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Ashburn,
VA – September 2020 / Newsmaker Alert / A large majority of U.S. adults
(82 percent) believe that parks and recreation is essential, according
to a newly released report from the National
Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The report shows the public’s
affinity toward their local parks and recreation is strong, with U.S. residents
visiting local park and recreation facilities more than twice a month on
average.
|
 The
2020
Engagement with Parks Report, based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults
ages 18+, also found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, parks and recreation
has been a vital respite for people. Three in five U.S. residents — more
than 190 million people — visited a park, trail, public open space or other
recreation facility at least once during the first three months of the
pandemic, and over half of U.S. residents maintained or increased park,
trail and open space usage during those same months.
Other
key highlights from the report include:
-
Seventy-two
percent of U.S. adults are more likely to vote for local political leaders
who make park and recreation funding a priority
-
Seventy-seven
percent of U.S. adults consider having a high-quality park, playground,
public open space or recreation center nearby an important factor in deciding
where they want to live
“People
value the essential work performed by park and recreation professionals
and their agencies,” said Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of NRPA.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that parks and recreation is fundamental
to supporting the physical and mental health of people nationwide. For
these reasons, people expect their local political leaders to provide the
financial support needed to ensure these indispensable services continue
to be available and are expanded to ensure all people have fair and just
access to them.”
People
also believe strongly that equitable access to parks and recreation is
vital to communities. According to a recent
poll conducted by NRPA, the vast majority (87 percent) of U.S. adults
agree it’s important for people to have fair and just access to high-quality
park and recreation programs, services and facilities that create healthy,
resilient and economically vibrant communities.
The
Engagement with Parks Report is an annual research series from NRPA
that tracks the general public’s interaction with and support for public
parks. The findings provide park and recreation professionals, policymakers
and other key stakeholders with insights on the importance local parks
and recreation facilities play in the lives of all people. The NRPA Research
Department publishes the Engagement with Parks Report each fall.
To
read NRPA’s Engagement with Parks Report, click
here.
To
learn more about NRPA, visit www.NRPA.org.
About
the National Recreation and Park Association
The
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit
organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities
through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members,
NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of
park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive
change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and
well-being. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access
to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.ParksAndRecreation.org.
Media
Contact:
Roxanne
Sutton
National
Recreation and Park Association
703-858-2166 |
The
2020
Engagement with Parks Report, based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults
ages 18+, also found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, parks and recreation
has been a vital respite for people. Three in five U.S. residents — more
than 190 million people — visited a park, trail, public open space or other
recreation facility at least once during the first three months of the
pandemic, and over half of U.S. residents maintained or increased park,
trail and open space usage during those same months.
