The trends tracked for this section include Park Acreage by Type, Total Park Acreage for Public Use per 1,000 Residents, and Miles of Trails per 1,000 residents. All of the influencing factors accounted for in past reports remain the same for this report.
Valley Benchmark Communities
Park and Recreation Services
Influencing Factors
At times, recreation programs, parks, trails, and pools are offered by private organizations, such as homeowner associations. The availability and quality of private programs and amenities influence the extent to which cities consider offering similar programs and amenities.
Feedback from the community is vital to understanding what services are desired and what the community values most in parks and recreation services.
The socioeconomic and demographic make-up of a community can influence recreation centers and other amenities. Communities with larger low-income populations have a higher demand for low-cost or free recreation programs, public pools, and recreation centers for people of all ages.
Geography helps shape how cities define recreational activities and what amenities are offered. Individuals who live closer to outdoor recreation areas than developed municipal parks influence the demand for parks in a city. If recreation exists in close proximity for citizens, such as preserves, trails, and open spaces, their need to visit a developed park is diminished, which influences developed park acreage.
