An overwhelming majority of adults in the United States find exercising at their local parks, trails, and open spaces essential to maintaining their mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over half (59 percent) note it is very or extremely essential to be able to walk, jog, hike and/or bike, with parents even more likely to feel this way (68 percent). Visitors should keep physical distancing parameters in mind whenever visiting their local park, trail or other open space.

Key Findings

• Eighty-three percent of U.S. adults agree that visiting their local parks, trails and open spaces is essential for their mental and physical well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Nearly three in five adults say that access to these amenities are very or extremely essential to their mental and physical health
• Parents are more likely than nonparents to find parks, trails and open spaces very or extremely essential (68 percent vs 56 percent, respectively)
• Millennials and Gen Zers are more likely than Baby Boomers to say it is very or extremely essential to do physical activities at their local parks, trails, and open spaces to maintain their mental and physical health (68 percent and 65 percent vs. 54 percent, respectively)