Welcome to the NEWcomer
Project Community Map!



The data used to create this map was gathered from January 2026-April 2026. This map shows the organizations and services around the North East Wisconsin Region which support immigrants and refugees as they resettle in the area.

Each sector shows what is available and reflects the perspectives of Newcomers as well as organizations.

A "Newcomer" is a person or family who has moved to the region or the United States in the past 5-10 years and is learning and adjusting to the main languages and cultures of our region.

To learn more about this project, please visit Hope & Help Together's project webpage .

Sectors

Basic_Needs Basic Needs Education Education Employment Employment Finance Finance Healthcare Healthcare Housing Housing Language_and_Literacy Language and Literacy Legal Legal Recreation Recreation Religion_and_Faith Religion and Faith Transportation Transportation

On this Page

Download Recreation PDF

Newcomer Perspective
of the Recreation Sector

We value recreation like parks and sports, but we need more opportunities and programs for families to enjoy together.

Map of Organizations
in the Recreation Sector

Map of organizations

Recreation Sector Analysis

32% of organizations that responded provide recreation services.

Please note: Not all respondents answered every question. As a result, the number of responses varies by question.


Newcomer Recreation Background

Which parks and recreation activities do you and your family participate in?

Parks / Playgrounds
47
None
32
Other / Unspecified Activity
22
Camping / Outdoor Recreation
6
Sports
6
Walking / Exercise
5
Social / Family / Church Activities
4
Indoor Recreation
3
Library / Children's Museum
2
YMCA
1

Parks Visited

Appleton / Unspecified Local Parks
20
Memorial Park
4
Jefferson Park
3
Telulah Park
3
High Cliff State Park
2
Menominee Park
2
Pierce Park
2
Erb Park
1
Lion Park
1
Lungard Park
1
Riverside Park
1

Which community parks and recreation activities do you know about?

State Parks
66
Public Pools
36
YMCA
33
Public Trails
27
Sports (Tennis / Basketball / Pickleball / Soccer)
23
City Park Programs for Children
21
High Cliff State Park (Sherwood)
21
County and State Fairs
18
Free Concerts
14
Community Cultural Celebrations
12
Plamann Park (Appleton)
10
1000 Islands Environmental Center (Kaukauna)
8
Public Fishing and Hunting
8
Chain of Lakes (Waupaca)
4
Heckrodt Wetland Reserve (Menasha)
4
Bubolz Nature Preserve (Appleton)
2

Parks, Sports, and Family Time

Recreational experiences were mixed across respondents, with some highlighting positive engagement in parks, sports, and family time.

About 30% (3 of 10 responses) reported visiting parks, and 20% (2 of 10) noted participation in sports such as basketball.

Another 20% (2 of 10) described having lots of opportunities for recreation, while 10% (1 of 10) specifically valued spending time with children.


Recreation Gaps and Interests

A small number (10%, 1 of 10) indicated that there are not many activities available, and 10% (1 of 10) expressed interest in learning how to skate.

When asked about improvements, respondents pointed to a desire for more opportunities to participate in recreation.


Affordable and Inclusive Opportunities

About 40% (2 of 5 responses) wanted to play more sports, while the remaining 60% (3 of 5) highlighted needs for more family activities, more affordable and accessible options, and additional programming such as singing activities.

Overall, responses suggest that while parks and sports are important community strengths, there is a parallel need to expand affordable, inclusive recreational opportunities for families and youth.


Recreation Services requested, offered, or planned

0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Sports-Based Opportunities
6%
3%
9%
Culturally Responsive Gathering Space
29%
3%
6%
Percent of organizations offering the service
Percent of organizations planning to offer the service
Percent of Newcomer respondents who requested the service

Newcomer Journey
for the Recreation Sector

Newcomers are all at different stages in this timeline depending on when they arrived in the US.

The organizations included in survey data may focus on one, more or all areas of the acculturation curve in the effort to help Newcomers thrive. Below the chart you will see the acculturation curve focus point(s) of the organizations included.

The Acculturation Curve adjusting to a new life

Euphoria - first couple weeks or month after resettlement

Culture shock - begins about 6 weeks after resettlement

Acculturation - usually takes 2-10 years depending on the age and life events of an individual

Stable stage - state of arrival

Newcomer Journey Curve

Euphoria

  • Appleton Area School District
  • Appleton Public Library
  • Bethel Lutheran Church
  • Building for Kids Children's Museum
  • Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Hope & Help Together

Culture Shock

  • Appleton Area School District
  • Appleton Public Library
  • Bethel Lutheran Church
  • Hope & Help Together

Acculturation

  • Appleton Area School District
  • Appleton Public Library
  • Bethel Lutheran Church
  • Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
  • Fox Valley Church, Kimberly, WI
  • Hope & Help Together

Stable State

  • Appleton Area School District
  • Appleton Public Library
  • Bethel Lutheran Church
  • Building for Kids Children's Museum
  • Fox Cities Performing Arts Center