DRAFT
INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
NOVEMBER 13, 2024 | PREPARED BY:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. ..................................................................... 4
2. DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS..............................................................11 Market Analysis...................................................................................................................12 Demographic Analysis......................................................................................................12 Recreation Trends Analysis.............................................................................................18 3. SIMILAR PROVIDER ANALYSIS..........................................................35 Introduction..........................................................................................................................36 Project Approach................................................................................................................37 Similar Providers Data.......................................................................................................38 Fitness Facility Similar Providers...................................................................................38 Indoor Aquatic Facility Similar Providers....................................................................42 Gym, Turf, and Event Space Facility Similar Providers...........................................45 Tennis and Pickleball Facility Similar Providers........................................................48 Activity and Recreation Facility Similar Providers....................................................49 Similar Providers Summary..............................................................................................52 4. KEY LEADER INTERVIEWS.................................................................53 Introduction..........................................................................................................................54 Interviews Summary..........................................................................................................54 Key Themes.........................................................................................................................57 5. FOCUS GROUPS.................................................................................. 58 Introduction..........................................................................................................................59 Strengths...............................................................................................................................59 Challenges............................................................................................................................60 Opportunities.......................................................................................................................61 Considerations for Planning Future Indoor Recreation Space............................63
6. OPEN HOUSES..................................................................................... 64 Open House Summary.....................................................................................................65
7. COMMUNITY SURVEY........................................................................ 67 Introduction & Methods....................................................................................................68 Main Findings of the Stratified Random Sample......................................................69 Indoor Facility Use & Program Use..............................................................................71 Constraints to Indoor Recreation Facility Use...........................................................72 Condition, Upkeep, and Cleanliness of Indoor Recreation Facilities................74 Park District Performance & Value................................................................................76
Naperville Park District - Fort Hill Activity Center
TABLE OF CONTENTS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Indoor Facility Interests and Space Needs................................................................78 Importance of Three Types of New Indoor Recreation Facilities.......................80 Willingness to Pay for a New Indoor Recreation Facility.......................................81 Desired Location & Travel Time to an Activity Center............................................82 Program Interest Level and Needs...............................................................................83 Program Ideas By Age Group........................................................................................85 Other Recreation, Fitness, and Health Agencies Utilized.....................................86 Facility Type Importance and Willingness to Pay: By Age Group and Years Lived In Naperville............................................................87 Importance and Willingness to Pay: By Planning Areas (1-8)................................89 Facility Amenity Interest: By Age Group and Years Lived in Naperville...........90 Comparisons of Key Results...........................................................................................92 Open-Ended Feedback....................................................................................................94 8. SPACE UTILIZATION ANALYSIS.........................................................95 Fort Hill Activity Center.....................................................................................................96 Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center (ARRCC)..............................................100 Supporting Facilities..........................................................................................................103 9. SPACE USE RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................108 Introduction..........................................................................................................................109 Fort Hill Activity Center.....................................................................................................110 Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center (ARRCC)..............................................111 Supporting Facilities..........................................................................................................112 New Facility Recommendations....................................................................................113 Overall Programming Trends and Recommendations...........................................113 Estimated Costs..................................................................................................................115
10. EXISTING FACILITY AERIALS & FLOOR PLANS..............................117
AP. APPENDICES........................................................................................138 Appendix I: Frequently Asked Questions...................................................................140 Appendix II: Indoor Recreation Facilities & Programs............................................141 Appendix III: Indoor Recreation Facility Similar Providers.....................................143 Appendix IV: Community Input......................................................................................149 Appendix V: Open House Boards................................................................................152 Appendix VI: National Participation Trends in Aquatic Exercise.........................159 Appendix VII: Open Survey & Brief On-Site Questionnaire Results..................170 Appendix VIII: Open-Ended Feedback.......................................................................197 Appendix IX: Survey Questions.....................................................................................230
Naperville Park District - Fort Hill Activity Center
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Naperville Park District - Fort Hill Activity Center
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In early 2024, the Naperville Park District selected the team of Williams Architects, PROS Consulting, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office of Recreation and Park Resources (ORPR) to conduct a District-wide assessment of indoor recreation space needs. The goal of this initiative was to develop a detailed plan to address community need for and support of further indoor recreation amenities. This assessment is designed to guide the District in ensuring it continues to meet the recreation needs of the community while assisting the Park Board of Commissioners and staff in understanding the District’s current and future direction regarding indoor space. The goals in developing the Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment were to: • Assist the Park District to determine and prioritize where to invest its resources for current and future indoor space. • Evaluate the agency’s current indoor recreation space inventory and utilization as it relates to key District documents and survey data. • Assist in creating baselines for peak facility use, capacities, hours of operations, etc. • Identify gaps and inefficiencies with current indoor facility use and make recommendations regarding space needed to address both current needs and future growth. • Identify types and sizes of indoor spaces needed to address current needs and future growth in addition to estimated construction costs.
