Town of Chapel Hill, NC

• Together, we’re building and maintaining sustainable parks and green spaces for current and future generations.
• Together, we’re building thriving communities focused on health and well-being.
• Together, we’re building high-quality programs and spaces accessible and inclusive for all.
• Together, we help people play and connect - through art, athletics, camps, and more.

Follow Us on Social Media in July

Join us as we highlight the people, spaces and programs in Chapel Hill that have built up our beautiful and strong community.

We want to see how you’re celebrating, too. Share your photos and videos using the hashtags #BuildTogetherPlayTogether  and #ParkAndRecMonth2025

Park and Recreation Professionals Day on July 18

Can we get a round of applause? Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation wouldn’t be the wonderful resource it is without our incredible staff! We are so thankful for the team we’ve built and the passion that drives their work forward every day.

This year’s theme, “Build Together, Play Together” is a reminder of the contributions of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — who maintain our country’s close-to-home parks. 

NRPA Park and Recreation Month Key Messages

According to a 2024 NRPA Park Pulse poll more than 276 million people in the United States visited a local park or recreation facility at least once during the past year.

More than 7 in 10 (73%) U.S. residents have at least one local park, playground, open space or recreation center within walking distance of their homes

Being with family and friends is a top reason respondents use park and recreation facilities. 

In the United States, eighty-six percent of adults seek high-quality parks and recreation when choosing a place to live.

Ninety-one percent of people agree that parks and recreation is an important service provided by their local government. 

Health and Wellbeing

Parks and recreation encourages physical activity by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swimming pools, and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles.

In the United States, 92 percent of adults say they experience a positive mental health boost after spending time at their local parks.

Environmental Resilience

Parks and recreation encourages physical activity by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swimming pools and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles.

Parks lower ground temperatures with tree canopy, clean water, reduce flooding, and contribute to healthier air.

The most common park and recreation agency sustainability actions are planting trees, transitioning to native and climate-adaptable plants and trees; and updating and retrofitting buildings and other park infrastructure.

Economic Impact

Local public park and recreation agencies in the United States generated nearly $201 billion in economic activity and supported almost 1.1 million jobs that boosted labor income by more than $63 billion.

Economic research has demonstrated consistently that homes and properties located near parklands have higher values than those located farther away. Higher home values not only benefit the owners of these properties, but also add to the tax base of local governments.

Many local park and recreation agencies spur tourism to their respective locales, generating significant economic activity, including (but not limited to) increased sales at local restaurants and hotels.