How Big Data Informs Park Planning

The field of parks and recreation is increasingly becoming more data-driven, with data helping to inform planning, decision-making, and resource allocation. This article by Kurt Buss discusses how data analysis and research by three national organizations, including the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Trust for Public Land (TPL), and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), are being used to ensure and support the equitable distribution and provision of parks in communities across the country.  Specifically, the following resources are highlighted:

• NRPA Park Metrics: This is the most comprehensive source of data standards and insights for park and recreation agencies. Launched in 2009, these agency performance resources assist park and recreation professionals in the effective management and planning of their operating resources and capital facilities. This suite of tools allows park and recreation agencies to build customized reports that allow for comparisons with peer agencies. Park and recreation professionals can use this benchmark data to gain more funding support, improve operations and better serve their communities.
• TPL ParkScore^®: This index is the national gold-standard comparison of park systems across the 100 most-populated cities in the U.S. Along with these 100 cities, the data behind the index also reveals park access levels for nearly 14,000 cities, towns, and communities. To determine a city’s ParkScore rating, TPL assigns points for 14 measures across five categories: acreage, investment, amenities, access, and equity. For each of the 14 measures, points are awarded on a relative basis, based on how a city compares to the 100 largest U.S. cities.
• NAR Community Preferences Surveys: NAR has conducted community preferences surveys, in one form or another for 20 years, providing realtors and local communities with important information about changes and helping them advocate for smart growth strategies in response to those shifts. According to the 2020 Community Preference Survey, more than three fourths of all respondents want to be within an easy walk to a park and 53 percent believe it is important to be close to paths. Also, over half of them would be willing to pay more to buy a house within walking distance to amenities, such as parks.

For details, please read the source article.