• Assist the District in confirming community interest and need for additional indoor space. • Formulate a plan with recommendations for future indoor space based on multiple data sources.
Naperville Park District - Fort Hill Activity Center
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CHAPTER ONE • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT OVERVIEW Created in 1966, the Naperville Park District is an independent municipal agency that serves the recreation needs of a community of approximately 150,000 residents. Its mission to provide recreation and park experiences that promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community is at the forefront of its operations. It maintains and operates more than 2,400 acres comprised of 138 parks and several unique facilities. The District provides over 7,500+ recreational classes, teams, events and performances annually, serving the recreation interests of all ages. The Park District is an accredited agency through the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Commission for the Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) program. INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT While the Naperville Park District built and opened the Fort Hill Activity Center in 2016, it filled to near capacity in many respects in less than eight years. Additionally, post-pandemic, the District observed a tremendous increase in participation in many of its indoor programs, leading to challenges in accommodating participants. The purpose of the Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment is to review space utilization within current District facilities and additional space obtained through leases or Intergovernmental Agreements, while assessing the potential need for additional, new facility space to accommodate recreation program needs of a diverse population. Besides the Fort Hill Activity Center, the Park District operates its main indoor programs in the following facilities: • Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center (ARRCC) • Knoch Knolls Nature Center • 95th Street Center – Three (3) Leased Classrooms • Studio One – Art Studio • Seager Park Interpretive Center • Sportsman’s Park Community Clubhouse • Xilin Association – One (1) Leased Dance Room • School Districts 203 and 204 Facilities Accommodating the demonstrated need for indoor recreation programs by community members for Park District recreation programs and services remains a challenge when the available indoor space is limited. This Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment provides the District with a comprehensive and objective evaluation of its current indoor spaces and ensures efficient facility utilization across the organization. In addition, community input and evaluating residents’ level of support for the potential planning of future indoor spaces is a key component of this document.
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Naperville Park District - Fort Hill Activity Center
CHAPTER ONE • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Population by Age - Comparison Over Time
14,000
12,000
10,000
In addition to considering community feedback and other data including demographics and trends, the Naperville Park District’s organizational guiding plans are influential in determining the direction of the District. The key organizational documents considered in formulating the Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment include: • 2023 Master Plan • 2023-2025 Strategic Plan • 2022 Community Interest and Opinion Survey
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
> 5 Years
5-9 Years
10-14 Years
15-19 Years
20-24 Years
25-29 Years
30-34 Years
35-39 Years
40-44 Years
45-49 Years
50-54 Years
55-59 Years
60-64 Years
65-69 Years
70-74 Years
75-79 Years
80-84 Years
85 Years <
2020 2016 2010
49.2%
The 2020 census data reflects a nearly even split population between the genders of the community: 49.2% male and 50.8% female. Taking into account the total population under age 19 (~26%) and the population ages 30-49 (~27%), this data continues to reflect Naperville as a community built for families. As referenced in the previous plan, it is important to note the large increase in the senior population (ages 55 and over) - empty-nester residents who raised a family in the community are choosing to stay in Naperville. The American Planning Association predicts “[o]lder adults to outnumber children by 2034 for the first time in
50.8%
American history” (Katz & Kaplan, p. 9). Further, “[b]y 2060, older adults and children together are projected to comprise more than 43 percent of the population, as compared with 38 percent in 2016. It is a scenario of old and young unlike any prior period in American history” (Katz & Kaplan, p.4). This senior sector of the population will continue rising, especially as life expectancy increases over time. Naperville is providing more senior living facilities and alternative housing for downsizing, allowing for aging in place. This growth further illustrates an increased need for senior-oriented facilities, as well as additional recreation/open space that provide opportunities for senior-oriented programs and activities. Given both of these demographic characteristics, the Park District should continue its application of “intergenerational” planning for all ages and abilities to experience a variety of parks and recreation opportunities throughout the community.
