Free Public Lands Admission for Children and Spillovers in Family Recreation.

WELL-being; EVALUATION of human services programs; RECREATION; FAMILIES; RACE; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; INCOME; FAMILY relations; BACKPACKING

This study evaluated the Every Kid in a Park program to understand recreation and the contextual interaction between family resources, race, and recreation costs in families with young children. Using a large, nationally representative data sample from the American Time Use Survey (N = 5,119), we analyzed changes over time in recreation patterns of different socioeconomic groups before and after the initiation of the Every Kid in a Park program of the United States National Park Service. We found that free admission corresponded with overall increased frequency of hiking with a child for individuals in affected households. Changes in hiking patterns were concentrated among higher-income families, whereas no changes in family recreation were associated with socioeconomically disadvantaged populations (based on income). The findings have important implications, considering that outdoor recreation links with positive youth development, higher family cohesion, and improved overall family well-being. Additionally, results support the effectiveness of programs targeting children to increase recreation among family members. Highlights: The study evaluated the frequency of hiking with children, a form of outdoor family recreation in the context of the Every Kid in a Park national recreation program in the United States. Past research established that family recreation correlated with positive social and psychological outcomes and relational building in families. This study found that program timing corresponded with increased frequency of hiking with a child for family members of eligible children. Data patterns also demonstrated strong responsiveness among higher-income families and no responsiveness among lower-income families, suggesting that the initiation of the program linked with income-based gaps in the recreation evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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