Trends in Local Park and Recreation Department Finances and Staffing in the Early Twenty-First Century

The relationship between self-rated health and local government spending on parks and recreation in the United States from 1997 to 2012

“…We used four publicly available census datasets to determine the relationship between county level parks and recreation spending and self-rated health from 1997 to 2012. Given the inconsistent level of funding for local parks and recreation relative to other government services (Pitas et al, 2017b), it is important to understand the potential impact of these spending decisions on public health.…”

“…In light of these findings it appears that funding for local parks and recreation services could be viewed as a form of non-traditional healthcare spending. When viewing local parks and recreation services in this way, the inconsistent nature of their funding over the past fifty years is troubling (Crompton and Kaczynski, 2003; Pitas et al, 2017b), and may suggest the need for a reconsideration of priorities, both at the local government level and within public health policy.…”

“…Following its peak prior to the Great Recession in 2007, local government spending on parks and recreation was on the decline until 2014 (Crompton and Kaczynski, 2003; Pitas et al, 2017b). Although local government spending on parks and recreation has rebounded, it is still below pre-recession levels, and is outpaced by the recovery of other government services (Pitas et al, 2017b).…”

“…Following its peak prior to the Great Recession in 2007, local government spending on parks and recreation was on the decline until 2014 (Crompton and Kaczynski, 2003; Pitas et al, 2017b). Although local government spending on parks and recreation has rebounded, it is still below pre-recession levels, and is outpaced by the recovery of other government services (Pitas et al, 2017b). This decline is contrasted by the consistent increase of healthcare spending in the United States, with current projections expecting the United States to spend 19.9% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare by 2025 (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2017).…”

The relationship between parks and recreation per capita spending and mortality from 1980 to 2010: A fixed effects model

“…While healthcare spending may have experienced a consistent increase in spending from 1960 to 2016, parks and recreation spending did not share the same fate, as it is far more subject to the ebbs and flows of the national economy than other health-related services. Local government spending on parks and recreation experienced declines through the 1980's, a gradual climb throughout the 1990's and 2000's, and a steep decline following the Great Recession (Crompton and Kaczynski, 2003; Pitas et al, 2017a). Although parks and recreation spending has begun to recover post-recession, the recovery has proceeded more slowly than other government services, and as of 2014 had not recovered to pre-recession levels (Pitas et al, 2017a).…”