8 Naperville Park District | 2023 MASTER PLAN
DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS
Conducting an analysis of demographics and trends was essential to developing the Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment. Its purpose was to provide the Naperville Park District with insight into the general makeup of the population they serve and identify market trends in recreation. DEMOGRAPHICS • With a still-growing population, the District will need to strategically invest, develop, and maintain programs and facilities in relation to current and future residential growth. • Naperville’s aging population indicates a need for the District to refocus on opportunities for the 55+ age populations. • A high median household and per capita income suggests potential disposable income at both the individual and family levels - the District should be mindful of this when pricing programs and events. • Program offerings need to reflect an increasingly diverse population, supported by communications and public outreach; as such, the District will need to evaluate and consider shifting its program offerings over time. TRENDS National recreation trending data provide a broader perspective that helps to compare similarities or understand differences that are seen more locally. Currently, the top three sports most heavily participated in the United States are basketball, golf, and tennis – all of which have participation figures well above other sports. Additionally, pickleball continues to be the fastest growing sport in America and fitness trends continue to grow, with favorability shown for exercise that can be done in multiple environments including in a virtual class setting. Swimming, which is deemed to be a lifetime activity, continues to show strong interest; all aquatic activities saw moderate increases in participation nationally.
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CHAPTER ONE • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
SIMILAR PROVIDER ANALYSIS
CURRENT INDOOR SPACE UTILIZATION ANALYSIS The Naperville Park District’s Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment provides important insights regarding the capacity, usage patterns and programming needs of current facilities, while exploring the potential need for additional indoor space. As the demand for indoor recreation programs continues to grow, particularly in underserved areas like south Naperville, recommendations were developed to help optimize current facility use while guiding the potential future development of additional indoor space. KEY SPACE UTILIZATION FINDINGS • Fort Hill Activity Center operates at or above 70% capacity throughout the year. This is the industry benchmark for optimal use. However, high demand and physical location limit Fort Hill’s ability to expand programming or accommodate additional users. To help further illustrate recreational interest more locally, the project team conducted research on other indoor recreation facilities in and around Naperville. The information from similar providers focuses on the types of amenities and offerings they provide from a recreation perspective. Similar providers include public and private fitness facilities, other park districts and school districts, as well as nonprofit organizations. Fifty-one similar providers were researched to obtain information about the amenities and offerings they provide. The following five types of facilities were researched: • Fitness • Indoor Aquatics • Gym, Turf, and Event Space • Tennis and Pickleball • Activity and Recreation • Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center (ARRCC) operates below capacity, particularly on the upper level, which serves mostly the 60 and older age group. This facility could consider taking on additional programming, especially in the fitness and wellness categories, developing adult and teen offerings during non-peak times, repurposing underused rooms and reimagining them into multi-generational, flexible spaces, and opening the facility for more rentals and events by refreshing Community Hall. However, parking constraints at the facility must be considered when evaluating alternative programming and increased use. • While the 95th Street Center has the capacity to offer more fitness and enrichment programs, it is limited by its location since programming noise levels need to be minimized during the day to accommodate the building’s other tenants. • School gymnasiums, several of which are made available to the Park District through Intergovernmental Agreements with both school districts, are helpful but use limitations prohibit the District from growing high- demand programs like Naperville Youth Basketball. • Likewise, the Park District uses Naperville North High School’s indoor aquatics facility for swim programs. However, shared use of that space restricts its availability and limits the District’s opportunity to grow learn- to-swim and aquatic exercise programs.
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CHAPTER ONE • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
• NPD has several supporting indoor recreation spaces that contribute to overall programming through partnerships and lease agreements. While these facilities allow for NPD to better serve the community’s indoor recreation needs, they come with challenges that limit the potential for additional programming to maximize the space that is available. COMMUNITY INPUT PROCESS
Athletics
The community input process was integral in gathering both demographic and psychographic information essential to the project. Feedback was obtained through interviews with community leaders, multiple focus group sessions comprised of community members, open houses, and community surveys – including a statistically-valid version that was made available by invitation only to random Naperville households and an open version that anyone could complete. Surveys posed a wide range of questions regarding facility familiarity, usage, satisfaction, recreation program needs, and preference and willingness to pay questions regarding the addition of a potential future recreation facility. Data from the statistical and open surveys were reviewed separately.
