Top 7 Parks and Recreation Website Priorities in 2026

For many residents, parks and recreation websites are the gateway to their community. It’s where they discover programs, register for activities, and find the spaces that bring people together.

This is why digital expectations continue to rise. Residents want quick answers, mobile-friendly tools, and transparency, while departments need technology that simplifies operations and keeps data secure.

This article explores seven priorities that will define successful parks and recreation websites in 2026. Follow these strategies and best practices to help improve community engagement and online user experience.

1. Making Parks and Recreation Website Accessible to All

Web accessibility will be a big focus for many entities as compliance deadlines begin in April 2026 and continue into April 2027.

Meeting the DOJ ADA compliance standards helps individuals with disabilities fully interact with online content, from browsing program details, understanding the features of a facility, or completing registrations. For parks and rec departments, this means focusing on accessibility features like:

• Screen reader compatibility for residents with visual impairments
• Keyboard navigation for those who cannot use a mouse
• Alt text for images to describe visual content
• Logical page hierarchy for clear structure and easy navigation
• Readable text and sufficient color contrast for clarity

Website accessibility solutions, including those offered by CivicPlus^®, can help parks and recreation departments implement these accessibility features and better support inclusive digital experiences.

2. Designing with Mobile Users in Mind

Mobile-friendly government websites are imperative. About 91% of Americans own a smartphone, and over half of all traffic to federal websites comes from mobile devices.

For parks and rec departments, a mobile-first site can mean the difference between a quick, successful registration and a frustrated resident calling for help, pulling staff away from other priorities.

Here are four best practices for mobile-friendly design:

Mobile-First Layouts

When building digital content or a new web page, start with the smallest screen and build up. This approach helps keep navigation simple and user-friendly for those using mobile devices.

Additionally, use collapsible menus, prioritize essential information at the top, and avoid large blocks of text that require endless scrolling.

Touch-Friendly Buttons

Design buttons to be large enough to tap easily. How large can vary.

Apple, Google, and Microsoft all make different recommendations, while accessibility guidelines recommend a minimum touch target size of 44×44 pixels.

A good rule of thumb for mobile buttons is to also leave enough space between clickable elements to prevent accidental taps.

Simplify Forms and Processes Wherever Possible

To help make forms mobile-friendly, consider replacing text-heavy fields with dropdowns, checkboxes, or pre-filled options. This will reduce typing on small screens, making forms faster and easier for users to fill out.

Next, aim to streamline registration and payment workflows for mobile users. Fewer steps and clear instructions make it easier for residents to complete tasks with their devices. Look for opportunities to eliminate unnecessary fields and enable features like autofill and digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay) to make transactions quick and painless.

Fast-Loading Mobile Pages

Speed matters. Slow-loading pages lead to frustrated users and higher bounce rates.

To improve mobile page loading speeds, consider the following strategies:

• Optimize images: Use smaller, higher-quality images to reduce file size and load times.
• Minimize code: Reduce the amount of code on a Web page or site to decrease the time it takes to load.
• Use AMP: Implement Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) to help optimize mobile sites for speed.
• Test and refine: Regularly test site performance and make adjustments based on user feedback and performance metrics. Tools like Acquia Web Governance track website health and page speed over time, helping parks and rec departments maintain a fast and responsive mobile experience.

3. Simplifying Website Navigation

Website navigation is about more than website design. Navigation is one of the most influential factors in building trust and user satisfaction.

Research shows that only 47% of residents report high overall satisfaction with their local government, but those who find their local government website easy to navigate are two times more satisfied (88% compared to 43%).

Too often, navigation reflects internal department structures rather than how residents search for information. When menus are cluttered or labeled with jargon, users get frustrated, abandon tasks, or call for help, which can add strain to staff resources.

Best Practices for Simplified Navigation

• Think like a resident: Organize content around what users want to do—register for a program, reserve a facility, or check hours—not around internal divisions.
• Use clear, intuitive labels: Replace technical or department-specific terms with plain language. For example, “Programs & Activities” is clearer than “Community Services.”
• Limit menu options: Avoid overwhelming users with too many choices. Group related tasks under broad categories and keep top-level navigation concise.
• Prioritize key actions: Highlight high-demand tasks like registration or event calendars in the main navigation or through quick links.
• Test and refine: Use analytics and resident feedback to identify where users struggle and adjust site navigation accordingly.

4. Creating a Seamless User Journey

One of the biggest challenges in government web design is maintaining a consistent user experience across multiple department sites. When visual styles, navigation, or layouts vary between departments, residents can feel lost and question whether they’re in the right place.

Visual consistency is key to a seamless user journey. It reassures visitors that they’re interacting with the same trusted source and helps them complete tasks without unnecessary confusion.

