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Chapter 2: Trends 12 <br />TR <br />E <br />N <br />D <br />S <br />that take away from family time on weekends. Adult commuters will need time <br />to get back from work before participating in activities, and scheduling must also <br />reflect that. <br />Busy schedules also have implications for volunteerism. It is becoming more <br />challenging to recruit new volunteers and those interested are often in need of <br />opportunities with short time commitments or one time events like park clean up <br />days or native planting events. <br />Fiscal Challenges <br />For the past 10 years, parks and recreation departments have been asked to do <br />more with less. This has led to creative ways to provide recreation programming, <br />including increases in partnerships, and finding new funding sources. <br />In many other communities, it has also meant a reduction in staff and resources, <br />leading to deferred maintenance and a halt on park system expansion. Further, <br />the existing park amenities have aged and require increasing maintenance, repair, <br />removal, and replacement. <br />Parks and Open Space as Economic Drivers <br />As cities become more strategic with their investments, parks provide opportunities <br />to strengthen economic development and redevelopment because they enrich the <br />quality of life for residents and create value for a community. The 2005 Report on <br />the Economic Value of Open Space found that many types of open spaces from <br />nature preserves to greenways, wetlands, and lakes have a positive effect on nearby <br />property values in the Twin Cities. To increase neighborhood desirability, many <br />new developments include a central green, common natural open space, a trail <br />corridor, or a park. <br />Sustainability <br />Sustainability is often described as a three legged stool, held up by environmental, <br />economic, and social elements. Many of the aforementioned trends touch on one <br />or more of the “legs” but for a park system to remain resilient for the long run, it <br />must address all of these issues. <br />Socially, parks and recreation are striving to be inclusive of all community <br />members. Places and activities that are loved by all of the community are more <br />likely to be protected, preserved, and looked after. <br />Economically, parks and recreation provide services as a strong value in order to <br />retain and develop funding sources. <br />Environmentally, parks and recreation allow people to encounter and make <br />connections with the natural world, while also protecting wildlife habitat and <br />native landscapes.