In the early days of the pandemic, parks, trails and other outdoor amenities were the only recreational opportunities open to the public to provide respite to millions during a very stressful time.  Park and recreation professionals and their agencies played a vital role in how their communities responded to the emergency. These agencies provided childcare programs to essential workers, served as distribution points for nutrition assistance, and made their facilities available for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

The NRPA Research team collaborated with academic researchers to better understand the lessons learned and the broader legacy of the pandemic on parks and recreation. Park and Recreation Directors’ Retrospective on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Post-Pandemic Survey is the result of that research.

 

Read the Report

Park and Recreation Directors’ Retrospective on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Post-Pandemic Survey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This report is based on the report titled: Park and Recreation Directors’ Retrospective on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Post-Pandemic Survey. The study’s researchers were:

  • Andrew J. Mowen, Ph.D.
    The Pennsylvania State University
  • Sammie Powers, Ph.D.
    George Mason University
  • Nick Pitas, Ph.D.
    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Alex Caraynoff, M.S.
    The Pennsylvania State University

News Stories