Economic Benefit of Parks
- Pinicon Ridge Park: 280,000
- Morgan Creek Park: 151,329
Economic Benefit of Trails
Health Benefit of Parks & Trails
According to the Economic & Health Benefits of Cycling in Iowa 2011 report, recreational bicycle riders (assuming they are physically fit and ride the amount of time/distance as reported in the surveys) are estimated to save the State of Iowa $73,942,511 in health care costs.
A Brown University study found that if each American walked one hour a day we could reduce healthcare costs annually by $20 billion. (1995)
Additionally, a 2004 study from the National Trails Training Partnership quantifies the benefits of money spent on trail development from a health standpoint. The conclusion is that for every dollar spent on trails nearly three dollars of public health benefits are produced.
Environmental Benefits
Greenways, which help conserve plants and trees, provide a valuable contribution toward pollution control because they mitigate water, air and noise pollution. (National Park Service 1990)
According to a study conducted at the University of Calcutta, India, one tree’s contribution over 50 years in controlling air pollution, soil erosion, soil fertility, recycling water and humidity is worth a total of $196,250. (Oregon Department of Forestry 1994)
Want to learn more about the value of parks and trails? Here are some quick facts about the benefits of these areas in our community.
Starting an activity program reduced the risk of dying by 51% in men who became physically active when compared to those who remained sedentary. (Blair, 1993).
For each additional mile walked or run by a sedentary person, that individual would add an extra 21 minutes to his/her life. (RAND Corporation, 1993)
A recent study by psychologists found that pleasant events such as dinner with friends or a weekend hike in the woods gave a boost to the immune system that lasted two to three days. (Sachs and Segal. “Mind & Body,” New Woman. December 1994, p. 50).
Union Pacific Railroad found that 80% of its employees believed that their exercise programs were helping them be more productive at work: 75% thought that regular exercise was helping them achieve higher levels of relaxation and concentration at work. (The Economic Benefits of Regular Exercise 1992)
“It is not surprising that the increase of juvenile crime in many places directly corresponds to general decreases in national, state and local investments in recreation and parks.” – R. Dean Tice, Executive Director, NRPA
Without increased amount of natural habitat, forest lands, wetlands, cultural sites and recreation land, the continued degradation of habitat will continue which will undoubtedly lead to additional Endangered Species Act listings, complete with the attendant public contention and economic disruption. (Creating a Conservation and Recreation Legacy 1994)