GYMNASTICS
WALKING / JOGGING TRACK
PICKLEBALL
VOLLEYBALL
BASKETBALL
INDOOR RECREATION ASSESSMENT OPEN HOUSE · PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
KEY SURVEY FINDINGS • Fort Hill Activity Center was cited as the most frequently visited facility at the Naperville Park District. • The most highly rated facilities were Fort Hill Activity Center and Knoch Knolls Nature Center. • Statistical and open survey data (42% and 64% respectively) showed disagreement that there are enough indoor recreation facilities at the Naperville Park District. • Satisfaction with the number of recreation opportunities offered is high with 62% (statistical survey) and 56% (open survey) indicating that they are satisfied. Between 72-81% of respondents across all three feedback groups (statistical and open surveys and open house participants) indicated a strong interest in a pool for swim lessons, open swim, etc. • Willingness to pay for a new indoor recreation facility: º A new activity center with a pool was rated the highest in interest in the public sample with 72% of respondents that indicated they are willing to pay $85/year more in property taxes for this type of facility; 48% of respondents in the statistical survey indicated that they also would support this type of facility. º Support for an activity center with synthetic turf for a $75/year increase in property taxes was lower than that of an activity center with a pool. The fewest respondents (22% open sample & 26% random sample) would pay $75/year for an activity center with synthetic turf. º Support was significantly lower for a $60/year increase in property taxes for a multi-purpose activity center without a pool (22% open survey and 32% random survey).
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CHAPTER ONE • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
• South Naperville was identified by the highest percentage of respondents (28% of the statistical survey; 27% in the open survey) as the desired location for a new recreation facility. • It is important to note that 12% (statistical) and 14% (open) do not support a new recreation center, while 14% (statistical) and 12% (open) are undecided. • Both samples show high interest in both fitness and wellness programs (85%) and an indoor pool with accompanying aquatics programs (72%); this area also stood out as the largest unmet need in both survey samples. • Approximately one-third of respondents in both survey samples indicated an interest in more programming for adults over the age of 60.
CONCLUSION
The Naperville Park District’s Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment provides insight into the current state of its facility utilization with recommendations for implementing efficiencies, considering resident input on recreation interests and needs, and assessing the need for a potential future facility. As the demand for indoor recreation continues to grow in Naperville, conclusions and recommendations have been developed to optimize current facility use and guide future development of new and enhanced indoor recreation space. Overall, this assessment initiative brought to light four main areas for the District to focus on in the future: • Determine how to address the community’s strong demand for indoor aquatics, particularly for swim lessons, aquatic therapy, and fitness swimming. • Prioritize the expansion for indoor recreation in south Naperville (beyond the limited programs available at the 95th Street Center via a lease agreement). • Recognize any future indoor recreation programming needs to evolve and adapt, not only as national trends change, but also to address specifically the still growing and increasingly diverse population in Naperville. • Understanding Naperville’s older population will continue the trend of “aging in place” and the District needs to focus on providing a wider variety of fitness and wellness programs for older adults.
Naperville Park District - Fort Hill Activity Center
10
2 DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS
11
MARKET ANALYSIS
A key component of the Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment is a market analysis. The purpose of this analysis is to provide the Naperville Park District with insight into the general makeup of the population they serve and identify trends in recreation.
● Understanding WHO the Park District serves
Findings from this analysis establish a fundamental understanding that provides a basis for prioritizing the community needs for parks, trails, facilities, and recreation programs.
The demographic analysis describes the District’s population and its key characteristics such as age segments, race, ethnicity, and income levels. DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
METHODOLOGY Demographic data used for the analysis was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau and from ESRI, the largest research and development organization dedicated to Geographical Information Systems (GIS). All data was acquired in June 2024 and reflects actual numbers as reported in the 2010 and 2020 Census. ESRI estimates the current population (2024) as well as a five-year projection (2029). PROS utilized straight line linear regression to forecast demographic characteristics for 10- and 15-year projections (2034 and 2039). DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS BOUNDARY The District boundaries in Figure 1 were utilized for the demographic analysis, as well as the local recreational trend analysis.
Figure 1: Naperville Park District Boundaries DISTRICT POPULACE POPULATION The District’s population has seen an increase from 2010 to 2020 with an annual growth rate of 0.49%. In the previous four years (from 2020 to 2024), the growth rate dropped to -0.15% (Figure 2) . Currently, the population is estimated at 151,900 individuals living within 54,812 households (Figure 3) . Projecting ahead, the total population is expected to increase to 153,386 with residents living in 57,781 households.
