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PARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT | 41 <br />NEEDS <br />EMERGING TRENDS BENCH MARKS COMMUNITY OPINION <br />Trail-based activities including walking, hiking and <br />running are highly popular in the United States. <br />A 2016 Outdoor Participation Study conducted <br />by the Outdoor Foundation found that 50% of <br />Americans over the age of six walk as a form of <br />physical exercise, 18% run outdoors, and 13% hike. <br />Community members identifi ed trails for walking <br />and running as a priority. Forty-three percent (43%) <br />of community survey participants would like to see <br />more trails for walking and running. <br />Every play element added to a playground <br />increases its use by 50%. The City can add play <br />elements to its under-used mini-parks where space <br />and resources limit a full-scale playground. <br />Child-oriented activities, facilities and programs <br />were among the most popular existing activities <br />and among the most desired facility and program <br />improvements. Community members would like to <br />see more water play elements. <br />Participants across all three primary research <br />activities identifi ed a need for additional community <br />gathering spaces. Forty-one percent (41%) of survey <br />participants indicated that they use City parks to <br />socialize with family and friends. <br />The health care sector is exploring active living <br />as a form of preventative health care. Research <br />has connected neighborhood park amenities and <br />programming with an increase in physical activity. <br />The growing presence of very-low-, low- and <br />moderate-income households in Redwood City <br />indicate a need for fi tness opportunities to support <br />health and wellness and off set medical costs. <br />Fitness activities and facilities are important to <br />Redwood City community members. <br />The growing popularity of lacrosse creates an <br />increasing need for fi eld space for practice and <br />games. <br />Interview and focus group participants indicated a <br />need for more sports fi elds for practice and games. <br />Basketball continues to grow in popularity creates a <br />need for more courts, both indoor and outdoor. <br />7.A. - Page 59 of 66 <br />171