To create a unified experience, parks and recreation websites should include:

• A universal header and footer: Include consistent branding elements like the municipal logo, search bar, and quick links to essential pages (e.g., contact information, emergency alerts). Make sure these appear in the same position across all pages so users always know where to find them.
• Consistent navigation structure: Use identical menu layouts and labeling conventions throughout the site. For example, if “Programs & Activities” is a top-level menu item on the homepage, it should appear in the same spot on every page. Avoid changing terminology or menu order between sections.
• Standardized layout templates: Apply uniform page structures for program listings, facility details, and event calendars to make content predictable and easy to scan.
• Typography and color palette: Stick to a defined set of fonts and colors that align with municipal branding for a cohesive look and feel. Keep accessibility standards in mind when making these selections.

5. Strengthening Cybersecurity

Parks and rec departments handle sensitive resident data, from payment details to personal information, making them a target for increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Aging technology, limited IT staff, and the rise of AI-driven threats only amplify the risk.

To strengthen cybersecurity for parks and recreation websites, consider:

• Modernizing legacy infrastructure: Older systems often lack modern security features, leaving vulnerabilities that bad actors can exploit.
• Building cyber workforce capacity: Many local governments operate with minimal IT staff, sometimes just one person. Closing the talent gap requires creative solutions, such as partnering with colleges for internships, leveraging regional Security Operations Centers (SOCs), or outsourcing to managed service providers.
• Strengthening governance and policy alignment: Policies should align with recognized frameworks like NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 to help create a structured approach to manage and reduce cybersecurity risks.
• Securing sustainable funding: Cybersecurity can be resource draining. To combat this, programs like the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and legislation such as the PILLAR Act can provide funding opportunities for municipalities.

6. Building Community Trust Through Transparency

While trust in the federal government remains low at 33%, trust in local government is much higher at 74%. Transparency can help parks and recs maintain that level of trust.

That starts with real-time updates. Residents expect timely information about facility closures, program changes, and events. Prominent banners, alerts, or notifications on the homepage are some ways to deliver critical updates that are easy for users to find without digging through a site.

Cost transparency also plays a critical role in building trust. Residents want to understand how fees, rentals, and program costs support the sustainability of parks and rec services.

Publishing cost recovery data and financial highlights allows departments to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and can help justify requests for additional funding. When residents can see how program fees and facility rentals contribute to maintaining amenities and expanding offerings, transparency can help reinforce that decisions are data-driven and made with the community’s long-term benefit in mind.

7. Boosting Community Connection

Studies show that residents who find it easy to interact with local government websites are more likely to participate in programs and events. For parks and rec departments, the website is a great tool to help foster those connections.

To help strengthen community engagement, consider including features like the following on parks and rec websites:

• Embed social feeds or share buttons to keep residents connected to updates and encourage interaction across platforms.
• Use feedback forms to provide simple ways for residents to share ideas or report issues, reinforcing that their voices matter.
• Highlight real examples of community impact, such as photos and testimonials from recreation programs, to make the site feel personal and inspiring.
• Ensure recreation programs automatically sync to the main website calendar. This prevents missed opportunities and makes it easy for residents to see all upcoming events in one place.

Maximize the Impact of Your Parks and Recreation Website

From accessibility and mobile-first design to cybersecurity and personalization, each strategy helps parks and recreation departments deliver services more efficiently and meet the expectations of today’s digital-first world.

CivicPlus Municipal Websites is purpose-built to support these goals with features designed for parks and rec departments, including:

• Drag-and-drop CMS tools to make it easy to update program details, events, and news without relying on IT support.
• Built-in tools for social media, alerts, and email subscriptions keep residents informed and engaged across every platform.
• Resident-first features that let them register for programs, pay online, and access facility information anytime.
• WCAG-aligned design and enterprise-grade cybersecurity protections.
• AI-assisted editing tools to make it simple for staff to generate new content or optimize existing content over time.

This solution helps departments deliver a digital experience that’s faster, easier to manage, and more trustworthy. Exactly what residents expect.

Experience it for yourself. Take a self-guided tour of Municipal Websites today.

FAQs: Parks and Recreation Website Best Practices

What features should a parks and recreation website include to best serve the community?

Think about what residents need most. A great parks and recreation website should make it easy to find events and get answers quickly. That means having an interactive event calendar, clear contact information, and details about facilities like hours and locations. And integrate social media so updates reach residents wherever they are.

What types of information should be included on a parks and recreation department homepage?

Your homepage is prime real estate that should answer the most common resident questions at a glance. Include announcements and urgent updates, a snapshot of upcoming events, quick links to registration and facility reservations, and operating hours for parks and recreation centers. Consider adding community news or success stories to help make the page feel welcoming.

What accessibility features should a parks and recreation website offer for users with disabilities?

Accessibility is about making sure everyone can use your site without barriers. Features like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and alt text for images are essential. Offering text resizing, high-contrast mode, and a clear page structure also helps residents with visual or cognitive challenges navigate a parks and rec site more easily.

How do parks and recreation websites typically handle updates about closures or special notices?

The best approach is to make updates impossible to miss. Use prominent banners or pop-up alerts on the homepage for urgent notices. Pair that with email and/or SMS notifications for registered users and social media updates for broader reach. Remember, when using multiple channels, keep the information consistent across the channels to help build trust and reduce resident confusion.