Recreation/Senior Center and Aquatic Center Expansion Task Force Agenda and Packet 2016 05 07 SUB

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B. Relevant Trends Demographic Trends Influencing Recreation Programming a. Boomer Basics Baby boomers are defined as individuals born between 1946 and 1964, as stated in "Leisure Programming for Baby Boomers.i' They are a generation that consists of nearly 76 million Americans. As baby boomers enter retirement, they will be looking for opportunities in fitness, sports, outdoors, arts and cultural events, and other activities that suit their lifestyles. Emilyn Sheffield, Professor of Recreation and Parks Management at the California State University, at Chico, in the NPRA July 2012 Parks and Recreation magazine article titled "Five Trends Shaping Tomorrow Today," indicated that Baby Boomers are driving the aging of America, with boomers and seniors over 65 composing about 39% of the nation's population'. b. The Millennial Generation Over 80 million people between the ages of 15 and 35 now belong to the Millennial Generation, the largest of any generation group.3 This group is highly diverse, with 42% of American Millennials identifying as a race or ethnicity other than "non- Hispanic white," as opposed to the 28% of Baby Boomers that identify as Non- Caucasian4. Growing up between the late 1980s and 1990s, Millennials were surrounded by rapidly changing technology. Eighty -one percent of Millennials now participate on social networking sites, utilizing these sites to meet new friends, find communities of similar- minded people, and support the causes that they believe in.5 Community is essential to Millennials; urban hubs are sought out for their ample place- making activities, public spaces, festivals, public art, education opportunities, and transportation options. Connectivity is extremely important to Millennials, who are using alternative modes of transportation more than any other generation. By utilizing trails to connect key places, recreation departments can help make Millennials feel more connected to their city. Youth Emily Sheffield, author of the article, "Five Trends Shaping Tomorrow Today," identified that one of the five trends shaping the future is the proportion of youth is smaller than in the past, however just as important. As of the 2010 Census, the age group under age 18 forms about a quarter of the U.S. population. 1 Linda Cochran, Anne Roshschadl, and Jodi Rudick, "Leisure Programming For Baby Boomers," Human Kinetics, 2009. 2 Emilyn Sheffield, "Five Trends Shaping Tomorrow Today," Parks and Recreation, July 2012, p. 16 -17. 3 The Colorado College State of the Rockies Project. MILLENNIALS IN THE WEST. A Survey of the Attitudes of Voters in Six Western States, 2015. 4 Samantha Raphelson, "Amid the Stereotypes, Some Facts About Millennials," National Public Radio, http:// www .npr.org/2014/11/18/354196302/a mid - the - stereotypes- some - facts - about - millennials) 5The Council of Economic Advisers. 15 ECONOMIC FACTS ABOUT MILLENNIALS. Executive Office of the President of the United States. 2014. City of Louisville, Colorado 8