HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After three days of meetings with various officials, business leaders and the public, Hutch Rec is ready to send out a survey to gather more insight on what the public wants from the recreation organization.

According to Tony Finlay with Hutch Rec, the surveys will be going out in the mail sometime this week. The survey can be done on paper and mailed back, or it can be done online with special instructions enclosed in the mailing.

The study is being done by a company called Green Play. The information will steer the city’s parks department and Hutch Rec in a direction that is best for the future. The study is being funded through a grant.

Finlay says a second survey will be sent out online in the coming weeks so everyone can participate. Green Play hopes to be back in Hutchinson in early spring with suggestions. The company will then follow up with a final draft for the city and Hutch Rec to consider by late spring.

Finlay stresses that the study is not just for finding recreational opportunities, it’s also to find ways to make Hutchinson residents healthier. Hutch Rec and the city hope the findings of the study will go toward finding better ways and opportunities to make the city’s population healthier.

The grant to fund the study comes from Blue Cross and Blue Shield.