New report shows the role of park and recreation professionals in emergency response

Eighty-five percent of park and recreation agencies are highly involved with preparing for and responding to natural disasters — particularly those related to severe weather, according to a newly released Emergency Preparedness and Response in Parks and Recreation report from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

The Emergency Preparedness and Response in Parks and Recreation report examines the role park and recreation agencies play on the front lines in emergency preparedness and response. According to the association, with the rise of extreme weather events and natural disasters, the role of park and recreation agencies is becoming increasingly critical. To better understand and support this work, NRPA surveyed park and recreation agencies about their roles in the current landscape of emergency preparedness and response. This report highlights the experiences of, and the challenges and opportunities for, park and recreation professionals in emergency situations.

Key findings of the survey include:

• Most park and recreation agencies (85 percent) are highly involved with preparing for, and responding to, natural disasters — particularly those related to severe weather.
• The top three groups park and recreation professionals partner with when preparing for and responding to emergencies are other local government departments within agency jurisdictions, the Red Cross and local area risk management.
• About 78 percent of agencies primarily fund this work through their operational budgets.
• Most agencies (86 percent) have developed or follow some form of formal emergency plan within their jurisdictions.
• About a third of agencies (32 percent) face challenges with funding and staff time/capacity for this work.
• More than three-fourths of park and recreation professionals (78 percent) believe that their role in emergency preparedness and response is highly essential.

“Park and recreation agencies play a vital and often underrecognized role in emergency preparedness and response,” says Dianne Palladino, NRPA director of research and evaluation. “Through strategic partnerships, formal planning and dedicated use of operational resources, these professionals help safeguard communities and strengthen resilience in the face of natural disasters.”

To read the full Emergency Preparedness and Response in Parks and Recreation report, visit the report’s webpage on the NRPA website.