Parks & Recreation
A Look at Trends in Parks & Recreation
Programming
The most common programs found in parks and recreation respondents' facilities include: holiday events and other special events (78.5 percent of those who offer any programs); youth sports teams (70 percent); day camps and summer camps (66.7 percent); arts and crafts (63.6 percent); educational programs (62.8 percent); adult sports teams (62.1 percent); programs for active older adults (57.1 percent); sports tournaments and races (57 percent); fitness programs (56 percent); and festivals and concerts (55.2 percent).
This represents little change from last year's response, with slightly fewer respondents offering all of these types of programming, with the exception of youth sports teams (offered by 69.9 percent last year).
Slightly more parks respondents in 2012 reported that they had plans to add programs at their facilities over the next three years. In 2011, 34.2 percent of parks respondents had such plans. This number increased to 36.3 percent in 2012. The most commonly planned programs include:
- Environmental education (up from No. 2 on last year's survey)
- Teen programming (down from No. 1)
- Fitness programs (no change)
- Programs for active older adults (no change)
- Educational programming (up from No. 6)
- Mind-body/balance programs such as yoga, tai chi, Pilates or martial arts (down from No. 5)
- Holiday events & other special events (no change)
- Adult sports teams (up from No. 10)
- Performing arts such as dance, theater and music (down from No. 8)
- Day camps and summer camps (did not appear on last year's list of top 10 planned programs)
Falling off the list from last year were special needs programs, while environmental education continued its rise from the third most commonly planned program in 2010.
Funding for Urban Parks
Do you know how much of a difference parks can make in urban areas?
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Urban Institute released a study earlier this year titled, "Financing the Future: The Critical Role of Parks in Urban and Metropolitan Infrastructure." The report, written by noted author and urban planner William Fulton, analyzed discussion from a roundtable of national experts that included park directors, mayors and urban planners exploring the role and impact of parks and recreation in cities, counties and urban metropolitan areas as they continue to face financial constraints.
Urban parks are a critical part of urban green infrastructure, providing benefits, such as restorative green space, stormwater management, alternative transportation corridors and more. People living in urban areas count on parks and recreation to improve their quality of life as well as public health and safety.
"Residents of American cities depend on their parks and playgrounds for recreation, socializing and exercise," said Rolf Pendall, director of the Urban Institute's Metropolitan Housing and Community Policies Center. "Parks also contribute to environmental quality and even reduce risks from natural hazards. But like roads, bridges, schools and other infrastructure, parks suffer from underinvestment. Local officials and the public need better research to identify the benefits and costs of robust park systems and of different ways to finance them."
As cities, urban counties and metropolitan areas look toward sustainable development and improving quality of life, future research and discussion will be needed to ensure funding for parks and recreation services is maintained under long-term fiscal constraints.
Learn more about this report at www.nrpa.org/roundtable.