EDU 394: Community Stakeholder Engagement

Children’s Agenda

Methods

• We were given anonymized data.
• We counted keywords in the data.
• We learned more about Chestertown and community needs around the state and country.
• We came up with 19 initial themes.
• We categorized 260 responses into the themes and sub-themes.
• The computer did it’s calculator magic.
• We will share the 5 top themes.

Top 5 Themes

2.

Transportation

1.

Housing

3.

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Commercial Access

5.

Recreation

Family and Community Culture

Defining the Need: The Data

• Average Monthly Rent in MD
• $1674
• Average Monthly Rent in Chestertown
• $1307
• Median Income in Chestertown
• $47,047
• 16% of Chestertown families live in poverty

Defining the Need: Canvassing Data

49 of the 260 respondents to the canvassing survey discussed issues surrounding housing and homelessness

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Of all of the respondents discussing housing issues 65% were concerned about issues related to affordability or availability

What We Heard:

Affordability

“I have empty places around me because people can’t afford it anymore. They were good neighbors who looked out for each other and the kids.”

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"We need more options that are more affordable because everything is too high."

What We Heard: Needing Homes

“...*** is needing a home right now for her and her two children… ” (Note: ***works full-time)

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"Also, there is no rule in the laws that you cannot have a tiny home here. But the commissioners don't want tiny homes."

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Possibilities: Housing Laws (Zoning)

Create more affordable family-friendly options that are mixed-income

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Create intergenerational density

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Allow for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and single-room occupancies (SROs)

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-(2023) Rethinking Zoning to Increase Affordable Housing, The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)

Possibilities: Examples

Garrett County: “River Hill” includes multiple housing choices for varied income levels along with a community center.

• Phase 1 is a 30 unit senior apartment building.
• Phase 2 is a complex of rent to own townhomes and apartments
• Phase 3 and beyond include “rustic” single family homes to blend into the river environment.

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2025 National Car Trends (caredge.com):

• Average price for a new car is around $48,000
• Average price for a used car is around $25,000

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Uber in Kent County:

• A bit expensive ($10-$25)
• Wait times can be long

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Defining the Need: Data

Out of 260 responses, 20% of respondents mentioned the theme of “Transportation”

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Of that 20%, about 62% of respondents discussed needing “Transit/Rides”

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Of that 20%, about 35% of respondents discussed the theme of “Walkability/bikeability/ADA”

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Defining the Need: Canvassing Results

“Especially need a ride to the food pantry”

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“They need walkable places for kids to go besides the library, or transportation to and from the community center”

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“Have to get a ride from a random person”

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“And not all of us have a car”

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What We Heard: Rides/Transit

“Transportation and jobs are so important here because people can’t commute to another location to work. Need the non-profits to convene and work together for the community. See where the gaps and overlaps are so we can use our minimal resources in the best way”

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“Maybe we need volunteers on the weekends. I’d volunteer to help kids kayak, no fees involved”

What We Heard:

Volunteers & Opportunities

Mass transit, such as bus services

However…

• Kent County is a low density area–transit companies avoid these areas because there are less people who need rides (Rural Health Information Hub)
• Less people=less tax payers
• Limited space
• Funding can be difficult because there are less tax payers

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Possibilities: Mass Transit

Creating a community rideshare program:

• Washington College has a service called “Safe Ride” that is highly effective
• A community rideshare program (“Shore Shuttle”?) could be powered by volunteers and/or people looking to make extra cash
• There could be a number people can call
• Free to use
• Could be a hangout where drivers who are on the clock can go and talk with one another and wait for calls
• Pre-existing place or build a new location

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Possibilities: Rideshare

Other rural communities have implemented rideshare programs, such as JAUNT:

• Runs out of Central Virginia
• “Provides curb-to-curb demand-response service” (ridejaunt.org)
• Make a reservation either using the phone number or sending an email to their email–both listed on their website
• “Reservations are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m” (ridejaunt.org)
• Fare-free
• Paid employees
• Take you to work, medical appointments, shopping trips, school, etc.

Possibilities: Models

JAUNT Homepage

ridejaunt.org

Other rural communities have implemented rideshare programs, such as Mason Transit Authority:

• Operates out of Washington state
• Mix of volunteers and paid employees
• Has a vanpooling option and “Dial-A-Ride” option
• Vanpooling is volunteer run and there is a small fee that the group has to pay
• “Dial-A-Ride” works similarly to JAUNT–it is fare free and there is a number to call to schedule a ride
• Can also schedule through the website and/or app
• However, “Dial-A-Ride” will only travel within Mason County

Possibilities: Models

Mason Transit Authority Homepage

masontransit.org

We have assets in our community to make rideshare work:

• People willing to volunteer their time
• College students could also be drivers–give back to the community
• People are looking for employment, so this could create more job opportunities
• Locals and college students know their way around the area and can find their way around
• Already have places where drivers could hangout

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Possibilities: Assets

Can start a version of a community rideshare program right now!

