The global health crisis that took over 2020 has left several people around the world yearning for the outdoors. As states across the country continue to reopen, many have begun to plan their trips outside.

1. People Expected to Visit
More Parks and
Outdoor Venues
in 2021
Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters

2. The global health crisis that took over 2020 has left several people around the world yearning for the
outdoors. As states across the country continue to reopen, many have begun to plan their trips
outside.
Most states carry out their plans in phases, prioritizing areas with low COVID-19 activity to ensure
the public’s health and safety. It means people are choosing to visit nature parks, hiking trails, and
other natural sights to avoid crowds in enclosed spaces.
The State of the Parks
In late 2020, national and state parks reported increased foot traffic as cities and states lifted
lockdown protocols. The following data is the year-to-date visitorship for October:
 Shenandoah National Park reported an increase of 14%
 Amistad National Recreation Area reported an increase of 16%
 Catoctin Mountain Park reported an increase of 55%
These numbers were compared with the visitorship data on the same month from the previous year,
confirming researchers’ theories that more people have begun exploring the outdoors to stave off
cabin fever without breaking social distancing rules.

3. The State of Homes
The previous year saw several people migrate from the urban jungles to enjoy the comfort of suburbia.
As companies make the permanent shift towards remote work, more people are expected to move out of
cities.
This migration is expected to affect the home improvement market in the country. Without the daily
commute, people have more time to spend on projects that enhance their homes.
 Wells Fargo senior equity analyst Zachary Fadem says home improvement spending can reach $2
billion in the coming months.
 The National Gardening Association reported that 35% of households across the country have
begun growing their food at home.
Experts, from public health officials to economists, expect a behavioral shift in the coming months. With
states reopening gradually, more people are expected to venture out, mostly into large open spaces,
keeping in mind that the COVID-19 crisis is still present.

4. References:
https://www.thebestgutters.com/leaflock-gutter-protection
https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2020/12/28/isolation-pandemic-caused-her-form-new-
intense-relationship-nature-she-was-hardly-alone/?arc404=true
https://www.farmerfoodshare.org/farmer-foodshare/2017/6/15/gardening-boom-1-in-3-american-
households-grow-
food#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20National%20Gardening,up%20200%20percent%20since%2
02008.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/10/12/2106776/0/en/DIY-Home-Improvement-
Market-Growth-Trends-and-Forecasts-2020-2025.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/09/urban-flight-means-home-improvement-trends-will-become-a-
sustained-shift.html