UH poll: Houstonians want more entertainment
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From pro sports to theme parks, Houston residents are hungry for more ways to spend their free time, per a new survey by the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs.
Why it matters: When it comes to things to do, the city trails the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which already has both Women's National Basketball Association and National Hockey League teams — plus one major theme park and another under construction. Houston has none.
- "Houstonians want to see that change," says Mark P. Jones, a political science fellow at Rice University who worked on the survey.
Driving the news: Six in 10 Houstonians said they're either very or somewhat enthusiastic about bringing a WNBA team back to the city.
- Almost as many (57%) are very or somewhat enthusiastic about having an NHL team, per the survey.
The survey, conducted March 29-April 4, includes responses from about 1,400 registered Houston voters and has a margin of error of ± 2.62%. It builds on an earlier report about city services and quality of life.
Stunning stat: Almost two-thirds of respondents said they are enthusiastic about the possibility of a destination theme park opening in the area.
- More than half said they would visit such a theme park at least once a year.
What they're saying: "We found a strong interest among Houstonians for getting out and being active," Renée Cross, researcher and senior executive director of the Hobby School, said in a statement.
- "The support for more entertainment and sporting options reflects this enthusiasm."
Other fun facts: 48% of Houstonians reported having visited Hermann Park, while 46% said they went to Memorial Park and 33% visited Discovery Green during the past year.
Between the lines: Younger people (ages 18-34), those with children at home and those with a college degree were most likely to have visited one of the city's major public parks within the last year.
- 58% of people ages 18-34 visited Hermann Park, for example, compared to 41% of people 55 and older.