Community survey results reflected an overall sense of a high quality of life, but also growing doubt about Park City’s direction in late 2022 and early 2023 as the pandemic wore on, real estate prices soared and rental markets priced many out while the tourism industry brought large crowds and traffic to the city during a surprising economic boon.City leaders will soon see if their work addressing the lowest score in overall direction of Park City since the National Community Survey began being taken here has borne fruit. “It gives us a benchmark we can return back to,” Mayor Nann Worel said, describing the survey as an opportunity for the municipal government to “take the pulse of the community.”The 41% rating of the overall direction as excellent or good was the lowest over the course of five readings dating to 2011. The figure had dropped 29 percentage points from the 70% tallied in 2011.The question is one of dozens asked in the National Community Survey, but it was seen as having broad importance since in some ways it encompassed the entirety of the work plan at City Hall.The city got high marks from residents, as well, among those safety, overall economic health and overall quality of life. The next National Community Survey is underway. City Hall has posted a link to the survey on the municipal website, parkcity.org. The survey will close Jan. 8. An inquiry about the overall direction of Park City is again included, with possible answers ranging from excellent to poor with an option of “Don’t know” available as well. The National Community Survey also covers numerous topics that City Hall regularly addresses, including transportation, the economy, public safety and growth.Worel did not predict whether the question regarding the overall direction of Park City will show further erosion, but said leaders would want to attempt to learn what would be the reasoning behind another drop should one occur. The mayor said she is receiving input from the community that the “waters are calming” after the worst of the pandemic.“I think people are getting back to their normal lives,” she said.Worel said the survey is another way to increase the accessibility of City Hall, alongside mayoral office hours and a program that brings elected officials into neighborhoods for gatherings with residents.Traffic slows along the S.R. 248 entryway during a morning commute in February. The National Community Survey that is underway includes questions related to traffic and transportation. Credit: Park Record file photo by David JacksonThe National Community Survey is being taken at an intriguing time for Park City. The community exited the worst of the pandemic with economic strength, but long-running issues have seemed to return to the forefront of the public discourse. There is continuing concern about growth and the various subjects it influences, such as affordability, traffic and housing availability. The awarding of the 2034 Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City, with Park City having a key role in the plans, meanwhile, occurred since the last time the National Community Survey was administered.The survey is also timed at the beginning of an important political year in Park City. The mayor’s office and two seats on the City Council are on the November ballot. It is not clear when the National Community Survey results will be released, but the City Hall election will stretch through much of the second half of the year. Some of the topics addressed in the National Community Survey:The overall quality of life in Park City. The results slipped 10 percentage points between 2011 and 2022 but remained high, with 88% providing an excellent or good rating. The overall economic health of the community. The results reached 88% excellent or good rating in 2022, the highest in four surveys dating to 2013. The overall feeling of safety. The results in 2022 were 95% excellent or good, in the range of four surveys starting in 2013. The cost of living in Park City. The 2022 results showed a 12% excellent or good rating, the lowest of four surveys starting in 2013. The traffic flow on major streets. The results in 2022 slipped to 25% excellent or good, the lowest of five surveys since 2011. The availability of affordable quality housing. The survey in 2022 resulted in a 13% excellent or good rating, the lowest of five surveys dating to 2011.The 2022 National Community Survey also showed high marks for cleanliness, services at the public library, the overall quality of the transportation system, and Park City as a place to visit.A link to the information about the National Community Survey is available on the front page of the City Hall website, parkcity.org. The direct link to the information is: parkcity.org/Home/Components/News/News/46427/23.The post Park City surveys community two years after last poll reflected high quality of life, concern about the city’s direction appeared first on Park Record.