As millions of people continue to rely on local parks and recreation spaces to support their health, well-being and quality of life, a new National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Park Pulse poll highlights the amenities people value most when visiting their local parks.
According to the latest Park Pulse poll, seating and shade are among the most important park amenities for U.S. adults, followed closely by open green space and trails. In 2025, an estimated 227 million U.S. adults, or a member of their household, visited a local park or recreation facility (2025 NRPA Engagement With Parks Report). When coupled together, these findings reinforce the importance of designing parks that are welcoming, comfortable and accessible for all people and demonstrate the critical infrastructure role that parks have in communities.
Key findings:
- The top three most important park amenities to the public are: seating/shade, open green space, and trails.
- Parents consider playgrounds to be the most important park amenity.
- Millennials and Gen Zers are most likely to list playgrounds among their top park features.
“These findings underscore the need for continued investments in parks and recreation,” said Dianne Palladino, NRPA director of research and evaluation. “Parks serve as important places for people in their communities — creating spaces where people can gather, play, exercise and recharge. Whether it’s a shaded bench, an open field, a walking trail or a playground, thoughtfully designed amenities help ensure parks remain welcoming destinations that serve all needs for every community.”
To learn more about the 2025 NRPA Engagement With Parks Report, visit https://www.nrpa.org/publications-research/research-papers/Engagement/
