New Year’s Goals Can Be Achieved Through Parks and Recreation

Ashburn, VA (January 2, 2024)

Physical and emotional wellness goals can be met in your local community

Seventy-one percent of adults indicate that getting or staying physically active is their goal for the new year, according to the latest National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Park Pulse poll.

Parks and recreation offers opportunities year-round for physical and mental improvement. For many, the start of the new year brings about thoughts of goals, and for more than 90 percent of U.S. adults, those goals can be achieved at their local parks and recreation centers. By providing the community with outdoor and indoor spaces to be physically active, learn a new skill or connect with others, parks and recreation has something for everyone. Being physically active remains a top goal, while working on mental health, being in nature, and learning a new skill are high priorities for many in the coming year.

Key Findings:

  • Seventy-one percent of U.S. adults have a goal of getting or staying physically active this year
  • Fifty-three percent of U.S. adults indicate working on their mental health and self-care are a priority in the coming year
  • Nearly half of U.S. residents want to prioritize being in nature in 2024

“Local park and recreation agencies provide low-cost or no-cost opportunities year-round to stay active both inside and outside,” said Melissa May, NRPA senior research manager. “What better place to look to achieve your goals for the upcoming year? Parks and recreation is for everyone, no matter what your resolution.”

To view the interactive charts with the survey results, click here.

To view the full-size infographic, click here.

Each month, through a poll of 1,000 U.S. residents focused on park and recreation issues, NRPA Park Pulse helps tell the park and recreation story. To learn more about NRPA’s Park Pulse and see results from previous polls, click here.

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About the National Recreation and Park Association

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.