PUBLIC SECTOR AGENCIES

PARK DISTRICTS AND FOREST PRESERVE/CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
aQity Research & Insights takes a more customized approach with these agencies than other providers because we work hard to determine each district’s unique issues, goals and population. We focus on providing representative and accurate results from the entire community, including non-visitors and non-participants in District programs (key groups to understand for sustained growth and support).

We are experts on several research strategies, including:
  • Attitudes and Interest Surveys and Needs Assessments to help inform strategic planning efforts.
  • Valid benchmarks on key metrics from comparable nearby districts.
  • Willingness-to-pay questions.
  • Overall perceived value assessment of the District.
  • Service gaps and opportunities for recreational programs and facilities.
PUBLIC SECTOR CASE STUDY
We undertook our first public-sector survey in 1993 for a large forest preserve district in Illinois. It had sought (and lost) previous referenda to acquire and protect open space and natural habitats in a county experiencing rapid growth and development. It hired our staff, then Richard Day Research, because of our election survey experience. This first survey introduced a new research approach. Our analysis and insights helped the district pass its first referendum to buy and protect environmentally important land. We followed up with additional surveys that helped the district pass three more referenda over the next 15 years. Overall, these efforts generated more than $350 million in new revenue to buy and protect thousands of acres of prairieland, woodlands, animal habitats, waterways, and other natural areas from development.
OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCIES
We have conducted market research on behalf of local and state government agencies to assess issues. This research helped guide and improve communications campaigns and helped assess changes in attitudes and behaviors arising from major new developments.
  • Several K-12 school districts and community colleges (referenda surveys).
  • Illinois Department of Public Health (surveys and focus groups of targeted populations regarding HIV/AIDS to help inform public service information campaigns).
  • Illinois Department of Transportation (focus groups and surveys with commercial and commuter users of major highways undergoing long-term reconstruction, to assess the effectiveness of communications campaigns regarding the timing of the project and re-routing options).
  • A joint study sponsored by a Chicago-area forest preserve and a State transportation agency. The  year-long study involved conducting face-to-face exit interviews with visitors to several local forest preserve facilities as a baseline usage survey, to establish initial perceptions, attitudes and behaviors and to establish monitoring protocols and methodologies to determine impacts of a proposed nearby commercial airport.