Three in four U.S. adults say outdoor amenities will be important to continue or create new family traditions this fall and winter, according to a newly released National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) poll. Local park and recreation professionals and their agencies provide a variety of outdoor places where people can safely gather, including:
- Parks
- Picnic Areas
- Campgrounds
- Pavilions
More than half of U.S. adults say having access to outdoor amenities, such as local parks, during the fall and winter is extremely or very important. While people of all ages seek these amenities, parents (86 percent), Gen Xers (85 percent) and millennials (83 percent) are most likely to view fall and winter access to outdoor amenities as important.
“Local parks are popular places for people to meet with family and friends, and enjoy the best each season has to offer,” said Kevin Roth, NRPA’s vice president of research, evaluation and technology. “Your local parks and recreation is delivering fun and affordable outdoor activities for everyone to safely enjoy this fall and winter.”
Local parks and recreation is one of the nation’s top providers of popular outdoor amenities and activities that strengthen people’s mental and physical health, and bring individuals together, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people have turned to their local parks and recreation to seek a much-needed respite from the day-to-day stresses of the pandemic, and to interact with others in a safe environment where physical distancing is encouraged. A recent NRPA report reveals 3 in 5 people — or more than 190 million people — visited a local park, trail, public open space or recreation facility during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic (mid-March through mid-June 2020).
