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The Modern Recreation Agency 2026 Survey

Help shape the modern Recreation Agency
Parks and recreation departments are evolving quickly, balancing rising community expectations, staffing challenges, and increasing operational complexity.

Xplor Recreation is conducting this short survey to better understand the current state of the industry and where it's heading next. Complete the survey to be entered into a draw for a $100 gift card.

🕒 Takes about 12–15 minutes
📊 Responses will be anonymized
📄 Participants will receive early access to the report
Section 1: About You
1.Which best describes your role?
2.What city size population does your agency serve?
3.Where is your department or agency located? (State/Province)
Section 2: Industry Challenges
4.What are the top challenges your agency is facing today? (Select up to 3)(Required.)
Section 3: Operational Efficiency
5.How would you describe your current operational efficiency?
Very efficient
Somewhat efficient
Neutral
Somewhat inefficient
Very inefficient
6.What are your biggest operational pain points? (Select up to 3)(Required.)
Section 4: Technology & Systems
7.Approximately how many separate software systems does your agency use across all departments?

(Think across all departments — finance, HR, facilities, programs, etc. — not just recreation management software.)
8.How connected are those systems with each other?
Fully integrated
Mostly integrated
Partially integrated
Mostly disconnected
Completely disconnected
9.How would you describe your agency's overall technology maturity today, across all the systems you use?
Leading edge
Above average
About average
Behind peers
Significantly behind peers
10.How satisfied are you with your current recreation management software (registration, booking, and program management platform)?
Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Neutral
Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
11.Which technology capability areas are most in need of improvement at your agency? (Select up to 3)(Required.)
12.How much staff time do you estimate is spent on manual administrative tasks each week?
13.Which tasks take up the most time or would benefit most from automation? (Select up to 3)(Required.)
14.How confident are you in the data used to make operational decisions?
Very confident
Somewhat confident
Neutral
Not very confident
Not confident at all
15.What best describes your agency’s current use of AI?
16.Where do you see the greatest potential for AI in your agency's operations? (Select up to 3)(Required.)
17.What is preventing greater AI adoption?
18.Does your agency have policies in place to guide the secure and compliant use of AI?
Section 5: Community Engagement
19.What are your primary channels for communicating with community members? (Select all that apply)
20.How effective is your agency at reaching community members who do not regularly participate in programs?
Very effective
Effective
Neutral
Ineffective
Very ineffective
21.What is your biggest community engagement challenge?
22.What changes are you seeing in your community’s needs or expectations? (Select up to 3)(Required.)
Section 6: Revenue Priorities & Cost Recovery
23.Has your department experienced budget reductions in the past 12 months?
24.If your department has experienced budget reductions, what has been the biggest impact? (Select up to 3)
25.What has been the primary driver of budget pressure?
26.Have budget changes impacted the importance of revenue generation for your department?
27.Which revenue opportunities are you actively pursuing?
28.If you could solve one operational challenge overnight, what would it be?
Section 7: Looking Ahead
29.How well do you believe your parks and recreation department is meeting the needs of your community?
Very well
Fairly well
Neither well nor poorly
Fairly poorly
Very poorly
30.What is your top priority for the next 12–24 months?
31.How do you feel about your department’s ability to meet community needs next fiscal year?
Very optimistic
Somewhat optimistic
Neutral
Somewhat pessimistic
Very pessimistic
Thank you for sharing your perspective. Your input will directly shape The Modern Recreation Agency 2026 Report, launching at NRPA this September.
32.Enter your email here if you'd like early access to these findings.