Six in seven U.S. adults want their local government to make investments that ensure children have access to safe and inclusive playgrounds, according to the latest National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Park Pulse poll.

Ninety-five percent of all park and recreation agencies include playgrounds as a part of their essential infrastructure. Ensuring children have access to safe and inclusive play opportunities is of the highest priority. Park and recreation professionals make this happen by making regular safety inspections, performing maintenance, and purchasing new or replacing old equipment.

Key Findings:

• Eighty-six percent of U.S. adults believe it is important for their local government to make investments that ensure children have access to safe and inclusive playgrounds.
• Two-thirds of U.S. adults say it is very or extremely important for their local government to make investments that ensure children have access to safe and inclusive playgrounds.
• Seventy-nine percent of millennials and 76 percent of parents believe it is very or extremely important for their local government to make the necessary investments to ensure children have access to safe and inclusive playgrounds.

“Park and recreation professionals and their offerings reach more than 40 million youth each year,” said Kevin Roth, NRPA vice president of research, evaluation and technology. “Ensuring these opportunities are safe and inclusive should be of highest priority for all communities.”

The National Recreation and Park Association offers the industry-leading certification program in playground safety, the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification program. The CPSI certification program provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date training on playground safety issues, including hazard identification, equipment specifications, surfacing requirements and risk management methods. There are currently nearly 6,000 CPSI professionals nationwide.

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.

To learn more about NRPA, visit 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 nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.