Tech Trends in Parks and Recreation: 2023 and Beyond

Our parks are the heartbeat of our community. For parks and recreation leaders responsible for caring for and maintaining open spaces that have lasted generations, the techniques used to manage programs and content with residents are not impervious to change. Instead, a constant evolution of technology, management practices, and recreational focus is critical to ongoing engagement and relevancy.

After attending the 2023 NRPA conference (5/5 would recommend), we’re excited to share the top trends we expect to see in 2024 and how we plan to evolve our tech strategies to support the leaders who care for our communities.

See the top tech trends in parks and recreation below.

Virtual Engagement and Augmented Reality (AR)

In 2023, virtual engagement became a game-changer for parks and recreation departments. Virtual tours, augmented reality experiences, and interactive apps allowed park and recreation leaders to extend their reach and engage with wider audiences. In 2024, we can expect even more sophisticated AR applications, enhancing visitor experiences and creating new educational opportunities.

Virtual engagement and augmented reality aren’t just gimmicks but powerful tools to enrich the park experience. Consider these possible AR applications for our parks and public spaces:

• Interactive Guided Tours: Create self-guided tours of parks and historical sites. Visitors can use their smartphones or AR glasses to access additional information, historical facts, and interactive elements as they explore the area.
• Educational Experiences: Offer educational content like interactive wildlife and plant identification. Users can point their devices at plants or animals and receive information about them in real time.
• Art Installations: AR art installations can bring a new dimension to public spaces. These installations can be temporary or permanent and may change over time, providing an ever-evolving experience.
• Navigation and Wayfinding: AR apps can help visitors find their way around a park or community space by overlaying digital directions in the real world. This application is beneficial for large parks or areas with complex layouts.
• Environmental Awareness: Raise environmental awareness by letting visitors visualize how an area might look after reforestation efforts or learn about climate change’s impacts.
• Interactive Playgrounds: AR can enhance playgrounds by introducing interactive games and activities that encourage physical activity and learning.
• Historical Reenactments: AR apps can recreate historical events or scenes in the location where they initially occurred, allowing visitors to experience history in a more immersive way.
• Public Art Discovery: Highlight public art installations within a community. Users can scan the artwork to learn about the artist, its inspiration, and its significance to the area.
• Fitness and Exercise Apps: Encourage physical activity by gamifying exercise in public spaces. Users can engage in scavenger hunts, fitness challenges, or other activities while exploring the park.
• Community Events Promotion: Yes, you can use AR as a marketing tool. Parks and community spaces can use AR to promote upcoming events, concerts, or gatherings by creating interactive posters or virtual flyers.
• Environmental Impact Assessments: Provide real-time information on the environmental impact of human activities in parks, such as littering or pollution. Use such data to raise awareness and promote responsible behavior.
• Wildlife Viewing: Help park-goes spot and identify wildlife in their natural habitats, providing an educational and conservation-focused experience.
• Geo-Tagged Storytelling: Enable the creation of geo-tagged stories or historical narratives that users can access at specific locations within a park, adding a layer of storytelling to the environment.

As technology continues to evolve, expect AR applications that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, offering a truly immersive experience.

Sustainability and Smart Infrastructure

Environmentally-focused parks and recreation leaders inherently focus on sustainability in every process. Fortunately, awareness of sustainability issues is growing among the average resident. Smart infrastructure, including energy-efficient lighting, water-saving technologies, and waste management systems, will continue to be at the forefront in 2024. These innovations reduce environmental impact and lead to cost savings for municipal departments.

In 2024 and beyond, we’re expecting to see growing use of the following smart infrastructure items:

• Solar-powered streetlights can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while improving safety.
• Green roofs on public buildings or structures in parks can help with temperature regulation, reduce energy consumption, mitigate urban heat island effects, and provide habitat for local wildlife.
• Rain gardens are landscaped areas designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff, reducing the load on municipal stormwater systems and improving water quality.
• Bike lanes and bike racks encourage sustainable transportation options, reduce traffic congestion, and promote physical fitness.
• Electric vehicle charging stations in public parking areas encourage the use of electric vehicles, reducing emissions and promoting cleaner transportation.
• Community gardens in parks provide residents with opportunities to grow food, promote local agriculture, and enhance community engagement.
• Sustainable public restrooms in our parks and public spaces with water-efficient fixtures, renewable energy systems, and greywater recycling in public restrooms can significantly reduce water and energy consumption.
• Microgrid systems in critical public facilities, such as emergency shelters or community centers, can ensure continuous power supply during outages and promote energy resilience.

Smart infrastructure benefits the environment and helps park authorities better manage resources. Expect continued advancements in renewable energy solutions, automated water management systems, and waste reduction strategies that make parks more eco-friendly and cost-effective.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Harnessing the power of data has long been a cornerstone for effective park management, but with tight budgets and resources, it remains vital. In 2023, data analytics tools provided insights into visitor behavior, facility usage, and program effectiveness. In 2024, expect even more sophisticated analytics platforms that offer real-time data, enabling parks and recreation professionals to make informed decisions and adapt to changing needs. Imagine what you could do with the following tools:

• GIS (Geographic Information Systems): GIS platforms like Esri ArcGIS can help parks and recreation departments manage, analyze, and visualize spatial data. Use GIS tools for site selection, mapping trails and facilities, monitoring environmental changes, and more.
• Asset Management Software: These platforms, such as Cityworks or Cartegraph, assist in tracking and maintaining park assets, such as playgrounds, benches, and facilities. They enable predictive maintenance, work order management, and cost optimization.
• Visitor Experience Analytics: These tools can provide insights into visitor behavior and preferences. Use visitor experience data to improve visitor services, enhance park layouts, and optimize marketing efforts.
• Reservation and Booking Systems: Platforms like our CivicPlus^® Recreation Management system offer analytics to optimize park facility reservations, program scheduling, and capacity planning.
• Security and Surveillance Analytics: Advanced surveillance systems use AI and analytics to enhance park security by identifying unusual behaviors or potential threats.
• Budget and Financial Analysis Tools: Financial reports from your recreation management software help department leaders manage budgets, track expenses, and make data-driven financial decisions.
• Weather and Environmental Monitoring Systems: Weather monitoring services provide real-time weather and air quality data. Use weather data to make safety-related decisions and adjust programming in response to environmental factors.
• Social Media Management and Archiving: Tools like our CivicPlus Social Media Archiving solution can help you monitor sentiments and comply with public record requests.
• Volunteer and Staff Management: Recreation management tools that help you schedule volunteers can help you optimize workforce productivity and improve staffing decisions. Bonus content: Learn how to get youth involved in community volunteer events.

Data is the key to improving park services and making them more responsive to community needs. Look for advanced data analytics tools that provide real-time data, predictive analysis, and user-friendly interfaces, enabling park managers to make data-driven decisions that enhance visitor experiences.

CivicPlus® is an excellent choice in state-of-the-art parks and recreation software for all your department needs, including instructor scheduling. Our solution specialists are ready to speak with you for all your recreation management needs.