Poll: Events, Farmers Markets and Historical Areas Connect People

Eighty-seven percent of U.S. adults participate in park and recreation activities that better connect them to their local community, according to the latest National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Park Pulse poll. Millennials are more likely overall to feel connected to their communities by having their children participate in activities such as summer camp or after-school programs. Unfortunately, baby boomers and those making less than $35,000 per year felt the least amount of connection to their local community.

Key Findings:

• Attending local events/festivals/parades, shopping at the local farmers market and visiting local historical areas rank as top ways the public feels most connected with their local community.
• Virtually all parents (96 percent) agree activities exist that make them feel more connected to their local community. Attending local events/festivals/parades and having their children participate in programs locally are the top activities that make parents feel most connected.
• Millennials are more likely than adults overall to feel connected to their communities by having their children participate in activities such as summer camp or after-school programs (40 percent vs. 19 percent, respectively).
• Those identifying as Hispanic are much more likely than those identifying as Black or white to feel community connection through participating in fitness or educational classes (44 percent vs. 28 percent and 24 percent, respectively).
• More than 25 percent of individuals making less than $35,000 per year and 24 percent of baby boomers indicate they do not feel a connection to their local community.

“Parks and recreation is a top provider of activities and spaces that foster community connections,” said Kevin Roth, NRPA vice president of research, evaluation and technology. “Whether an annual parade, weekly farmers market visit or daily walk in the park, parks and recreation provides opportunities for members of the local community come to together and connect with one another.”

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

To view the full-size infographic, click here.

Each month, through a poll of 1,000 U.S. residents focused on park and recreation issues, NRPA Park Pulse helps tell the park and recreation story. To learn more about NRPA’s Park Pulse and see results from previous polls, click here.

To learn more about NRPA, visit nrpa.org.

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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.