New Report Provides Look at State of the Industry for Parks and Recreation

(April 4, 2018)

Report includes key benchmarking data for park and recreation agencies nationwide

Ashburn, Va. (April 4, 2018) — To be a leader in your industry, it is vital to know where you stand against your peers — parks and recreation is no different. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) gives park and recreation professionals the data they need to be industry leaders, while best serving their communities with the 2018 NRPA Agency Performance Review. This report, with its accompanying interactive and customizable online tools, is the most comprehensive resource of park and recreation data and insights in the United States.

The 2018 NRPA Agency Performance Review replaces outdated national standards with key metrics that empower park and recreation agencies to compare themselves with their peers and identify best practices. Key findings from the 2018 NRPA Agency Performance Review show that the typical park and recreation agency:

  • Has 10.1 acres of park land per 1,000 residents
  • Has 1 park for every 2,114 residents
  • Has 7.9 staff members per 10,000 residents
  • Has operating expenditures per capita of $78.26
  • Recovers 28 percent of operating expenditures through revenue generation

The report also shows that 55 percent of agencies offer afterschool care and 84 percent of agencies offer summer camps. 

The 2018 NRPA Agency Performance Review was produced using data from 1,069 park and recreation agencies in NRPA Park Metrics, NRPA’s benchmarking resource that assists park and recreation professionals in the effective management and planning of their operating resources and capital facilities. The report not only provides benchmarks, but also shows the breadth and depth of activities and roles that local park and recreation agencies are performing.

“Park and recreation agencies are engines of economic activity with a vital public service mission,” said Barbara Tulipane, CAE, NRPA president and CEO. “That’s why it’s important for us to provide them with key data they can use to get the support and funding they need to positively impact the lives of every community member they serve.”

The 2018 NRPA Agency Performance Review helps park and recreation professionals evaluate the performance of their agencies and understand how they relate to their peers in terms of staffing, budget, amount of park space and facilities. Combining this data with other resources, such as NRPA’s Americans’ Engagement with Parks Survey, Facility Market Reports, Economic Impact of Local Parks Report, Americans’ Broad-Based Support for Local Recreation and Park Services Report, and Park Pulse polls can help agencies receive the support they need to provide tailored services that meet the unique needs of their community.

To view the report, interactive tables, customizable reports and corresponding infographic, visit www.nrpa.org/apr.  

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.