Parks and recreation provides cost-friendly options to individuals and families interested in recreational team sports
Ashburn, Va. (May 1, 2019) — According to a recent poll conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), when registering for recreational team sports, Americans consider these top three factors:
- Scheduling, 50 percent of respondents
- Location, 47 percent of respondents
- Cost, 43 percent of respondents
Cost ranks as the largest consideration of those with an income between $35,000-50,000, 54 percent, or those whose income is less than $35,000, 44 percent. For those making less than $35,000 per year, registration costs and equipment costs trumped all other considerations. Per the 2017 U.S. Census, nearly one in three households earn less than $35,000 per year.
“The gulf between the haves who can pay-to-play and those who cannot is wide and growing wider. Everyone, especially youth, deserves great recreational opportunities,” said Barbara Tulipane, CAE, NRPA president and CEO. “Public parks and recreation are vital to providing these opportunities for healthy recreation to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay-to-play.”
Park and recreation agencies across the country are committed to providing cost-friendly, convenient options to individuals and families that are interested in recreational team sports. Nearly 90 percent of agencies nationwide offer team sports, such as baseball, basketball and swimming. Anyone interested in learning more about these activities, is encouraged to visit their local park and recreation center where there are opportunities for everyone, including children, seniors and people with disabilities.
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.
View the interactive charts with the survey results.
View the full-size infographic.
To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
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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.