Americans Look Forward to Spending Time Outdoors During Holiday Season

(December 3, 2018)

Local parks and recreation agencies provide special events and activities

Ashburn, Va. (Dec. 3, 2018) — According to a recent poll conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), when it comes to visiting public spaces this winter, 8 in 10 (83 percent) Americans look forward to spending time outdoors. Most park and recreation agencies (84 percent) offer themed special events for their communities year-round, including holiday parades and light displays.

The top four locations Americans would most like to visit this winter and holiday season include:

  • A local farm to pick out holiday decorations (44 percent)
  • A beach to relax (33 percent)
  • A park to go sledding or playing (30 percent)
  • A trail to enjoy nature (26 percent)

Parents (93 percent), millennials (92 percent) and Gen Xers (84 percent) are more likely to visit outdoor locations this winter holiday season than non-parents (79 percent) and baby boomers (77 percent).

“Spending time outside is a great way to celebrate the winter season,” says Barbara Tulipane, CAE, NRPA president and CEO. “Whether it’s celebrating holidays, relaxing with friends or simply enjoying nature, local park and recreation agencies offer many places to visit and activities to enjoy.”

This poll is part of NRPA’s Park Pulse, a continuing series of monthly surveys that gauge the public’s opinion on topics relating to parks and recreation. To explore previous Park Pulse survey results, visit www.nrpa.org/Park-Pulse.   

To view the interactive charts with the survey results, click here.

To view the full-size infographic, click here.

To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.   

###

About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.