The TurfMutt Foundation Touts the Power of Parks for Fall Family Fun and Well-Being

The TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of backyards, public parks, school yards and other green spaces, urges Americans to enjoy their community green spaces this fall. A recent study, conducted by The Harris Poll for the Foundation, highlights how essential managed green spaces are for family fun and community well-being.

"Fall is an ideal time forgetting outside," says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. "We urge families to strengthen their connection with their local parks as the seasons change. These areas offer significant health benefits, from stress reduction and improved mood to providing vital hubs for physical activity."

The TurfMutt research proves Americans universally value the public parks:

• A Must-Have, Not a Luxury: Most Americans (89 percent) reported in the study that a good public park system is a top community amenity. Additionally, 92 percent want more or better maintained public green space (public parks, school yards, dog parks, sports fields, etc.) in their community.

• The Hub for Family Fun: Study findings show nearly all Americans (96 percent) use green spaces like parks for recreation. Top activities include socializing like having a picnic or dining outdoors (53 percent), letting dogs socialize (32 percent) or bringing kids to play (30 percent).

• Prioritizing Fitness & Activity: A vast majority of respondents (89 percent) feel communities should prioritize providing public green spaces for community health and well-being. Americans use public green spaces for physical activities, such as taking a walk/run (76 percent), playing/watching a sport (47 percent), working out (36 percent), or playing/watching an outdoor game (35 percent).

• Valued Over Other Amenities: Roughly three-quarters of the study participants (74 percent) find public green spaces more valuable than other community amenities, such as an indoor pool or fitness center. In fact, 75 percent would prioritize public green space when looking for a new home.

To learn about the power of parks and other green spaces around us, visit TurfMutt.com.

Photos to illustrate the power of parks can be found here: http://bit.ly/4gQhpqQ

About the TurfMutt Foundation
TurfMutt, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. The Foundation is title sponsor of “Lucky Dog,” the Emmy Award-winning CBS broadcast television show in support of dog rescue and rehabilitation. Both TurfMutt spokesdogs have been rescue dogs, and Mutt Mulligan is a cast character on the show, where her “Mulligan Minute” segments teach viewers about the benefits of green space. In 2024, the Great Lawn at Louisville’s award-winning Waterfront Park on the Ohio River was renamed the TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn as part of a $1 million sponsorship. Championed by Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Scholastic, Discovery, Weekly Reader, and the USBGC Global Learning Lab, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.