Getting back to nature, becoming physically fit, taking up a new hobby, or learning a new sport. These are some of the goals that people focus on as they search for ways to improve their overall well-being. And for many people, that search will lead them to their community parks which offer a wide variety of recreational programming options, some of which may reflect the latest national trends in leisure activities. But to determine what trends should be incorporated into their recreational programming, park agency professionals need to keep in mind what it is that draws people to their facilities in the first place. For starters, parks have greenways that offer a welcoming and relaxing break from crowded and noisy urban streets. Parks are places where people can exercise and improve their conditioning and fitness. In other benefits, the leaf canopy and natural environment of parks provide a “cooling” effect that helps to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. All these features help to improve the health and well-being of individuals and are the reasons why they visit.
But most importantly, data shows that people visit parks to socialize. Many individuals perceive parks as places where they can gather and connect with one another and share mutual interests. According to a recent 2025 survey conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), 60 percent of respondents reported that the number one reason they visit their local parks is to be with their friends and families. In a separate analysis of mixed age recreation, NRPA found that “93% of adults in the United States believe that older adults and children can benefit from spending time together in organized programs like those offered by many park and recreation agencies.” These findings suggest that when considering recreational programming that mirrors trends occurring nationwide, local park agencies should place an emphasis on initiatives that will have broad inter-generational appeal. Sammie Powers, assistant professor in the Recreation Management Program at George Mason University, recently offered her perspective on this and other aspects of recreational programming at parks.
Park and recreational programming should be guided by what is best for the community.
Park agency officials are stewards of the facilities they manage, and gatekeepers of the budget it takes to operate those spaces. With budgets tightening in many communities throughout the country, park and recreation officials must engage in a thoughtful and deliberative process when considering enhancements to their facilities—a process that is guided by what is best for the community instead of what happens to be trending in the field of parks and recreation at any given time. The justification for large investments in park programming or facility expansion must be supported by a demonstrated need in the community. It must also show the benefits that residents would derive from such enhancements. For example, agency officials considering the addition of an athletic field to a park could show how this would provide a needed venue for the participation of community sport leagues and an opportunity for residents to engage in athletic activities they enjoy. Park officials could also enter into shared use agreements with nearby public schools that lack access to athletic fields of their own. This would benefit children attending those schools by giving them more opportunities to participate in sports that will support their physical and mental health—opportunities that they may not have had previously.
Comprehensive Needs Assessments
The planning process for making major investments in park facilities and recreational services includes conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of the community. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, interviews with residents, and other community outreach efforts. The needs assessment will include an analysis of community demographics, the expected demand for the proposed enhancements, whether that demand will be sustained in the long-term, current barriers that residents may experience when trying to access existing park and recreation services, and their opinions on the type of park and recreation programming they would like to see in their community.
The use of multi-purpose courts is a popular trend in recreational programming.
One trend that has gained a foothold in recreational programming is the use of multi-purpose courts. These playing surfaces consist of strong materials that can withstand significant wear and tear, and they are constructed in a way that allows them to be easily reconfigured for a variety of sports including tennis, pickleball, futsal, volleyball, and basketball, among others. Many recreational programming professionals say that because multi-purpose courts can be used to play multiple sports, the initial investment made in upgrading park facilities to include these playing surfaces will result in long-term savings.
More people are visiting parks but the number of trips they are taking is decreasing.
Recreation management researchers are observing a trend supported by data which shows that the total number of individuals participating in outdoor activities at parks annually is increasing. However, the data also shows that while more people taken together are participating in park activities, they are doing so with fewer trips to the parks. Researchers maintain this is simply due to people having less time. This conclusion was borne out by the previously mentioned NRPA survey which showed that 41% of the respondents cited lack of time as the top reason they did not visit their local parks and recreational facilities during the past year.
Researchers say that to address this issue, park professionals could create programming opportunities such as nature walks, bike trail rides, wildlife habitat tours, and other outdoor activities that instead of being structured as a one-time event, could be held on a recurring monthly or bi-weekly basis. This would give people more flexibility to visit parks and enjoy the outdoors at a time that is more conducive to their schedule.
Generative artificial intelligence can improve park and recreation facility operations.
An exciting and emerging trend that promises to have a transformative effect on the operations of parks and recreation facilities involves the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Apps powered by AI can make it easier to track sign-ins for usage of swimming pools, exercise rooms, indoor/outdoor playing courts, and other amenities offered by park and recreational facilities. Previously, this data could only be developed manually through a long and time-consuming process. Data generated by AI would allow park and recreational professionals to quickly identify trends in facility usage. In turn, this would allow these professionals to more easily determine where future investments in programming and facility infrastructure might be most effective and provide the greatest benefit to the community.
To learn more about degree offerings in the Recreation Management Program at George Mason University, please visit the program website.