EMERGING

This section describes local and national trends that will influence how Lancaster best meets the parks and recreation needs of its community . These trends are based on a review of materials prepared by the National Recreation and Park Association

• Demographics

• Health and Wellness

• Programs and Activities

• Technology

•Trail and Walking Path Development

Demographics

While the population of Lancaster City has remained fairly consistent, that figure is anticipated to change with the arrival of Intel and other businesses occupying the Fairfield 33 Corridor

The City has not been able to acquire or dedicate enough parkland acreage to keep up with population growth to date if the standard of three to six acres of parkland per 1,000 residents is observed This may continue to be an issue as the population increases

With a poverty rate of around 16 percent, the presence of very-low-, low- and moderate-income households suggests a need for free and low-cost recreation services, as well as services that contribute to health and wellness

Post-pandemic, the NRPA reported that one of the strongest emerging trends is the focus on health and health equity “Recent NRPA Parks Snapshot surveys have shown that up to 60 percent of agencies are supporting food distribution, food pantries, health testing, daycare and safe places for learning ”

Health And Wellness

States and municipalities are experiencing rising levels of obesity and increasing rates of diabetes and heart disease As people become increasingly sedentary, the healthcare sector is exploring active living as a form of preventative healthcare to reduce healthcare costs . Meanwhile, new literature is being established, documenting the relationship between parks and recreation systems and physical activity Research has connected neighborhood park amenities and programming with an increase in physical activity Specifically, the following activities and facilities are associated with a significant increase in park use:

• Programming: Each additional supervised activity increased park use by 48% and physical activity by 37%, especially among seniors and teen girls

• Walking loops: Walking loops increase overall usage by 80%, senior activity by 100% and higher levels of exercise by 90% .

• Play areas: Every play element added to a playground increases its use by 50%

• Marketing: On-site banners, posters and signs increase use by 62%, including a 63% increase in activity

Center for Disease Control. Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults and Youth: United States, 2015–2016. October 2017. Caryn Ernst, Peter Harnik, and Linda Keenan. Active Parks, Healthy Cities. 2018.

Programming

Cities are getting more out of their parks and public spaces by providing programming and even offering mobile recreation programs Especially in areas with limited resources, bringing programming to existing parks can help serve nearby communities

In addition to programming its parks, the city can add features to its under-used mini-parks . Rather than installing playgrounds, play elements may be more appropriate for some of the city’s small parks Social seating, art, and activities with small footprints, such as ping pong, can activate parks

Technology

Increasingly, park patrons expect quality Wi-Fi access in parks, and appreciate access to charging stations and downloadable content such as augmented-reality walks, games and exhibits . In addition, wifi-connected visitors are also more likely to share and post photos, videos, and messages of their time at the park to social followers, which serves as free marketing and third-party validation and can further help to increase park attendance Some parks and recreation departments are leveraging drone technology as part of their public safety strategies These nimble aircraft can offer valuable eyes in the sky along remote park trails or could enable park operators to close trail sections that are unsafe without sending staff into potentially hazardous situations to monitor conditions Some smart parks also offer on-site digital displays and mobile apps that promote park and facility features and allow people to easily register for upcoming events and activities while such offerings are top-of-mind Signage featuring QR codes, much like the ones at Hunter Park, are becoming increasingly common as well https://www.civicplus.com/blog/pr/parks-and-rec-tech-advancements

Trails

Trail-based activities including walking, hiking, and running are highly popular in the United States . A 2016 Outdoor Participation Study conducted by the Outdoor Foundation found that 50% of Americans over the age of six walk as a form of physical exercise, 18% run outdoors, and 13% hike Over 63 % of Think BiG! survey respondents indicated that trails were the most valued asset of the city parks

Philadelphia Park Alliance. Activating Parks & Open Spaces Through Programming. June 2015

The Outdoor Foundation. 2016 Outdoor Recreation Participation. Report. 2016.