Local Parks and Recreation Is a Leading Provider of Sport Opportunities for All

Nearly four in five U.S. adults agree it is important that youth sports providers offer all children and young adults opportunities to learn about and play sports, regardless of their skill or ability to pay, according to the latest National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Park Pulse poll.

Park and recreation professionals and the local park and recreation agencies they support are leading providers of sports opportunities for all. According to NRPA’s Youth Sports at Park and Recreation Agenciesreport, one-third of park and recreation agencies offer adaptive or inclusive sports activities so people of all abilities may participate. Additionally, two in three agencies offer reduced or discounted fees for lower-income residents.

• Key Findings:
  • 78% of U.S. adults believe it is important that youth sports providers offer all children and young adults opportunities to learn about and play sports, regardless of their skill or ability to pay.
  • Nearly 3 in 5 U.S. adults believe it is very or extremely important that youth sports providers offer all children and young adults opportunities to learn about and play sports, regardless of their skill or ability to pay.
  • Parents (64%) are much more likely to think it is very or extremely important for kids to be offered these opportunities, regardless of their skill or ability to pay than those without children in the household (56%).

“Equity is at the heart of access in youth sports,” said Kevin Roth, NRPA vice president of research, evaluation and technology. “Park and recreation professionals and their agencies are major providers of both organized and unorganized sports program facilities across the nation, helping to address disparities in who has access to sports.”

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.

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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.