Flipping a 20-year trend in which Americans shunned outdoor recreation, they found comfort in green spaces throughout the political and social turmoil of 2020.
A nationwide poll released Tuesday by the nonprofit National Recreation and Park Association showed that parks and outdoor recreation played a “critical role” in helping people of all ages improve and maintain their mental health and well-being.
Of adults polled, 93% said activities offered by local parks were beneficial to their mental health. In particular they appreciated opportunities to spend time in nature, socialize with family and friends and exercise.
Parents were most likely to say access to outdoor recreation improved their mental health. Other activities typically sponsored by parks helped, including taking classes or learning something new; relaxing through meditation, yoga or tai chi; volunteering in the community; and attending or participating in arts and cultural programs.
Kevin Roth, the park association’s vice president of research, evaluation and technology, said the mental health benefits of parks and outdoor recreation have been well established in prior studies, which found that a connection to nature can relieve stress, and shared outdoor experiences can tighten interpersonal relationships. Most recently, he said, parks provided refuge for people who needed escape from the day-to-day stresses of the pandemic.
“Parks and park professionals provided people of all ages and abilities with access to activities, such as exercising, that are scientifically proven to boost mental health and wellness in children and adults alike,” he said. “Anyone who wants to improve their physical and/or mental health is encouraged to visit a local park or recreation center where there are healthy activity options for everyone.”
Fishing grants
Organizations in Allegheny and Butler counties were among nine statewide receiving education grants totaling $158,945 from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The grants support “R3” fishing programs focused on recruiting new anglers, retaining existing anglers and reactivating former fishing participants.
Venture Outdoors, an Allegheny County-based outdoor recreation facilitator, was funded for a program titled “Recovering from COVID by Connecting to Our Waterways: Kayaking and Fishing with Venture Outdoors.” The group runs TriAnglers, a free supervised lunchtime fishing opportunity Wednesdays on the North Shore, the Kayak Pittsburgh rental program at North Park Lake and the North Shore and various fly-fishing field trips.
The Fish and Boat grant funded Butler Area School District’s “Fishing is Fun in Butler,” which includes a middle school fisheries nursery program and live video feeds showing underwater views of the school’s Trout in the Classroom aquariums.
The Pennsylvania Council of trout Unlimited received a grant for staff and equipment to expand its statewide fishing education programs.
“Education programs play a role in R3 by providing experiences that increase knowledge and skills, facilitate social support and provide information on opportunities close to home,” said Amber Nabors, Fish and Boat director of outreach, education and marketing. “When we encourage people to get involved and stay involved, fishing and boating can become lifelong outdoor recreational activities that bring people together in our communities and benefit physical and mental health.”
Gun, fishing gear sales
The market for hunting, fishing and firearm products was “fundamentally changed” in 2020, according to research conducted by Southwick Associates, a market research and economics firm that specializes in hunting, shooting, sportfishing and other outdoor recreation markets.
Government distancing mandates and political changes sparking social unrest led to unanticipated demand for products in the $10 billion fishing tackle market and $24 billion firearms, hunting and recreational shooting market.
Firearms and ammunition sales grew by 60%, even with supply constraints, and fishing tackle retail sales increased by 55%. Hunting and shooting sports accessories also saw growth.
Nancy Bacon, Southwick vice president, said 2020 presented challenges that both spiked and suppressed sales.
“COVID-19 and social issues drove demand to all-time highs. Simultaneously, the same factors resulted in depleted wholesale and retail inventories, closed factories, shortages of materials and backed-up ports, causing significant supply pressures,” she said in a statement.
First Published: June 4, 2021, 9:16 p.m.
