CPRE Needs Assessment and Level of Service Standards

Question 1

NRPA's '10-Minute Walk' initiative establishes what as a benchmark for urban park access?

Accepted Answer

Every resident within a 10-minute walk (approximately half a mile) of a park

Answer

NRPA's '10-Minute Walk' initiative establishes that every person in every community should have safe, accessible park access within a 10-minute walk — roughly half a mile. This has become a widely adopted LOS benchmark for urban park equity planning.

Question 2

In a recreation needs assessment, what distinguishes 'normative needs' from 'felt needs'?

Accepted Answer

Normative needs are defined by professional standards; felt needs are expressed directly by community members

Answer

Normative needs are defined by professional benchmarks or national standards (such as NRPA acreage guidelines), while felt needs are what community members themselves say they want or need — typically gathered through surveys or public engagement. A rigorous needs assessment addresses both types.

Question 3

A parks agency uses GIS mapping to identify areas of the city where residents live more than half a mile from any park. This analysis is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A park gap analysis

Answer

A park gap analysis uses spatial data — typically GIS — to identify geographic areas (often called 'park deserts') where residents lack adequate access to parks based on defined distance or service area standards. It is a core tool for equity-focused parks planning and LOS evaluation.

Question 4

Which approach to setting Level of Service (LOS) standards tailors benchmarks to the specific community's demographics, usage patterns, and local conditions rather than applying a uniform national formula?

Accepted Answer

Agency-based LOS standards

Answer

Agency-based LOS standards are developed from the agency's own service data, local demographic profiles, and community input — reflecting what that specific community needs and values. NRPA now recommends agency-based standards over prescriptive national acreage formulas as more contextually relevant.

Question 5

A parks director is conducting a comprehensive recreation needs assessment. Which data collection method provides the most statistically representative picture of community-wide recreation preferences?

Accepted Answer

A statistically valid random sample survey of the general population

Answer

A statistically valid random sample survey provides generalizable data about the entire community — including non-users of parks and recreation services. Public meetings, comment cards, and focus groups with current users all over-represent active participants and the most vocal community members, creating significant selection bias.

CPRE - Certified Park and Recreation Executive Practice Test

CPRE - Certified Park and Recreation Executive Practice Test

CPRE Needs Assessment and Level of Service Standards