City Survey Focuses On Updating Sports Programs For Children

The Tulsa Parks and Recreation Department is asking for your kid’s opinions on what sports they want to play in upcoming years. The survey is part of a national initiative. Leaders say they’ve seen changes in what sports are popular over the years and they want to make sure they are catering to what kids want to play now.

The department is asking all kids ages eight to 18 what their sports preferences are. The questions include asking what they play right now, what they want to play, why they choose to participate, how they get to practices or games, and more.

Parks Director Anna America said this is something that has been needed for a long time.

”There are sports that used to be really popular that aren’t as popular, new sports have come along, this is a nationwide issue, and I don’t know that we as a park department have really adapted,” America said.

The survey can be done by using the QR code on the signs found at many of the local city parks and only takes about five minutes to complete. You can also take the survey by Clicking Here.

Park leaders say they believe the parks and facilities could be used better if they knew what kind of fields or courts need to be put in. For example, America says baseball used to the most popular option for kids years ago, but now the sport has tapered off. She said they have several baseball fields in their parks that go mostly unused and could be repurposed with something else more useful.

“We really want to hear their voices so we can be doing programming and getting them out there so these kids can be doing what they want to do, and what will motivate them to get out and be active and be healthier and so many benefits that come with sports,” America said. “We want to make sure we are offering something the kids will actually want and use.”

The survey closes at the end of April and leaders say they are hoping to have the results by mid-summer to get the ball rolling on new sports options.