A recent survey by the National Recreation and Park Association reveals that many park agencies are deferring or canceling maintenance and capital projects.

In the midst of a pandemic, parks and recreational facilities have proven to be popular destinations and essential infrastructure for a weary public seeking respite. Unfortunately, a recent survey by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) reveals that park agencies are struggling financially, suggesting that they will have a hard time keeping up with community needs. Specifically, budget cuts are resulting in the delay or even cancellation of maintenance and capital projects. In this article, Kevin Roth of the NRPA reveals the following key findings from the survey:
- Half of the park and recreation agencies that responded to the December Parks Snapshot survey indicated that they had reduced their previously budgeted 2021 operating spending, with a median reduction of 20 percent.
- One third of park and recreation leaders indicated in the same survey that they had reduced 2021 capital budgets in response to the current financial challenges.
- 36 percent of agencies located in large metropolitan areas were cutting back spending on capital projects, compared to 30 percent of agencies located in small metropolitan and rural areas.
- The typical agency reduced its capital budgets by 37 percent, with 1 in 6 agencies cutting capital expenditures by at least half.
FULL STORY: How Strained Budgets Led to Maintenance Deferments and Capital Project Delays

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

How San Diego Camping Ban Could Impact Neighborhoods
An ordinance supported by the city’s mayor would bar people from sleeping on the street near shelters or services, but critics say it will simply push people to other neighborhoods and put them farther away from the supportive services they need.

Expanding Access to Golf in South Los Angeles
L.A. County’s Maggie Hathaway Golf Course getting up to $15 Million from U.S. Open Community Legacy Project to expand access to the sport in South L.A.

Opinion: Failed Housing Bills Could Signal California-Style Housing Crisis in Texas
Legislators in a state that so often touts its policies as the opposite of California’s defeated several bills that would have made housing construction easier, leading to concerns that a constricted housing market may exacerbate the housing crisis.
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Bangor
Park City Municipal Corporation
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.