New research lands in our email inbox every day. Recently, a group called the TurfMutt Foundation reported that a study shows 9 in 10 Americans want communities to prioritize providing public green space for residents’ health and well-being, and they desire more parks, walking trails and picnic spots near their homes.
From bustling activity hubs to tranquil nature escapes, public parks offer diverse experiences that cater to different preferences. Based on new research conducted for the TurfMutt Foundation by The Harris Poll, the Foundation unveils six distinct “Park Personality Types.”
“Our research revealed something fascinating: people utilize and benefit from parks differently,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which has advocated for the care and use of green spaces around us for over 15 years. “Understanding these park personality types can help communities better cater to the diverse needs of residents and can also help residents maximize the power of parks in their community.”
This article caught our eye because the group has a cute spokesdog, Mulligan The TurfMutt, who explained their mission: “The TurfMutt Foundation advocates for outdoor living and the care and stewardship of our yards, parks, schoolyards and other green spaces, for the benefit of all. By educating citizens about sustainability and the benefits of living landscapes, we are helping develop a greener, healthier quality of life for our families, communities and future generations.”
Then there was the appeal of the “What Park Personality Type are You?” question.
The six park personality types as identified by the TurfMutt Foundation:
1. Park Pros are experts at tapping into the diverse activities parks offer including walking and hiking and enjoying nature, and they take many indoor activities, such as working, exercising, dining and connecting with friends and family, to park settings.
2. Dog Park Enthusiasts ensure their pet’s exercise and socialization by visiting park trails and dog parks, which are critical to urban neighborhoods that don’t have large yards or access to dog-friendly spaces.
3. Picnic Players gather at park pavilion shelters and picnic tables, enjoying family barbecues, school reunions, family gatherings and more.
4. Nature Lovers enjoy birdwatching, appreciate landscape diversity, and want to see parks support pollinators and other local wildlife habitats with flowering plants, shrubs and trees.
5. Outdoor Educators want to improve education outcomes and behavioral issues in kids by taking learning outside. Study sessions in the grass, hands-on learning in an outdoor classroom science lab, and nature-based scavenger hunts are all part of their lesson plans.
6. Exercise and Sports Fans have a real appreciation for natural turf playing fields where they can exercise, play baseball, tennis, pickleball, golf and more, or cheer on their kids’ games.
Here in Great Bend, a lot has been done over the years to improve our parks. We’ve seen the creation of a dog park. This very week, improvements are being added at Heizer Park. We haven’t given up hope that the 281 Bypass Park will one day be improved, and the City’s Quality of Life Sales Tax will eventually pay for improvements at Brit Spaugh Park. Individuals, other taxing entities and civic organizations have gotten behind these efforts in the past and will continue to do so. While we're at it, why not work to see Great Bend again become a Tree City USA city?
June 1 marked the start of the meteorological summer season, and the official astronomical start of summer is coming soon, at 9:42 p.m. local time, on June 20, the summer solstice. Whether we’re in late Spring or early Summer, it’s a season to get to a park.
