ADVOCACY
July is Park and Recreation Month, a national month-long celebration of the vital work park and recreation agencies do to serve their communities all year long.
Reframing the Conversation Around Parks and Recreation By Dan McCarthy
L
ocal parks and recreation centers are those special places that often provide us with our first experiences in nature and introduce us to a favorite hobby or physical activity. They are places to gather with friends and family, spaces to celebrate life’s special moments, spots of respite and healing, sites that connect us with essential community services and so much more. The services park and recreation professionals provide are vital for communities — from protecting natural resources to providing open spaces for all people. July is Park and Recreation Month, a national month-long celebration of the vital work park and recreation agencies do to serve their communities all year long. This year, NRPA is asking our members and supporters to rise up and help tell the story of parks in their communities. Telling stories is one of the most powerful ways that folks can influence, teach and inspire others. Storytelling forges
20
Parks & Recreation
| J U LY 2 0 2 2 | P A R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G
connections between people and ideas; stories convey culture, history and values that unite people. To help park and recreation professionals tell their agency’s story, NRPA put together some compelling data and perspectives.
Data Is on Our Side The data is clear: public support for local parks and recreation spaces has always been high, but it
has surged since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to NRPA’s 2021 Engagement With Parks Report (nrpa.org/ Engagement), people place a high value on the programs and services that park and recreation agencies deliver to their local communities every day and strongly support their mission. Some key findings include: • In the United States, 260 million people visited a local park or recreation facility at least once during the past year. • Four in five U.S. adults seek high-quality parks and recreation when choosing a place to live. • Eighty-seven percent of people agree that parks and recreation is an important service provided by their local government.
