Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Page | 3 APPENDIX C • While households are shrinking nationwide, for Pleasanton population per household increased slightly from 2.72 in 2000 to 2.78 persons in 2013, slightly larger than in Alameda County at 2.70 person per household. California currently has the second highest average in the nation at 2.93. • Our Nation becomes more culturally diverse. By 2020, the Hispanic population will reach 80 million, comprising one in five US residents. English as the language used at home has dropped from 87% in 1990 to 84.3% in 2000. Within the Pleasanton City boundaries, Hispanic populations increased by 45% and Asian populations increased by 119% between 2000 and 2010. • There will continue to be a growing population of individuals with special needs. In 2005, almost 22 million of older adults in our Nation had a functional deficit, and 12 million of this group had an activity limitation. This percentage will grow over time as the population ages. By 2030, these figures are projected to grow to 38 million and 22 million respectively, assuming both rates of functional and activity limitations remain the same. Changing Life Styles • Both “Gen X’s” and “Gen Y’s” crave fun, fast‐paced and action‐packed experiences; seek the pursuit of pleasure and the stimulation of the senses. They prefer collective activities, media and technology‐based leisure and extreme sports.  Generation X” is the generation born after the baby‐boom ended, between 1966 and 1976. Technologically speaking, Gen X has witnessed the rise of cable TV, video games and internet. Their political experiences and cultural perspectives were shaped by the end of the cold war, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and a series of US economic calamities such as the 1973 oil crisis, the 1979 energy crisis and the early 1980’s economic recession.  “Generation Y”, also known as the Millennial Generation or Generation Next, were born roughly between mid‐ 1970 and 2000. Expression and acceptance are highly important to this generation. They are very familiar with digital technologies, media and communications, including texting, IM, YouTube and Facebook. They often find comfort in on‐line gaming. Their economic outlook has been hard hit by the late 2000’s economic recession. • The high‐tech world has given birth to a generation of sedentary lifestyles. The high‐tech/high‐touch generation shares common leisure activities such as internet surfing, computer and video games, social networking and TV watching. As a result, obesity prevalence for adults increased from 10% in 1990 to 24% in 1996, and was projected to rise to 35% by 2015. • Situated in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pleasanton has convenient access to scenic mountains, natural wooded areas and great bodies of water. While this provides opportunities for people both seeking high‐risk challenges and yearning for spiritual quests, walking and bicycling become the most popular activities statewide. Despite this, Walkscore.com gave Pleasanton only a 50 rating meaning a somewhat walkable city. In contrast, San Francisco and Berkeley were the fourth and fifth most Who do Youth Participate With? Friends 86% Family 57% Themselves 35% CA State Parks Opinions & Attitudes Survey 2007