• People who want to volunteer their time who have cars and a clean driving record can place to hangout & wait for people who need rides
• Royal Farms, Wilmer Park, etc.
• Put a message in the Facebook group with available times for rides
• Find a way to provide free coffee to the drivers and maybe even the people who need a ride

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Possibilities: “Do Now”

34%

21%

12%

24%

Belonging

Parenting

Teenism

Racism

Defining Need: Canvassing Data

Out of 260 canvasing respondents, there were 82 occurrences 0f mentions of community family culture. By the numbers:

“Would like more activities for kids, but parents need to get involved.”

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"The dynamic between parents and children has shifted"

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"I feel like people got lazy after COVID, and now I don’t know how we get back together to take care of each other and our community."

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What We Heard: Parenting and Belonging

“ Just because there are fewer kids around here doesn’t mean they’re any less important. You have to be present, be someone they know cares”

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“Kids here get those looks—certain people just give them those looks.”

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“The people were so nice, but now they're nasty, the racism got louder"

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What We Heard: Teenism and Racism

• Create opportunities for teenagers to interact with the community through recreational events
• Community Kickball Game
• Opportunities for engagement at Kent County Public Library
• Tabletop game night

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Possibilities

• Promote community building through facilitated enrichment activities.
• Community Storytelling
• The Moth Model
• Mediated storytelling opportunities
• Share on WKHS
• Community Scavenger hunt

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Possibilities

Defining the Need: Local Data

There is shopping in uptown Chestertown (ex. ACME, Tractor Supply, JBK Hardware) but options are limited

There are currently ZERO locations in uptown Chestertown for commercial fun

Defining the Need: Canvassing Data

Of that 36%, 17 respondents mentioned shopping

Out of the 260 responses, 36% of respondents mentioned commercial access

Of that 36%, 76 respondents mentioned commercial activities

What We Heard: Activities

“Also, it’d be nice to have painting and drawing classes...”

“We need a mini golf place in Kent County! A place for people to hang - something fun to do.”

“I don't why they took this stuff away we had so much more in Chestertown when I was growing up. Bring back supervised arcade and game rooms.”

Possibilities: Multi-Use Commercial Hubs

Encourage the development of commercial spaces that combine multiple attractions under one roof

Maximizes use of space

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Increases profitability

Ex.

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In Oakland, MD they are planning a multi-million dollar expansion to their existing community center

Possibilities: Pop-Up Recreational Services

Create traveling or seasonal recreation setups that can rotate through neighborhoods

Spreads entertainment access without needing full-time infrastructure

Mobile arcade, pop-up trampoline park, video game trucks, laser tag, etc.

Ex.

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Games2U is a mobile entertainment company that could be funded locally or franchised in Kent County

Possibilities: “Agri-tainment” Park

Establish a seasonal, ticketed attraction combining outdoor fun with effective & profitable use of farmland

Partner with a local farm to create a ticket-based, seasonal attraction while supporting local vendors

Could include: corn maze, petting zoo, hayrides, farm store, games

Ex.

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Butlers Orchard (Germantown, Md)

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Adklns Arboretum (Ridgley, MD)

Defining the Need: Canvassing Results

86% of respondents highlighted recreation

53% of respondents highlighted the need for improved or more recreational spaces

Recreation Space

• 17% of those respondents discussed indoor recreation space
• 39% talked about outdoor space
• 42% highlighted hybrid indoor/outdoor space

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32% of interviewees signaled that structured recreational activities were important

• 28% of those respondents talked about athletic opportunities.
• 69% highlighted enrichment
• 2% discussed summer daycare

In sum, based on the data, recreation was a clear priority and we should prioritize enrichment opportunities in hybrid indoor/outdoor spaces

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Defining the Need: Canvassing Data

Several people discussed wanting a…

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• Bowling alley…reminiscing on the old times
• Game space for kids
• Roller/skating rink

What We Heard:

Common Requests

• "There used to be arcades. Even if kids were playing video games, at least they were outside with people—a gathering place. Kids need the opportunity to walk outside their house."
• "When I was younger, the carnival used to come to the Acme Plaza. There was a big fight, and it never returned after that. "
• “We need more places for young people to hang out…it can get a little boring in the country. We have parks, playgrounds. Maybe something musical, I do music production myself. Arts and crafts.”
• "I wish we had a skate park. My brother and I rollerblade & skateboard, but we always have to go to another town. More family friendly activities here in Chestertown."

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What We Heard:

• A regularly occurring kickball game at Garnet Elementary
• Retrofit a bowling alley (this could even start as a mobile outdoor bowling lane)
• More indoor and outdoor enrichment opportunities

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Possibilities

THANK YOU!