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In today's digital landscape, "mobile-first" is often synonymous with "let’s build an app." However, for cities and parks and recreation departments—organizations dedicated to serving diverse communities—relying solely on an app can inadvertently create barriers for users, impacting access, engagement and ultimately play.
The App Paradox: Control vs. Accessibility
While smartphone apps can offer a tailored user experience, they also present challenges:
- Download Hesitation: A recent study highlighted that users are downloading fewer apps than before, indicating a trend of "app fatigue." (ZDNET, 2025).
- Inclusivity Concerns: Not everyone owns a smartphone, and among those who do, issues like limited storage or older devices can make downloading new apps impractical or totally skippable.
- Operational Challenges: For government entities, developing and maintaining an app can be resource-intensive, facing hurdles such as limited staff expertise and unrealistic maintenance expectations.
Implications for Parks & Rec
The evolving landscape indicates that web-based, mobile-optimized solutions can effectively engage users without the need for dedicated apps. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), SMS-based interactions and responsive mobile websites can provide equally seamless experiences without the friction of app downloads.
Consider how other industries have approached this. When it comes to online shopping, retailers offer full-featured mobile websites that make it easy to browse, purchase and track orders without an app. This broadens their accessibility, limiting friction when it comes to making a near instantaneous purchase as soon as potential customers can versus being met with additional barriers that could prevent a sale.
In contrast, some parking systems have adopted an app-only model, which can lead to user frustration. If you’re in a new city with limited data, poor signal or perhaps you don’t speak the language, being forced to download and sign into an unfamiliar app just to park can be a major blocker.
For parks and recreation departments, a mobile-friendly approach means connecting with community members across various devices and technological proficiencies, ensuring broader accessibility for all users. The primary objective is to maximize community participation. Whether it's registering for a workshop, booking a facility or accessing event information, technology should simplify these processes:
Checkout: Browser-based integrations with digital wallets like Apple and Google Pay can help residents skip the “I really have to enter my credit card information again?” panic.
Calendars: Implement QR codes that link to facility calendars at physical locations, allowing instant access to availability without requiring app installations.
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Flexible communication tools: text-based notifications and QR code sign-ups make it simple for residents to engage on their own terms. No more slow email communication or requiring residents to show up in person for something that can be covered via text. Utilize text messages for timely updates, catering to users who may not have internet access.
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At Rec Technologies, we've observed that reducing barriers enhances community participation. While apps have their place, many departments benefit more from intuitive, mobile-friendly web solutions that are easily accessible to all.
When Does a Native App Make Sense?
Native smartphone apps are best suited for your most engaged, repeat users—the folks who interact with your product or service weekly or even daily. Think of gym members monitoring class schedules, or parents tracking swim class progress and report cards. For these high-frequency interactions, a native app can offer added convenience and deeper functionality. At Rec, we do see apps as one piece of the broader mobile-first ecosystem, just not the default solution. We believe an app can be a tool for Parks and Recreation departments when deciding the right level of tech and engagement channels with their communities, whether that’s an app, a website, SMS or all of the above.
Redefining "Mobile-First" with Rec
Partners who work with Rec have seen their mobile signups go from 0 to 60%+
We believe that being mobile-first means removing barriers, not adding them. For many residents, booking a swim lesson on their phone might take place in the school pick up line, necessitating a quick and easy experience. This means that meeting your residents where they’re at means empowering parents to book on their phones instead of in-person, by phone or at a computer. For example, in Torrance, California, mobile registration used to be nonexistent and parents often came to register their children in-person due to the website being hard to use. After switching to Rec, mobile registration jumped from 0% to 63% and in-person registrations went to zero—a shift that reflects a need materializing in real life for real residents.
“Once we switched registration to Rec, almost all of our enrollments are now via mobile. We can now give residents the tech and service they expect in 2025.” Garrett Craig, Recreation Manager for the City of Torrance
For parks and recreation departments, moving to mobile-first registration means fewer support issues, higher adoption rates and technology that actually meets their communities where they are. A mobile-first strategy doesn’t have to mean an app—it just has to mean better access, for everyone.