October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 56

DATA
Why is data so important? In
simplest terms, data helps us to
understand, discover and make
things better. It's like a collection
of clues that are put together to
create a clearer
picture of the
question or topic at hand. The
learnings, patterns, trends and
relationships that emerge can be
used to solve problems, inform
decisions and determine impact.
What is quantitative data vs.
qualitative data? Data is largely
considered quantitative in nature,
meaning that if it can be counted
or converted into a number, it
is quantitative data. Data also
comes in qualitative forms, such
as text, images, audio, video
and other non-numeric qualities
that often provide rich context,
perspective and sometimes a
voice to the lived experience.
The most ideal approach, and
most difficult to implement, is
measure both quantitative
and qualitative data to truly
understand what is happening.
The combination of both
helps describe the " real-world "
experience behind the numbers.
Where should we start with
to
What counts as
data? Anything that
can be measured!
data? There is no shortage of data
in the park and recreation field.
In fact, so much available data
exists that many professionals
find themselves overwhelmed and
even apprehensive about where
to start. The best place to start is
with a focus. Ask the question,
" What am I trying to accomplish
with data? " Is there a question requiring
an answer, a problem that
needs to be solved, or even a decision
that must be made where
data can help? Having a data focus
gives agencies the direction
necessary to find success with
building meaningful insights and,
eventually, data stories.
Data helps us to understand, discover
and make things better. It can help us
solve problems, make decisions and
determine impact.
Quantitative examples:
✓Number of visitors by
recreation center and park
✓Usage hours
✓New or preferred program
requests
✓Online survey responses
✓Website analytics (e.g.,
number of views and
downloads, click rates)
✓Operating expenditure per
capita
✓Percentage of revenue to
operating expenditures
✓Annual budget by category
✓Condition of park
infrastructure or equipment
✓Instructor-to-attendee ratio
✓Number of staff
✓Acreage of parkland
✓Demographic characteristics
of residents
✓Percentage of residents
living within a 10-minute
walk to a park
Qualitative examples:
✓Parents' feedback
submitted online, in person
or by phone
✓Comments shared at a
community engagement
gathering
✓Public sentiments on social
media
✓Emotional images or videos
of users in the park
✓Quotes about residents'
experiences or interests
✓Reflections from
community members
56 Parks & Recreation | O CTOBER 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G

October 2023 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2023 - Parks & Recreation

October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Intro
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover1
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover2
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 1
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 2
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 3
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 4
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 5
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 6
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 7
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 8
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 9
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 10
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 10a
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 10b
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 11
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 12
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 13
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 14
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 15
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 16
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 17
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 18
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 19
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 20
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 21
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 22
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 23
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 24
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 25
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 26
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 27
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 28
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 29
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 30
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 31
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 32
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 33
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 34
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 35
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 36
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 37
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 38
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 39
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 40
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 41
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 42
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 43
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 44
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 45
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 46
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 47
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 48
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 49
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 50
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 51
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 52
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 53
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 54
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 55
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 56
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 57
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 58
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 59
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 60
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 61
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 62
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 63
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 64
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 65
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 66
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 67
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 68
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 69
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 70
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 71
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 72
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 73
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 74
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 75
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 76
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 77
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 78
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 79
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 80
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover3
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - Cover4
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2021
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com