Final Presentation
10/7/2025
Santa Maria: Leisure Needs and Public Art Assessment
2 Introductions
Project Purpose and Goals
Project Approach
Public Engagement
Recreation Program Assessment
Goals and Objectives
Public Art Action Plan Update
Next Steps
Agenda
3 Purpose of the Planning Process
Update the 2019– Leisure Needs and Public Art
Assessment
Conduct a robust public engagement
Update Goals, Objectives , and Action Steps
4 1| Data Collection
• Project Kick-off
• Confirm goals
• Develop Work Plan
• Facilitate Kickoff Meeting
• Demographics Analysis
2 | Engagement
• Develop Strategy
• Social Pinpoint site
• Engage staff
• Focus Groups
• Leadership Interviews
• Engagement Summary
3| Analysis
• Recreation Program
Assessment
• Trends Analysis
• Review Public Art
Master Plan
• Financial Review
4| Action Plan
• Finding Presentation
• Action Plan and
Implementation
Strategies Workshop
• Draft Leisure Services
Assessment update
• Draft Public Art Master
Plan update
5| Public
Presentation and
Final Report
• Public presentation and
feedback
• Final Leisure Services
Assessment update
• Final Public Art Master
Plan update
Highlights of Project Phases
5 Project Timeline
Initial Project Planning
Sept
Analysis, Engagement Planning,
and Internal Engagement
Oct - Dec
Community Engagement
Jan.- Mar.
Assessments and Findings
Apr. - May
Visioning, Draft and Final Plan
Jun. – Oct.
6 Demographic Profile
Population Change 2000 - 2030
112,208
447,132
279,337
111,646
444,896
277,940
-
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
500,000
City of Santa Maria Santa Barbara County San Luis Obispo County 2025 2030
Age Distribution 2025
7 Local Recreational Trends
Adult Fitness Activities 2024
Adult Sports Activities 2024
8 National Participation by Selected Activities
2023 Participation (Millions) Five-Year Growth
(2018 - 2023)
TEAM SPORTS
Basketball 29.7 M +4.3%
Baseball 16.6 M +1.0%
Football (Flag) 7.2 M +2.0%
Lacrosse 1.9 M -1.0%
Soccer (Outdoor) 14 M +4.3%
Softball (Fast-Pitch) 2.3 M +0.9%
Swimming on a Team 3.3 M +2.1%
Volleyball (Court) 6.9 M +2.3%
RAQUET SPORTS
Tennis 23.8 M +6.3%
Pickleball 13.5 M +35.7%
AEROBIC EXERCISE
Running/Jogging 48.3 M -0.5%
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES
Skateboarding 8.9 M +7.3%
Trail Running 14.8 M +8.3%
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Bicycling (Mountain/Non-Paved Surface) 9.2 M +1.4%
Bicycling (Road/Paved Surface) 42.2 M +1.8%
9 In Person Engagements
Public
Workshops
16 Leadership
Interviews
6 Focus
Groups
44 Staff
SWOT
19 10
Leadership Interview Findings
11 Focus Group Findings
12 Focus Group - continued
13 Workshop Findings
14 Social Pinpoint
15 Social Pinpoint Survey Responses
Top three highest priorities of programs, activities and services
16 Social Pinpoint Survey Responses
How important is availability of local recreation programs, activities, and services?
17 Social Pinpoint Budget Prioritization
A total of 180 responses were received, resulting in a combined budget allocation of $17,077. The budget prioritization indicates a strong focus on expanding youth and teen programs ($4,645), followed by support for cultural activities ($3,310) and an outdoor entertainment venue ($2,944).
18 Social Pinpoint Interactive Map
19 Social Pinpoint Summary Conclusions
Extensive community
feedback from over 1,300
individual contributions
Outdoor activities, teen
programs, and youth sports
emerged as having the
highest participation
Adult activities and youth
sports were rated as the
highest programmatic
priorities
Most respondents
emphasized the importance
of local recreation
programs, with 74% stating
they are either “important”
or “very important” to their
families
Strong support for
expanding recreational
programming across all age
groups, with particular focus
on creating more inclusive,
accessible, and culturally
enriching experiences
Improved and modernized
outdoor spaces, more
diverse youth and teen
activities, family friendly
programs, and better
aquatics access
The budget prioritization
tool’s highest virtual
investments going toward
youth/teen programs and
outdoor entertainment
venues
20 Recreation Program Assessment
The goal of the Recreation Program Assessment is to guide the delivery of programs and services that contribute to the local community with the opportunity to enhance regional programming by:
• A systematic program analysis, assessment, and evaluation process that will guide staff as they navigate current programming efforts and future needs.