Figure 2: Population
Figure 3: Households
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
AGE SEGMENT Evaluating the District by age segments, Naperville exhibits an even distribution. The District has a median age of 40.8 years old which is slightly older than the U.S. median age of 38.3 years old. Assessing the population as a whole, the District is projected to continue experiencing an aging trend. Over the next 15 years, the 55+ population is expected to grow to represent just over a third (37%) of the District’s total population. This is largely due to the increased life expectancies and the remainder of the Baby Boomer generation shifting into the senior age groups (Figure 4) . Within the field of parks and recreation, there are two commonly used ways to partition this age segment. One is to simply segment by age: 55-64, 65-74, and 75+. However, as these age segments are engaged in programming, the variability of health and wellness can be a more relevant factor. For example, a 55-year-old struggling with rheumatoid arthritis will need different recreational opportunities than a healthy 55-year-old who is running marathons. Therefore, it may be more useful to divide this age segment into “Active,” “Low-Impact,” and/or “Social” Seniors.
Figure 4: Age Segment Estimates & Projections
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
RACE AND ETHNICITY DEFINITIONS The 2020 Census defines race as self-identification with one or more social groups: White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, or a combination of these. Ethnicity refers to whether a person is of Hispanic/Latino origin. The categories reflect U.S. social definitions, not biological or anthropological ones. The 2020 Census data are not directly comparable to previous censuses, so caution is needed when interpreting changes in racial composition over time. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is treated separately from race in demographic analysis.
ɀ American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. ɀ Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. ɀ Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
ɀ Hispanic or Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. ɀ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. ɀ White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
RACE The District’s current population is diverse (Figure 5). In 2024, the population of White Alone residents is estimated to be about 62%, similar to the national average (60%). The second highest percentage represents Asian Alone residents at 23%, higher than the national average (6%). Two or more races is estimated to make up 7% of the District’s population, which is lower than the national average of 11%. White Alone is expected to decrease 14% over the next 15 years to approximately 48%. Asian Alone is expected to increase 8% to 31% in the same time frame.
Figure 5: Population by Race
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
ETHNICITY The District’s population was also assessed based on Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, which by the Census Bureau definition is viewed independently from race. Individuals who are Hispanic/Latino in ethnicity can also identify with any racial categories identified (Figure 6) . Based on the current 2024 estimate, people of Hispanic/ Latino origin represent approximately 8% of the District’s population, which is below the national average (19% Hispanic/Latino). The Hispanic/Latino population is projected to increase to 10% by 2039.
Figure 6: Hispanic Population
INCOME CHARACTERISTICS Residents in Naperville have increasing median household Income and per capita income projected over the next 15 years as shown in the chart to the left (Figure 7) .
HOUSEHOLD INCOME The District’s median household income ($148,219) is significantly higher than the state ($81,015) and national median income ($79,068). Assessing per capita income, the District ($69,547) is also higher than state ($45,843) and national ($43,829) averages (Figure 8) . These higher average income characteristics should be taken into consideration when NPD is pricing out programs and calculating cost recovery goals. The per capita income represents the total income divided by the total population count. The median household income is based on the sum of income earned by individuals over the age of 15 living under the same roof.
Figure 7: Income Characteristics
Figure 8: Comparative Income Amounts
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY While it is important not to generalize recreation needs and priorities based solely on demographics, the analysis suggests some potential implications for NPD (Figure 9) : ɀ With a growing population, the District will need to strategically invest, develop, and maintain programs and facilities in relation to current and future residential growth. ɀ The District’s aging population indicates a need to refocus on activities for the 55+ age segments. Adding more recreational activities for older adults, such as exercise classes or water activities, may prove to be beneficial in keeping that population active. ɀ The District’s high median household and per capita income suggests potential disposable income for program or membership fees. ɀ The District should ensure its diversifying population is reflected in its offerings, marketing/communications, and public outreach. With increasing diversity in race, ethnicity, and age, NPD should remain prepared to evaluate and potentially consider additional culturally relevant programs and activity offerings in the future.
Figure 9: Summary Data
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
RECREATION TRENDS ANALYSIS
The Trends Analysis provides an understanding of national, regional, and local recreational trends as well recreational interest by age segments. Trends data used for this analysis were obtained from Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI). All trend data is based on current and/or historical participation rates, statistically valid survey results, or NRPA Park Metrics. NATIONAL TRENDS IN RECREATION METHODOLOGY
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) Sports, Fitness & Leisure Activities Topline Participation Report 2024 was utilized in evaluating the following trends: ɀ National Recreation Participatory Trends ɀ Core vs. Casual Participation Trends
The study is based on findings from surveys conducted in 2023 Sports Marketing Surveys USA (SMS). The purpose of the report is to establish levels of activity and identify key participatory trends in recreation across the U.S. This study looked at 124 different sports/activities and subdivided them into various categories including sports, fitness, outdoor activities, and aquatics. OVERALL PARTICIPATION Approximately 242 million people ages six and over reported being active in 2023, which is a 2.2% increase from 2022 and the greatest number of active Americans in the last six years. This is an indicator that Americans are continuing to make physical activity more of a priority in their lives. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, recreation facilities reopened and team sports are slowly returning to pre-pandemic participation levels. At the same time, both outdoor and at-home fitness maintain popularity. The chart below depicts participation levels for active and inactive (those who engage in no physical activity) Americans over the past six years.
