Farmland and Open Space Preservation Survey Results
In the July of 2007, the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Committee commissioned a
survey of town residents. Approximately 5,727 surveys were mailed to every property
owner in the Town. The survey was also available on-line and several places around town.
With 1,686 residents responding, the response rate to the survey was astounding. Normally surveys
result in a 5 to 10 percent response rate. The survey had a response rate of 29.4 percent or
nearly 1/3 of the town's households.
1. In your view, which best describes the character of the Town of Parma?
| Rural: |
1,022 |
60.6% |
| Agricultural: |
487 |
28.9% |
| Suburban: |
300 |
17.8% |
| Urban: |
9 |
0.5% |
2. Do you believe that it is important to preserve farmland and open space in Parma?
| Yes |
1,591 |
94.4% |
| No |
65 |
3.9% |
Please Rate the following based upon how important each item is to you (1-10)
| Avg Response |
| 3. Preserving Parma's rural character |
8.910 |
| 4. Preserving farmland and encourage local farming |
9.013 |
| 5. Preserving open space as defined above |
7.481 |
| 6. Community character to your quality of life |
9.078 |
| 7. Preserving local historic resources |
8.692 |
| 8. Preserving natural streams and watersheds |
8.579 |
| 9. Promote water-front access along Lake Ontario and town creeks |
9.423 |
| 10. Preserving natural habitats of migratory birds, plants and animals |
7.946 |
| 11. Preserving natural wetlands and woodlands |
9.144 |
| 12. Promote public active and passive recreational areas |
9.144 |
13. In your estimation, what percentage of the town is actively farmed today?
| 0 to 20: |
238 |
14.1% |
| 21 to 40: |
695 |
41.2% |
| 41 to 60: |
503 |
29.8% |
| 61 to 80: |
170 |
10.1% |
| 81 to 100: |
6 |
0.4% |
14. In your estimation, what percentage of the town is developed?
| 0 to 20: |
110 |
6.5% |
| 21 to 40: |
629 |
37.3% |
| 41 to 60: |
594 |
35.2% |
| 61 to 80: |
250 |
14.8% |
| 81 to 100: |
23 |
1.4% |
15. Do you support the town in efforts to preserve farmland and open space?
| Yes: |
1,584 |
94.0% |
| No: |
71 |
4.2% |
16. What is your age group?
| 18 to 25: |
16 |
0.9% |
| 26 to 35: |
93 |
5.5% |
| 36 to 45: |
298 |
17.7% |
| 46 to 65: |
865 |
51.3% |
| Over 65: |
390 |
23.1% |
"Without local farmland, there is no local food." (AFT) |