• Identification of program categories, programming gaps, and future program considerations. • Guidance in determining the most effective/efficient programs and the delivery of those programs.
The data used to conduct this assessment included participation data, focus group and stakeholder interviews, and an open online survey. Internal meetings were held with Department staff and key leadership to provide insight into existing programs for the analysis and service recommendations. 21 Program Opportunities
• Expand Pre-School Programs: Introduce dedicated programs for children under age 5 to engage in activities suited to their developmental stage with parental involvement.
• Promote Inclusive Events: Increase the variety and accessibility of events for all age groups, working to ensure broad participation and engagement across different interests.
• Balance Offerings for Teens: Work to ensure sufficient program opportunities for teens, while maintaining a strong focus on outdoor social and challenge programs or events.
• Evaluate Program Effectiveness: Regularly assess program impact and participation to help ensure they meet the needs of the community and adjust as necessary.
22 City Core Program Areas
Core Program Area Pre-school
<5
Elementary
Ages 6-12
Teens
Ages 13
– 17
Adults
Ages 18+
Seniors
Ages 55+
All Age
Programs
Community Activities P
Active Living Sr 50+ P
Adult Programs 18+ P S
Aquatics P
Youth Sports P P
Adult Sports P P
Youth & Teen P P
Los Flores
Ranch/Outdoor Rec. P
Each program area’s focus is categorized as either Primary (noted with a “P”) or secondary (noted with a “S”).
23 Cost Recovery Tier Distribution
Tier 1 Full community benefit with highest subsidy
Tier 5 Primarily an individual benefit with low to no subsidy 24 25
Goals and Objectives
The following goals were identified for the City to focus on:
1.Continue to Improve Organizational Efficiencies
2.Improve and Enhance Programming and Service Delivery
3.Invest in Current and New Amenities to Increase Programming and Service Delivery
4.Improve Financial Sustainability
26 27
28 29
30 Public Art Master Plan - update
31 Public Art Master Plan - Survey
Somewhat Familiar
31%
Familiar
22%
Unfamiliar
19%
Very Familiar
17%
Not at all Familiar
11%
How familiar are you with public art in Santa Maria?
70% of respondents are familiar with the public art
program
32 Public Art Master Plan - Survey
Definitely Would Support
37%
Would Support
34%
Neutral
25%
Would Not Support
3% Definitely Would Not Support
1%
To what degree would you support additional areas of
display for public art in Santa Maria
71% of respondents support additional public art
33 Engagement Priorities
What do you think the Departments’ priorities should be for leisure services moving forward over the next 5 years?
• Enhance public art
• Dedicate part of enterprise funding to go to public art • Negotiate with developers to install public art
• Fostering community identity through large-scale events, arts, and partnerships will strengthen local pride and engagement
34 2019 Public Art Master Plan Goals
• Use public art to support Santa Maria’s identity, intertwining culture, people, neighborhoods and ideas to create a memorable urban landscape that respects the past and builds for the future.
Goal 1
• Embrace public art as a citywide beautification effort. Facilitate public art and public art partnerships with City Departments, private developers, and arts and cultural organizations.
Goal 2
• Celebrate Santa Maria’s unique entries to downtown and its neighborhoods— such as the Carriage District, freeway entrances, overpasses and off ramps—by enhancing (or continuing to enhance) the work of artists.
Goal 3
• Employ public art to encourage a more walkable city.
Goal 4
• Commission public art that emphasizes parks and neighborhoods.
Goal 5
•Create a Public Art in Private Development Program to more actively contribute to Santa Maria’s cultural and economic health.
Goal 6
• Support temporary artwork installations and performance-based arts events in areas with strong pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Goal 7
Open Q&A