Figure 10: Active vs. Nonactive Trends
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
CORE VS. CASUAL PARTICIPATION In addition to overall participation rates, SFIA further categorizes active participants as either core or casual participants based on frequency of participation (Figure 11). Core participants have higher participatory frequency than casual participants. The thresholds that define casual versus core participation may vary based on the nature of each individual activity. For instance, core participants engage in most fitness activities more than 50 times per year, while for sports, the threshold for core participation is typically 13 times per year. In each activity, core participants are more committed and tend to be less likely to switch to other activities or become inactive (engage in no physical activity) than casual participants. This may also explain why activities with more core participants tend to experience less pattern shifts in participation rates than those with larger groups of casual participants. Increasing for the sixth straight year, 158.1 million people were considered core participants in 2022.
Total Core Activities
Figure 11: Total Core Activities
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
PARTICIPATION BY GENERATION The following chart shows 2023 participation rates by generation (Figure 12) . Fitness sports continue to be the go-to means of exercise for Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials. Over half of the Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z generation participated in one type of outdoor activity. Team sports were heavily dominated by Gen Z and nearly one-third of Gen X also participated in individual sports such as golf, trail running, triathlons, and bowling.
Figure 12: Participation By Generation
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
NATIONAL TRENDS IN GENERAL SPORTS PARTICIPATION LEVELS
The top three sports most heavily participated in the United States were basketball (29.7 million), golf (26.6 million), and tennis (23.8 million) which have participation figures well above other sports. Playing golf at an entertainment venue (18.5 million) and baseball (16.7 million) round out the top five. The popularity of basketball, golf, and tennis through the COVID-19 pandemic can be attributed to the ability to compete with a small number of participants while outdoors and/or properly distanced. Basketball’s overall success can also be attributed to the limited amount of equipment needed to participate and the limited space requirements necessary. Golf continues to benefit from its wide age segment appeal and is considered a life-long sport. In addition, target type game or golf entertainment venues have increased drastically (99%) over the past five years, as golf entertainment (e.g., Top Golf) has increased the sport’s popularity.
FIVE-YEAR TREND Today, pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States, by far with a 311.5% increase in the five-year trend. Similarly, outdoor soccer (23.4%) and basketball (22.7%) have experienced significant growth. Based on the five-year trend from 2018- 2023, the sports that are most rapidly declining in participation include roller hockey (-28.7%), rugby (-28.7%), and ultimate frisbee (-23.0%). ONE-YEAR TREND The most recent year shares some similarities with the five-year trends, as pickleball (51.8%) and golf - entertainment venues (18.8%) experienced some of the greatest increases in participation this past year. Other top sports with one-year increases include court volleyball (13.3%), ice hockey (9.6%), and cheerleading (8.3%). Sports that have seen moderate one-year increases, but five-year decreases are cheerleading (8.3%), track and field (5.8%), lacrosse (5.5%) and slow-pitch softball (5.3%). This could be a result of coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic with team program participation on the rise. Like their five-year trend, roller hockey (-9.6%), sand/beach volleyball (-5.1%), and rugby (-4.6%) have seen decreases in participation over the last year.
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
CORE VS. CASUAL TRENDS IN GENERAL SPORTS General sport activities, basketball, court volleyball, and slow pitch softball have a larger core participant base (participate 13+ times per year) than casual participant base (participate less than 13 times per year) (Figure 13) . Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most activities showed a decrease in their percentage of core participants, but these percentages for core users are slowly reaching their pre-pandemic levels.
