Since 2016, the Research team of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has conducted this yearly survey to better understand how people connect with parks and recreation across the United States. The report provides park and recreation professionals and advocates, policymakers, and other key stakeholders with insights into how local parks and recreation facilities impact the lives of every person in our nation.

The 2025 Engagement with Parks Report makes clear this point: people use and value the programs and services that local park and recreation agencies deliver to their communities every day. An estimated 227 million adults or a household member visited their local park or recreation facility in 2025. These numbers have remained consistent over the past nine years of this annual report’s findings highlighting the enduring nature of local parks and recreation in the lives of people in the U.S. This report examines the essential nature of local parks and recreation, including how parks play a role in deciding where to live, the number of local parks, trails and other open spaces within easy access to people's homes, and much more.

Read The Report