Parks and Recreation Provides Opportunities to Fulfill Health and Wellness Goals

(January 3, 2022)

Ninety-four percent of U.S. adults have health and wellness goals for 2022, according to a newly released National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) poll. Top goals include:

  • Drinking more water and eating healthier
  • Reducing stress
  • Increasing exercise and daily step counts
  • Getting outside more often

“Park and recreation departments are leaders in providing the spaces and programs where people can fulfill their health and wellness goals,” said Kevin Roth, NRPA vice president of research, evaluation and technology. “Whether it’s walking a local trail with a friend or attending an exercise class at the local fitness center, park and recreation professionals work hard to ensure all people have access to activities that reduce stress and enhance overall wellness.”

Local park and recreation agencies serve as community wellness hubs by leveraging their role as trusted gathering places that connect every member of the community to essential programs, services and spaces that advance health equity, improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life. Community wellness hubs meet the unique needs of their communities through a variety of ways, including access to healthy foods, physical activity, social connections and connection to nature. To learn more about parks and recreation as community wellness hubs, click here.

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

To view the full-size infographic, click here.

To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.

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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 www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.