COMPASS II-2.0 Quality of Life Key Findings

Quality of Life

Tompkins County is rich in natural beauty and has a vibrant arts community. With over 82 parks and natural areas, residents have access to an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Additionally, the county offers live theater, music, dance and museums in the local community and at Cornell and Ithaca College campuses and local public schools. Responses from both the resident and key informant surveys support the perception that Tompkins County provides a good quality of life for residents. Nearly 90% of residents agreed with the statement "My community is a good place to live."

Recreational Activities

Only one-third of residents indicated that a shortage of recreational activities was a critical problem in their community: however, almost 84% of residents agreed that there are public places where community members can get together. 31% of respondents said that the natural areas and beauty of the environment is the best thing about the community.

Significantly more rural residents (36.9%) than urban residents (28.0%) said a lack of recreational activities was a problem in their community.

About one-quarter of respondents indicated that not being able to afford recreational activities was a critical problem in their household. This is shown in the decrease amount of Tompkins County Ticket Center sales in 2008. Most frequent comments included lack of access to the lake, need for an affordable, indoor public swimming pool, transportation issues, and a need for more activities for teens.

In Tompkins County there are several opportunities for youth to have extra-curricular activities through the Intermunicipal Recreation Partnership and the Ithaca Youth Bureau.

Cultural Activities

Less than 20% of residents indicated that a lack of cultural activities was a critical problem in the county. Comments indicated that there are plenty of cultural activities, but cost and transportation issues can be a barrier to engagement. This is supported by a difference in response at the household level by income category. About 50% of residents with low income indicated a problem affording recreational activities and affording cultural activities. Rural residents were significantly more likely (23.7%) to indicate a lack of cultural activities was a critical problem than urban residents (13.3%).

Access to Technology

25% of residents and 30% of key informants said that access to technology is a critical problem. As with many of the other quality of life topic areas, access to technology is directly related to income level. Only 70% of low-income respondents have access to technology, compared to 93% of moderate income and 95% of high income respondents.

Age is also a relevant factor, with fewer respondents aged 60 and older having internet access. Free internet access available at each of Tompkins County’s public libraries was noted being used by 26% of respondents.

Significantly more rural residents (30.9%) said access to technology was a critical problem than urban residents (17.6%).

Assets

Community Engagement

Community engagement is a vital component of Tompkins County's quality of life. In the resident survey, 71% of respondents said that people work together to solve problems in their community, 64% said local policies support community improvement efforts and 83% said people in their community usually support efforts to make the community a better place. About 13% of respondents said that active participation by community members is the best thing about their community.

Volunteering

Tompkins County has a robust volunteering culture as evidenced by both survey responses and community information. 78% of residents agreed that people in their community generally volunteer for community projects. 55% said they personally volunteer regularly in their community at an average of 16 hours per month.

Individuals and groups volunteer in a variety of ways and through a wide-range of organizations. Volunteer Tompkins has provided a system to bring together volunteers and organizations needing assistance.

Ithaca College has been recognized three years in a row by the Corporation for National and Community Service for commitment to service learning and civic engagement. In 2009, a total of 1,800 Ithaca College students engaged in some type of community service, representing 21,326 service hours. Cornell University students also actively engage in volunteer activities in the county. The Cornell Public Service Center reports that 5,449 students provided 234,297 hours of both direct and indirect service during 2008-2009.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) invites adults age 55 and older to use their life experience and skills to address problems close to home. RSVP's 400 volunteers work in a variety of areas, including teaching children or adults to read, creating a wheelchair rehabilitation program, or providing much-needed support to non-profit agencies.

Cornell University's Public Service Center connects Cornell students, faculty, and alumni with community organizations and service opportunities. PSC supports over 50 service-learning courses, volunteer projects, student organizations, school programs, and related service-learning courses that work continually throughout the year to form community partnerships that exemplify the service-learning philosophy.

HSC's 2-1-1 Tompkins/Information and Referral Services provides a 24-hour phone and web access to volunteer opportunities in the Tompkins County area.

Cayuga Medical Center, Tompkins County Public Libraries, United Way of Tompkins County and many (if not all) non-profit organizations provide volunteer opportunities to Tompkins County residents.

Resources
Community Arts Partnership
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Ithaca Youth Bureau
Tompkins County Recreation Partnership
Visit Ithaca