
Feature Story
October 2016
Americans Support Increased Local Funding for Parks & Rec
Americans' support for local parks and recreation is strong, with a majority of Americans agreeing that parks and recreation are important services delivered by local government, and that funding for local parks and recreation agencies should be increased.
This, from a recent report issued by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), which highlights the Americans' Engagement With Parks Survey. To better understand Americans' use of local park and recreation facilities, and their willingness to fund these resources, NRPA issued a survey to 1,000 Americans 18 and older.
Some of the findings include:
- On average, Americans visit their local park and recreation facilities approximately 29 times per year, with millennials and parents frequenting parks the most.
- Nine in 10 Americans agree that parks and recreation are important services delivered by their local government.
- Three in four Americans agree that NRPA's three pillars of conservation, health and wellness, and social equity represent what they see as priorities for their local park and recreation agency.
- Seven in 10 Americans say they are more likely to vote for local politicians who make park and recreation funding a priority.
- Three-quarters of Americans support increased local government spending for park and recreation agencies, with solid support for a nearly 30 percent local government funding increase for parks and recreation.
Americans' support for public parks and recreation is well established. A report released earlier this year found that Americans almost unanimously agree that their communities benefit from their local public parks, even if they themselves are not regular park users. The report also showed that support for local parks is widespread, spanning different age groups, income strata, household types and political affiliations.
The survey results provide key insights on the importance of parks that park professionals can use to help increase buy-in for budgets and other initiatives in their communities.
For more information, visit www.nrpa.org.
Recent Rec Report Feature Stories
High School Sports Participation Up for 27th Consecutive Year - October 2016
National Park Service Celebrates 100 Years of Successful Partnerships - October 2016
Study Shows High Obesity Rates Among Student Athletes - September 2016
Forest Service Celebrates 100-Year-Old Campground - September 2016
Study Shows Artificial Turf Composition Influences Injury Prevention - September 2016
Study Shows Artificial Turf Composition Influences Injury Prevention - August 2016
Council Announces Release of Second Edition of Model Aquatic Health Code - August 2016
Study Finds Seniors, Women Less Likely to Use Parks - August 2016
Level Up Your Park With Pokémon Go - August 2016
Research Shows Light Pollution's Impact on Night Sky - July 2016
Trail-Oriented Development Eases Congestion, Encourages Activity - July 2016
Nonprofits Aim to Boost Inclusive Fitness Opportunities - July 2016
Research Shows Benefits of Nature for Older Adults - June 2016
Destination Play Comes to Draper, Utah - June 2016
New Report Breaks Down the Data on City Parks - June 2016
Virtual Reality, Immersion & Interaction Lead Amusement Park Trends in 2016 - June 2016
National Leaders Team Up to Promote Physical Activity Plan - May 2016
Growing Economic Confidence Means More Visitors for Attractions Industry - May 2016
SHAPE America Recognizes Just Dance School of the Year - May 2016
Surgeon General Visits Gregory Gym in Austin - May 2016
Are States Dropping the Ball on Keeping Kids Active? - April 2016
U.S. Masters Swimming Campaigns to Reduce Adult Drowning - April 2016
Grants for Urban Outdoor Recreation Available - April 2016
Physical Education Program Grant Competition Opens - April 2016
Nature Play Comes to Wildwood - March 2016
Miracle Swimming Opens First Pool Dedicated to Those With Water Fears - March 2016
Managing Concussion Risk: Communities Switch From Contact to Flag Football - March 2016
Gallup Study Looks at Long-Term Well-Being of Former Student Athletes - March 2016
Purdue University Simplifies & Boosts Security - February 2016
Fitness Fosters Better Mental Health - February 2016
Restricting Diving May Have Little to Do With Preventing Injury, Study Says - February 2016
National Parks Work to Protect Bats and Their Habitats - February 2016
USTA Helps Communities Boost Tennis Participation - February 2016
Organizations Aim to Clarify Dangers of Hypoxic Blackout - January 2016
NRPA Receives Grant to Celebrate Those Advancing Health Equity - January 2016
Expanding Education on Concussion in Sports - January 2016
Omnibus Budget Boosts Funding for National Parks, Extends LWCF - January 2016
NRPA Study Shows Local Parks Have Significant Economic Impact in All 50 States - December 2015
ACA to Launch Training for Camps Serving Youth With Chronic Illness - November 2015
ACSM, PRIVIT Aim to Promote Athlete Health & Safety - November 2015
Veterans Earn Scholarships Toward Fitness Careers - November 2015
Pediatricians Tackle Youth Football Injuries - October 2015
2015 State of Obesity Report Suggests Policies for Improving Health - October 2015