AKRON, Ohio - Akron's Recreation Bureau plans to make aquatic programming a priority based on survey findings made public Monday at a City Council committee hearing.

In response to the "community needs" survey, the bureau also intends to develop ways to use the city's swimming pools to their highest potential.

Here are some of the other survey findings:

social media is the favored channel of communication.

events and aquatics rated highly across all demographics.

the bureau's offerings are perceived as affordable, fun and safe.

perceptions of the bureau's services differed based on the respondents' location.

women are more aware of the bureau's services than men.

The bureau's Connection Team conducted the survey last year between July and September, reaching 1,500 households and including more than 3,100 people.

The findings enable the city to create a new mission for the bureau, and develop strategies that will be rolled out over five years. An executive summary of the findings is below.

Over the first year, the city plans to roll out an "organizational reset" with a branding and awareness campaign and a new logo, officials said.

Mayor Dan Horrigan presented a surprise proclamation making Monday, Jan. 14 Akron Recreation Bureau Connection Team Day.

Horrigan said he was honoring the team members for having undertaken the "arduous task" of creating the first survey of the parks since 1969, when then-Mayor John Ballard requested a survey in response to civil unrest.

"The Connection team successfully completed its mission to gather opinions to better create fun, meaningful experiences and relationships that foster growth and connectedness with our diverse neighborhoods to celebrate the city's great potential," the proclamation states.

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