Participation Levels National Participatory Trends - General Sports
% Change
Activity
2018
2022
2023
5-Year Trend 1-Year Trend
Basketball
24,225 24,240 17,841
28,149 25,566 23,595 15,540 15,478 13,018
29,725 26,565 23,835 18,464 16,655 14,074 13,582
22.7%
5.6% 3.9% 1.0%
9.6%
Golf (9 or 18-Hole Course)
Tennis
33.6% 99.0%
9,279
18.8%
Golf (Entertainment Venue)
Baseball
15,877 11,405
4.9%
7.6% 8.1%
Soccer (Outdoor)
23.4%
Pickleball
3,301 6,572 6,317 6,337 7,386 5,233 5,157 5,517 4,770 4,770 4,143 3,841 3,480 2,447 2,303 1,908 2,710 2,098 1,285 1,734 1,560
8,949 7,104 6,092 6,490 6,036 5,495 5,436 4,843 4,569 4,128 3,690 3,507 3,521 2,278 2,146 2,036 2,142 1,875 1,228 1,368 1,166
311.5%
51.8%
Football (Flag)
7,266 6,905 6,513 6,356 5,909 5,618 4,949 4,758 3,917 3,905 3,797 3,550 2,496 2,323 2,121 2,086 1,979 1,315 1,237 1,112
10.6%
2.3%
Volleyball (Court)
9.3% 2.8%
13.3% 0.4% 5.3% 7.5% 3.3% 2.2% 4.1% -5.1% 5.8% 8.3% 0.8% 9.6% 8.2% 4.2% -2.6% 5.5% 7.1% -9.6% -4.6%
Badminton
Softball (Slow Pitch)
-13.9% 12.9%
Soccer (Indoor) Football (Tackle) Football (Touch)
8.9%
-10.3%
Gymnastics
-0.3%
Volleyball (Sand/Beach)
-17.9%
Track and Field Cheerleading
-5.7% -1.1% 2.0% 2.0% 0.9%
Racquetball Ice Hockey
Softball (Fast Pitch)
Wrestling
11.2% -23.0%
Ultimate Frisbee
Lacrosse
-5.7% 2.3%
Squash
Roller Hockey
-28.7% -28.7%
Rugby
Participation Growth/Decline: NOTE: Participation figures are in 000's for the US population ages 6 and over Moderate Increase (0% to 25%) Large Increase (Greater than 25%)
Moderate Decrease (0% to -25%)
Large Decrease (Less than -25%)
Figure 13: General Sports Participation
Basketball Golf (9 or 18-Hole Course) Tennis Golf (Entertainment Venue)
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
NATIONAL TRENDS IN GENERAL FITNESS PARTICIPATION LEVELS
Overall, national participatory trends in fitness have experienced growth in recent years (Figure 14). Many of these activities have become popular due to an increased interest among Americans to improve their health and enhance quality of life by engaging in an active lifestyle. The most popular general fitness activities in 2023 were those that could be done in multiple environments such as at home, in a gym or in a virtual class setting. The activities with the most participation were walking for fitness (114.0 million), treadmill (54.8 million), free weights (53.9 million), running/jogging (48.3 million), and yoga (34.2 million).
FIVE-YEAR TREND Over the last five years (2018-2023), the activities growing at the highest rate were trail running (48.7%), Pilates training (30.6%), barre (21.6%) and yoga (19.1%). Over the same period, the activities that have undergone the biggest decline in participation include group stationary cycling (-34%), cross-training style workout (-29.5%) and traditional/road triathlons (-19.8%). ONE-YEAR TREND In the last year, fitness activities with the largest gains in participation were group-related, slow, intentional movement activities: Tai Chi (16.3%), Pilates training (15.0%), and barre (12.9%). This one-year trend is another indicator that participants feel safe returning to group-related activities. Trail running (12.3%) also saw a moderate increase indicating trail connectivity continues to be important for communities to provide. In the same span, fitness activities that had the largest decline in participation were boxing/MMA for fitness (-14.4%), traditional/road triathlons (-2.4%) and weight/resistant machines (-1.9%).
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
CORE VS. CASUAL TRENDS IN GENERAL FITNESS Participants of walking for fitness are mostly core users (participating 50+ times) and have seen a 2.7% growth in the last five years.
