When the Indian Mills Brownie Girl Scout Troop 24713 asked itself what it might like to see in the Shamong Township community, it agreed upon one thing; a community center.
So as part of the Take Action badge initiative, which encourages the girls to speak up on what is important to them, the troop decided to take action by creating a public survey on Facebook.
Over the past few weeks, the troop surveyed more than 300 residents inquiring about a new community center to be built in the area. And just last week, the survey reached all the way to the township committee.
“It gives the girls the opportunity to stand up in front of their local government,” said Troop Leader Melissa Durham.
Some 81 Shamong Township households responded to the Facebook survey representing 326 community members. Of the 81 responses, 83 percent reported they would like to see a community center developed in the town.
Six potential activities for the center were included in the survey to capture community interest. Community events – such as holiday celebrations – and youth recreation – such as movie nights and indoor games – both rated among the highest, at over 82 percent. Rental options for special events – such as birthday parties, showers and nonprofit fundraisers – listed at 81 percent. Sporting events – such as indoor basketball, lacrosse practice, etc. – rounded at 67 percent. Senior activities – such as bingo and educational seminars – received 48 percent.
In addition, the survey asked community members to leave additional comments about their opinion of the project, which were also presented to the board. Some of the remarks from community members in favor of the project included an inquiry for a swimming pool, a suggestion to have the center privately built and maintained and a statement explaining that the center would make the town more desirable for potential buyers.
Some of the statements that were not in favor of the project mentioned that it would be an unnecessary luxury, that it would cost residents more in taxes and that the town already has enough forests and outdoor activities.
The troop also presented a list of comments from residents that reflected other possibilities for the center. Some of those include:
- arts, crafts, cooking, exercise classes for all ages
- adult rec games like volleyball or basketball
- community pool with membership
- a parking lot big enough for a car show similar to Johnson’s Farm with food trucks
- volunteer group meetings such as Scouts, historical society, seniors, Pinelands CERT
- adult nights, such as painting parties
- emergency sheltering, warming, cooling, powering location
The committee members stated the idea for a community center had been something they discussed in the past, but had not come to any defining conclusions or proposals.
With a population of 6,490 in Shamong, according to the most recent available data, the committee asked the troop to continue the survey with a goal of reaching 1,000 residents. To reach this number, the committee agreed to put the troop’s survey on the township’s website, www.shamong.net.
The survey is expected to be on the website by May 16, according to the township, and will close at noon on July 1.
