TRENDS IN PUBLIC RECREATION

Since the early 1950s, the role of government in providing recreation opportunities has increased dramatically throughout the nation, and in North Carolina. This trend was accelerated in the mid-1960s following studies prepared by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and the creation of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provided matching federal money to local governments for the development of outdoor recreation facilities and areas.

Our technological society has also promised abundant leisure. However, for most people, this leisure has turned out to be a myth. With sixty percent of the women in the work force and many individuals working more than one job, it is apparent that we, as a society, have opted for greater financial security over leisure time. The implications for public recreation are that people increasingly want their leisure opportunities near at hand in order to take advantage of the small blocks of time which are available to them. Much recreation takes place after the work day, and on weekends and holidays.

Much of the demand for recreation is for programs requiring indoor facilities and active opportunities. However, ongoing studies conducted by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation indicate that Americans prefer relatively simple outdoor recreation opportunities. The well-balanced recreation system provides opportunities for both indoor and outdoor activities of both an active and a passive nature.

Since the early 1970s, national studies and park attendance figures have shown steady increase in participation. In 1989, the State of North Carolina conducted an "Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey". These survey results provide good insight into current participation in a wide range of outdoor recreation activities by North Carolinians.

The five most popular outdoor recreation activities in North Carolina are:

Walking for pleasure;
Driving for pleasure;
Viewing scenery;
Beach activities; and
Visiting historical sites.

In addition to these activities, over fifty percent of the households responding participated at least once in the following activities:

Swimming;
Visiting natural areas;
Picnickng;
Attending sports events;
Visiting zoos; and
Freshwater fishing.

Based on participation rates, the following activities were ranked highest:

Walking for pleasure;
Driving for pleasure;
Viewing scenery;
Jogging or running; and
Bicycling for pleasure.

The presence of three fitness-related activities – walking, jogging and bicycling – in the top five, along with swimming, indicate that we are increasingly fitness-oriented.

Activity preferences vary significantly among different age groups.

While some of the outdoor recreation needs indicated by the North Carolina and earlier federal studies can be adequately met on existing developed sites within Hickory, there is a need to adequately provide additional facilities for walking and bicycling. It should be emphasized that these outdoor recreation needs do no constitute the entire spectrum of recreation activities, but refer only to selected activities which take place in an outdoor setting. It should also be noted that the demand for specific recreation activities constantly changes, thus creating a need for new and different types of facilities.

Recreation demand for specific activities has changed significantly in the last few years. For example, winter sports did not exist in the North Carolina Highlands until the late 1960s, nor could the present level of interest in soccer have been accurately predicted a decade ago.

The demand for "high risk" activities continues to be high. This category includes such activities as parachuting, hang gliding, karate, judo, surfing, skin diving, white water canoeing, rock climbing, water skiing and snow skiing. Public recreation areas are increasingly supplying opportunities for these activities. Difficult problems must be resolved in such matters as liability, reasonable safety standards, etc. With care and ingenuity, however, it may be possible to extend the challenges and excitement of such risk activities from specialized groups to the general public with reasonable degrees of safety, and without generating lawsuits.

Perhaps the most significant trend in the provision of public recreation services is the severe budget cuts currently being experienced by federal, state and local governments. Caught in the squeeze between rising costs and reduced revenues, government at all levels is seeking ways to balance over-strained budgets. While it is hoped that this trend will be short-lived, it is appropriate to seek methods to continue to provide the desired level of services. Among the devices being used are contracting for certain services, great dependence on revenue-producing facilities and programs, and seeking ways to become more efficient in the program delivery system, volunteerism, and seeking contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals.

Local systems are trending away from direct activity leadership towards more self-directed activities.

There is also a trend to consolidate programs and facilities in larger, more efficient operations and to close smaller neighborhood operations.

The number of women in the work place continues to increase, with approximately 60% of women now working outside the home.

Finally, our population is aging. In Catawba County, 17% of the population is over 65 years old. Much of this older population is extremely active, and many have the time and the money to engage in a variety of leisure pursuits.