RecReport Research

Featuring tidbits of data pulled from the State of the Industry and Aquatic Trends survey results to expand on the initial reporting and dig deeper into industry trends, this research is published weekly in the RecReport e-newsletter.

Camps, Parks Most Likely to Have Trails

While less than half (46.4%) of all respondents to the Industry Report survey in 2023 said they currently include walking and hiking trails at their facilities, more than seven out of 10 respondents from camps (76.4%) and parks (71.2%) said they currently include walking and hiking trails.

Youth Sports Most Common at Schools, Ys

Respondents to the Industry Report survey from schools and Ys were the most likely to offer youth sports programming at their facilities, while those from health clubs were the most likely to be planning to add this type of programming over the next few years.

Health Clubs Optimistic About Membership Growth

After a couple of rough years, when health club respondents saw the usage of their facilities decrease dramatically as the coronavirus pandemic led to shutdowns, 2022 showed things beginning to get back to business as usual.

Who's Hiring? Parks and Ys

Around one-third (32.6%) of respondents to the Industry Report survey last year said they had plans to add staff in 2023. Another 65.6% said they were planning no changes to their staffing levels, and 1.8% had plans to reduce staff.

Parks, Ys Most Engaged in Active Aging

Respondents to the Industry Report survey from parks and Ys were the most likely to currently provide programs for active older adults, while parks were the most likely to be planning to add such programs.

Most Commonly Planned Sports Addition? Synthetic Turf Fields

The most common type of sports-related amenity currently included in the facilities of respondents to the Industry Report survey is outdoor sports courts, such as basketball, tennis and the ever-more-popular pickleball courts. More than half (55.7%) of respondents said they currently have outdoor sports courts at their facilities.