Outdoor Recreation Planning

The Planning Division supports outdoor recreation in California by conducting research on opportunities and trends, providing planning guidance, and facilitating dialogue within the recreation community.

photo of Trends document cover and link to 2 mb .pdf document

Park and Recreation Trends in California (23 pages, 2 mb .pdf) (May 2005) There is little question that Californians have a love affair with the outdoors. Their pursuit of high-quality outdoor recreation experiences is unrelenting. This report is an element of the California Outdoor Recreation Plan, and shows how significant changes in the size and structure of California's population, changing participation patterns, and shifts in recreation styles and preferences will have a dramatic effect on the adequacy of existing park and recreation services.

photo of Health Benefits document cover and link to 660 kb .pdf

Health and Social Benefits of Recreation (48 pages, 660 kb .pdf) (March 2005) This publication from the California Outdoor Recreation Planning Program is directed toward park and recreation professionals, policy makers, health care providers, public safety officers and educators. The report documents the positive impacts that California’s parks, trails, scenic views, beaches, waterways, cultural and historical sites have on the physical, mental and social health of individuals and their communities.

California Recreation Policy
The State Park and Recreation Commission is charged with developing a Recreation Policy for the State of California in cooperation with other state agencies, interested organizations and citizens. See the 2005 Recreation Policy (1 mb .pdf), adopted at the September 23, 2005 Commisssion meeting.

California Outdoor Recreation Plan
The Planning Division publishes the statewide master plan for parks, outdoor recreation, and open space. The California Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) and associated research provide policy guidance to all public agencies – federal, state, local, and special districts – engaged in providing outdoor recreational lands, facilities and services throughout the California.

California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism
The independent, non-profit California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism fosters public and private efforts to provide quality sustainable outdoor recreation in California. The diverse membership includes representatives from the outdoor recreation industries, user groups, environmental organizations, academia, and recreation providers, united to improve marketing and communication, and increase funding and public support. California State Parks is a founding member of the Roundtable. For more information, see the Roundtable's website.

Statewide Trails Program & Planning
The Statewide Trails Program provides public information and technical assistance for trail-related issues affecting all California trails and greenways.

Park Planners Toolbox
The Planning Division has conducted a variety of outdoor recreation-related research. See Park Planners Toolbox for other documents, or contact the Planning Division for more information.