“It is a good sign in a nation when things are done badly. It shows that all the people are doing them. And it is bad sign in a nation when such things are done very well, for it shows that only a few experts and eccentrics are doing them, and that the nation is merely looking on.” -GK Chestertong
1. Sports. Specifically, basketball, swimming, and gymnastics. Pretty much every community of any reasonable size has a community pool and a community basketball court. There are at least 6 basketball courts and 3 lap pools within a 10 minute drive of my house -- that I know of! -- and all get regular use. Gymnastics is also reasonably popular.
2. Logo design. I'd wager there are way more logo designers today than ever before. Also, this was not a compelling example IMO.
3. Cars. This one is more complicated, but it's really safety regulations that push homogeneity. First, I'll assert that sacrificing participation for fewer bodies splattered across the pavement is a good thing. And, second, again, that's probably a false choice -- I'd wager that there are a larger total number of people designing/making/modifying cars today than ever before. Maybe even a larger percentage of the population (thanks, youtube).
This works for other examples too. E.g., climbing will be added to the next Olympics. The Olympic versions of the sport are what I would call extremely refined, but climbing is more popular than ever.
When TONS of people do a thing, and the rewards for doing it well are reasonably good, that is when you get refinement.
edit: typo left in for reflexive humor