The majority of Americans agree on the importance of parks and recreation agencies and the use of their facilities to assist the community during and after a natural disaster, such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. Two in three Americans look to parks and recreation agencies to serve as an emergency distribution center for clean water, food, clothing and other life necessities.  Using recreation and community centers to serve as shelters during and after disasters is also considered very important by 62 percent of Americans.

Key Findings

• Sixty-six percent of Americans believe it is important to utilize park and recreation facilities as emergency distribution centers during and after times of natural disasters
• Sixty-two percent of Americans believe it is important to utilize recreation and community centers as shelters during and after times of natural disasters
• Nearly half (47 percent) of Americans believe it is important for parks and recreation agencies to contribute equipment and personnel to respond to immediate threats, such as cleaning up downed trees, rescuing stranded residents, etc. during and after times of natural disasters
• Southern residents are more likely than those in the Northeast to want recreation and community centers used as shelters (68 percent vs. 57 percent, respectively)