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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