The Sport + Recreation Alliance, the umbrella organisation for 320 national governing and representative bodies for UK sport and recreation, including the Club, has today launched Reconomics Plus, an online resource to help the sector promote the value of outdoor recreation.

The resource, produced in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, provides the latest research on the benefits of outdoor recreation to the economy, health, education and communities, building on evidence first documented in a similar report in 2014.

Reconomics Plus demonstrates how time spent in green spaces can significantly counter obesity and improve mental health, issues that together cost an estimated £97 billion a year.

The Heritage Lottery Fund’s (2016) ‘State of the UK public parks 2016’ report found 90 per cent of families with children under five visit their local park at least once a month, while 70 per cent of 25-34 year olds use their local park.

Research undertaken in 2015 by the Outdoor Industries Association reported that 8.9 million people were active outdoors, with a further 18.2 million planning to be within 12 months.
Meanwhile, Public Health England’s report states: ‘Access to good quality green space is associated with a range of positive health outcomes including better self-rated health; lower body mass index scores, overweight and obesity levels; improved mental health and wellbeing and increased longevity in older people.’ Further to this: ‘Open space provides a platform for community activities, social interaction, physical activity and recreation, as well as reducing social isolation, improving community cohesion and positively affecting the wider determinants of health’.

Emma Boggis, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance said: “Our local parks, lakes, rivers and beaches are some of the nation’s best environments to get active. Outdoor recreation can take place across urban and rural areas and many of our members deliver programmes to encourage people of all ages to get active in the local environment.”
Click here to read the full report.