Data on Park Use

U.S. Adults Say Parks and Recreation 
Is a Necessary and Important Service 
Ashburn, VA (September 13, 2022) 
Findings published in the 2022 NRPA Engagement With Parks Report 
Almost all U.S.adults (90 percent) agree that parks and recreation is an important 
service provided by their local government, according to a newly released report from 
the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Survey respondents placed 
nearly the same level of importance on parks and recreation as they did on virtually 
every other major service delivered by their local governments, like fire protection, 
roads/transportation, water/utilities, police protection and more. 
The 2022 Engagement With Parks Report, based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 
18 and older, shows the public’s affinity toward their local parks and recreation is strong, 
with 275 million U.S. residents having visited a local park or recreation facility at least 
once during the past year. Results from the survey show that equitable access to high-
quality park and recreation opportunities is a vital factor in a superior quality of life for 
all. 
Nearly nine in 10 people agree that it is important to fund local park and recreation 
agencies to ensure every member of the community has equitable access to amenities, 
infrastructure and programming. 
Key Findings: 
• 
Nearly 3 in 4 U.S. residents have at least one local park, playground, open space 
or recreation center within walking distance of their homes. 
• 
Eighty-four percent of U.S. adults seek high-quality parks and recreation when 
choosing a place to live. 
• 
Hispanic residents (88%) are most likely to cite having walkable access to a park 
or recreation facility. 
• 
Families and individuals visit their local parks and recreation facilities an average 
of 22 times a year. 
“The results of this year’s report demonstrates that people place a high value on the 
programs and services that park and recreation agencies deliver to their local 
communities every day,” said Kevin Roth, NRPA vice president of research, evaluation 
and technology. “The public’s strong and broad-based support for parks and recreation 
solidifies the case made to local political leaders, stakeholders and the media for 
greater and more sustainable funding for this essential function.” 
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 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 nrpa.org. For 
digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, 
visit parksandrecreation.org.