EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS PROGRAM

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information

Year: 2023

In July 2022, the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) launched a campaign to improve awareness of parks and to provide more inclusive, equitable, and accessible park experiences. Championed by our Board of Supervisors, Experience the Outdoors added more than 70 activities to the FY 2022-23 calendar through the creation of three campaigns: Rad Regional Parks, a Ride on Mountain Biking Challenge, and a Parks 101 First-Timer Series. Curriculum is based on bringing people into nature, to experience recreational activities for the first time and to provide essential learning in a safe, non-threatening and fully inclusive environment – with a focus on expanding DPR’s audience to include new users, particularly underserved and underrepresented communities. Strategic partnerships make this possible and provide resources to help fund the program. In less than a year, park visitation is up and the face of clientele is becoming more diverse. Learning more with every event they host, the Experience the Outdoors planning team continues to identify and remove barriers that have historically prevented park visitation – things like park fees, equipment, transportation, and language offerings – while adding new activities in sync with industry data, trends, and customer requests.