcement of building codes and garbage can placement.
- Calls for more police patrols, enforcement of dog leash laws, and noise control near Valley Meats.
Community Events and Other Suggestions
- Requests for more community events, farmers’ markets, Christmas tree lighting, holiday decorations, and better advertising of events.
- Suggestions for free community rooms and better newsletter distribution to those without computers.
- Calls for bus service, athletic centers, better internet and cell service, and opposition to further annexations or developments.
This comprehensive survey reflects the community’s diverse views and priorities regarding living conditions, development, safety, and community engagement in Coal Valley. The data provides valuable insights into village planning and decision-making processes to enhance resident satisfaction and quality of life.