TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
PREPARED BY: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
SUBJECT:
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Parks and Recreation Trends - The Next Big Thing
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RECOMMENDATION
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Receive and file staff presentation on Parks and Recreation trends report.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
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CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services.
BACKGROUND
Parks and Recreation continues to evolve rapidly as community interests shift and new activities capture the public’s imagination. This report provides an overview of emerging trends shaping participation today, setting the foundation for a deeper look at what may follow once the surge in pickleball’s popularity begins to level out. The Strategic Plan Milestones/Master Plan Prioritization item later on the agenda further outlines how staff is tracking certain trends and aligning programs, events, and facility planning with the guiding strategies of both the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Trails Master Plan.
Big-Picture Parks and Recreation Trends for 2025 and Beyond
• Climate Resilience and Extreme Weather Planning: Agencies are being pushed to plan for more heat, smoke, storms, and flooding, this affects everything from outdoor event timing to shade structures, cooling centers, and pool operations.
• Technology as a Core Tool, Not a Bonus: Departments are leaning into dashboards, AI tools, and data platforms to track participation, communicate with residents, and make plans “actionable from day one” rather than sitting on a shelf.
• Customer-Centric Programming: Agencies are using surveys, registration data, and community engagement tools to quickly pivot programs based on demand and demographics, rather than relying on legacy offerings.
Programming Trends - “The Next Big Thing” Beyond Pickleball
A lot of professionals are asking: what’s after pickleball?
Key Emerging Programming Directions:
• Social Fitness and Low-Barrier Activities: Walking clubs, outdoor fitness circuits, stroller-friendly programs, and “come-as-you-are” leagues that emphasize social connection over competition. These respond to aging populations and residents who are intimidated by traditional sports.
• Intergenerational and Family-Based Programs: Programs that intentionally mix ages, grandparent-grandchild events, family game nights, multi-age art and nature programs, are growing as communities look for connection across generations.
• Wellness and Mental Health Integration: Mindfulness in the park, yoga in unusual spaces, nature therapy walks, and “unplugged” events are increasingly framed as mental health supports, not just recreation.
• Niche and Rotating “Pop-Up” Programs: Short-run, experimental offerings (e.g., glow-in-the-dark sports, themed trivia in the park, seasonal skills workshops) let agencies test interest without long-term commitment and keep calendars feeling fresh.
• Equity and Access as a Design Lens: Sliding-scale fees, targeted outreach, multilingual marketing, and programs brought directly into underserved neighborhoods are becoming expected, not exceptional.
Events Trends - How Communities Want to Gather:
• Smaller, More Frequent, Hyper-Local Events: Instead of only a few giant festivals, many agencies are layering in neighborhood-scale events: block-party style gatherings, park pop-ups, and micro-concerts that reduce traffic/parking strain and reach more residents where they live.
• Experience-Rich, Instagrammable Moments: Events that combine multiple elements, live music, food trucks, interactive art, themed lighting, and photo spots, tend to draw broader audiences and younger participants. People are looking for “experiences,” not just attendance.
• Themed Series Instead of One-Offs: Night markets, summer concert series, or seasonal cultural celebrations build habits and anticipation, and they are easier to market once the brand is established.
• Climate and Time-Aware Scheduling: With hotter summers and more extreme weather, agencies are shifting to more evening events, shaded venues, and backup indoor locations, and investing in shade, misting, and cooling strategies at outdoor sites.
Aquatics Trends - Programs, Facilities, and Operations
An Aquatic Trends Report for 2025 highlights that while every facility is unique, operators are wrestling with common issues: staffing, rising costs, and aging infrastructure, all while demand for water-based fun and safety training remains high.
Program and Use Trends for Aquatics:
• Learn-to-Swim and Water Safety as a Core Mission: Many agencies are doubling down on swim lessons and water safety, especially for youth and historically underserved communities, as drowning prevention becomes a public health focus.
• Multi-Use Aquatic Spaces: Pools are being programmed more flexibly, lap lanes that convert to open play, floating obstacle courses, aqua fitness, therapy sessions, and rentals, so the same water can serve multiple audiences in a day.
• Inclusive and Adaptive Aquatics: Sensory-friendly swim times, adaptive lessons, and accessible design (ramps, lifts, zero-depth entries) are increasingly standard expectations rather than special add-ons.
• Extended Seasons and Alternative Water Play: Splash pads, “spray” grounds, and shallow interactive features are popular because they are lower-lifeguard, highly family-friendly, and can sometimes operate longer in the year than traditional pools.
Technology and Data Shaping the “Next Big Thing”
Future-focused parks and recreation teams are leaning into technology not as a gimmick, but as infrastructure for smarter decisions.
Program and Use Trends:
• AI and Automation for Operations and Engagement: Consultants working with agencies note growing use of AI for language translation, video creation, and content generation, as well as tools that help staff communicate with diverse communities more efficiently.
• Dashboards and Real-Time Tracking: Agencies are using dashboards to visualize priorities, track progress on plans, and monitor participation, which helps justify budgets and quickly adjust underperforming programs.
• Digital Registration and Membership Tools: Streamlined online registration, membership management, and facility booking are now baseline expectations for residents and a keyway to gather data on what’s working.
FISCAL IMPACT
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ATTACHMENTS
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