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AGE <br />Recreation and Age Association <br />A parks system provides for recreation and enjoyment of open space - activities that <br />appeal to all age groups. Still, certain park activities are associated with certain age <br />groups. Active recreation, such as skateboarding, hockey and playgrounds are usually <br />favored by younger people. Passive recreation, such as picnicking or fishing, is generally <br />associated with older people. <br />The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2004 Minnesota Outdoor Recreation <br />Participation Survey examined the association of recreation activities by adult age groups. <br />The survey found strong and moderate association among younger adults and active <br />recreation including ice skating/hockey outdoors, sledding, inline skating, downhill <br />skiing/snowboarding, and outdoor court sports (volleyball, basketball, tennis, horseshoes). <br />Older aged adults are found to have strong and moderate association with activities such <br />as nature observation and photography, visiting nature centers, visiting historic or cultural <br />sites, and walking/hiking. The survey associates people in their middle ages with <br />snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and horseback riding. Many activities, especially water - <br />related activities such as swimming, wading and boating, appear to be universally enjoyed <br />by adults of all ages in Minnesota. Of particular note to Lake Elmo is the survey finding that <br />adults age 35 to 44 have the highest per capita hours spent on outdoor recreation than any <br />other adult age group. <br />Lake Elmo Age Distribution <br />The United States 2000 Census provides a baseline for understanding Lake Elmo's age <br />distribution. Lake Elmo's age distribution in comparison to the age distribution within the <br />Twin Cities overall provides a point of consideration for how Lake Elmo's park system will <br />serve the community over the next 25 years. <br />Lake Elmo has proportionally more school -age youth (ages 5 to 19) than the Twin Cities, <br />and has about the same proportion of children younger than 5 years old as the Twin Cities. <br />Using the Twin Cities as a basis for comparison, Lake Elmo has typical to above average <br />number of children and youth. Youth are associated with high levels of park usage, <br />especially active recreation opportunities. <br />DRAFT Comprehensive Park Plan 3 13713.000 <br />