Americans continue to value community parks.

• Position: Recreation - Brief article

Americans overwhelmingly support local and community parks, according to a study commissioned by the National Recreation and Park Association, Ashburn, Va., and conducted by Pennsylvania State University, State College. They see local park and recreation services as a valuable part of their communities, with 83% stating that they personally benefit from local parks and 92% saying that their communities benefit from these services. Even a majority of nonusers believe their local parks are well worth the average amount of $70 per person paid in local taxes every year.

"Americans' Broad-Based Support for Local Recreation and Park Services" is an update to a study originally conducted in 1992 by Penn State. Since then, much has changed--Americans are older, better educated, more diverse and urbanized, and more technologically advanced. What has not changed, however, is how people, regardless of age, income, or political affiliation remain supportive of their local...