Gloucester County Parks, Recreation and Tourism has contracted with GreenPlay, a consulting company, to conduct surveys to help identify recreational wants and needs for the community.

Katey Legg, recreation superintendent, said that PRT staff, along with Park Partners, conducted a survey in 2008. However, Legg said staff decided such an effort was too time-consuming and brought in an outside consultant this time to provide an updated planning vision.

Legg said the surveys will provide information about what is being done right and what might need improvement. Before the surveys began in late January, she said, about a half-dozen focus groups were held recently to gather input.

Among some of the items identified as needs were a public swimming pool, a community center, more walking/bike/equestrian trials, and better connectivity of existing trails.

GreenPlay will create a representative sampling of county residents, Legg said, and she was not certain how many people will be asked t...