National Participatory Trends - General Fitness
Participation Levels
% Change
Activity
2018
2022
2023
5-Year Trend
1-Year Trend
Walking for Fitness
111,001 53,737 51,291 49,459 28,745 36,668 36,372 27,834 33,238 22,391 24,183 21,611 10,010 12,096 15,025
114,759 53,589 53,140 47,816 33,636 32,102 30,010 28,678 27,051 25,163 22,034 21,821 13,253 11,893 11,677 10,311
114,039 54,829 53,858 48,305 34,249 32,628 29,426 29,333 27,062 26,241 22,578 21,801 14,885 12,775 12,605 11,862
2.7% 2.0% 5.0% -2.3%
-0.6% 2.3% 1.4% 1.0% 1.8% 1.6% -1.9% 2.3% 0.0% 4.3% 2.5% -0.1% 12.3%
Treadmill
Free Weights (Dumbbells/Hand Weights)
Running/Jogging
Yoga
19.1% -11.0% -19.1%
Stationary Cycling (Recumbent/Upright)
Weight/Resistant Machines Free Weights (Barbells) Elliptical Motion/Cross-Trainer
5.4%
-18.6% 17.2% -6.6% 0.9% 48.7%
Dance, Step, & Choreographed Exercise
Bodyweight Exercise
High Impact/Intensity Training
Trail Running
Rowing Machine
5.6%
7.4% 7.9%
Stair Climbing Machine
-16.1% 30.6% -29.5%
Pilates Training
9,084
15.0%
Cross-Training Style Workout
13,338
9,248 9,787 6,355 6,268 5,531 5,192 3,803 3,394 1,780 1,350
9,404 8,378 6,610 6,227 5,524 5,434 4,294 3,948 1,738 1,363
1.7%
Boxing/MMA for Fitness
7,650 5,821 9,434 6,838 6,695 3,532 3,761 2,168 1,589
9.5%
-14.4% 4.0% -0.7% -0.1% 4.7% 12.9% 16.3% -2.4% 1.0%
Martial Arts
13.6% -34.0% -19.2% -18.8% 21.6%
Stationary Cycling (Group)
Cardio Kickboxing
Boot Camp Style Cross-Training
Barre
Tai Chi
5.0%
Triathlon (Traditional/Road)
-19.8% -14.2%
Triathlon (Non-Traditional/Off Road)
NOTE: Participation figures are in 000's for the US population ages 6 and over
Large Increase (Greater than 25%)
Moderate Increase (0% to 25%)
Moderate Decrease (0% to -25%)
Large Decrease (Less than -25%)
Participation Growth/Decline:
Figure 14: General Fitness Participation
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
LOCAL AQUATICS PROGRAMMING NEEDS PARTICIPATION LEVELS Swimming is a sport enjoyed by individuals of diverse ages and abilities, and continues to have strong participation. In 2023, fitness swimming remained the overall leader in participation (28.2 million) amongst aquatic activities (Figure 16).
FIVE-YEAR TREND Assessing the five-year trend, all three aquatic activities saw moderate increases in participation. ONE-YEAR TREND
In 2023, all aquatic activities saw moderate increases in participation which illustrates that facilities and programs are returning to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Swimming on a team (14.6%) saw the highest percentage increase in participation. CORE VS. CASUAL TRENDS IN AQUATICS All activities in aquatic trends have undergone an increase in casual participation (1-49 times per year) over the last five years.
National Participatory Trends - Aquatics
Participation Levels
% Change
Activity
2018
2022
2023
5-Year Trend 1-Year Trend
Swimming (Fitness) Aquatic Exercise Swimming on a Team
2.2% 7.5% 9.3%
7.2% 5.9%
27,575 10,518
26,272 10,676
28,173 11,307
14.6%
3,045
2,904
3,327
NOTE: Participation figures are in 000's for the US population ages 6 and over Participation Growth/Decline: Moderate Increase (0% to 25%) Large Increase (Greater than 25%)
Moderate Decrease (0% to -25%)
Large Decrease (Less than -25%)
Figure 15: Aquatics Participation
Recent feedback from a 2024 statistically-valid community survey highlights a strong level of interest and need for indoor aquatics facilities and programming. Aquatic facilities such as a lap pool and pool for swim lessons and warm water therapy were ranked among the most important needs by survey respondents for indoor recreation. Also, instructional and exercise aquatics programming have a high level of interest among the Naperville community according to survey responses. Finally, community population growth trends for both younger children and older adult age segments over the next 15 years will contribute to the demand for shallow and warm water amenities, which are essential for both swim lessons and therapeutic uses.
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CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
NATIONAL PARTICIPATION TRENDS IN AQUATIC EXERCISE To provide additional context on aquatic programming and participation trends, the SFIA released a “Single Sport Report” for Aquatic Exercise in 2024. The report details national participation statistics from an annual online participation-tracking study conducted during the 2023 calendar year by Sports Marketing Surveys USA (SMS), a Buffalo Groupe Company. The statistics from the report are highlighted in the following sections and available in the Appendix for further reference.
TOTAL AQUATIC EXERCISE PARTICIPATION TREND S
Core Participation
Figure 16: Aquatic Participation Rate
Figure 17: Core Participation
AQUATIC EXERCISE TRENDS
Core
Figure 18: Total Percent of US Total Participation
Figure 19: Core Aquatic Participation Rates
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