The Impact of Trails on Communities. Jim Wood Chief, Office of Greenways & Trails Division of Recreation and Parks

Transcription

1 The Impact of Trails on Communities Jim Wood Chief, Office of Greenways & Trails Division of Recreation and Parks

2 Why Trails and Greenways? Resolution of the Florida Greenways and Trails Council Recognizing the Economic Value of Trails and Greenways to Florida (2010) 2

3 Why Trails and Greenways? 3

4 Why Trails and Greenways? 4

5 Why Trails and Greenways? 5

6 Florida Visitors Visitors increasingly seek active vacations and experiences that immerse them in the places they visit. 6

7 Florida Visitors 67% of Florida visitors include nature-based activities in their travel. Source: 2009 VISIT FLORIDA Research 7

8 Florida Visitors 65 % of Florida visitors say that outdoor recreation is very important. Source: 2011 Florida Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey 8

9 Florida Residents 72 % of Florida residents say that outdoor recreation is very important. Source: 2011 Florida Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey 9

10 Demand for Trail Information 10

11 Demand for Trail Information Where can I bicycle in Florida? one of the most frequent information requests at VISIT FLORIDA s Welcome Centers 11

12 Demand for Trail Information 12

13 Mapping Routes with Trails Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail 13

14 Homeowners Want Trails Trails are the most desired community amenity that homeowners seek when buying a home. National Association of Home Builders,

15 Lakewood Ranch, Florida A recipient of the 2008 American Trails Developer Award Trails and sidewalks are the #1 amenity that new buyers and residents enjoy in the community. 15

16 Trails in Developments 10 Best-Selling Master-Planned Communities These developments are apt to include a handful of lifestyle anchors that buyers consider vital, such as good schools, parks, walking trails, community pools, town centers, playgrounds, sports, and other organized activities. 16

17 Trails in Developments 10 Best-Selling Master-Planned Communities The backbone of this community is a four-mile Discovery Trail linking neighborhoods and amenities, and more than 1,000 acres of open space. 17

18 Trails in Developments 10 Best-Selling Master-Planned Communities The Woodlands ~ Texas 18

19 Homeowners Want Trails 19

20 Homeowners Want Trails 20

21 Homeowners Want Trails 21

22 Property Values Homes adjacent to rail-trails sell faster and closer to list price than those that are not. Craig Della Penna, Realtor 22

23 Property Values Making Tracks to the Katy Trail Some builders reported up to a 25 percent premium for having their properties back up against the trail. Dallas Developer 23

24 Return on Investment The annual economic impact of cyclists ($60 million) is estimated to be almost nine times greater than the one-time expenditure of public funds to construct the bicycle facilities ($6.7 million). NC Dept of Transportation 24

25 Return on Investment Three trails ECRRT study supported $42 Million 516 Jobs 25

26 Jobs Every $1 million spent on construction of off-street multi-use trails yields 9.6 jobs 26

27 Impact on Businesses One-quarter (25.5%) of gross revenue for businesses along the trail was directly attributed to trail users 27

28 Impact on Businesses About one-third (32.4%) of businesses said that they have expanded or plan to expand their business operations because of the trail. 28

29 Tourism Destinations Trail users that were surveyed represented nearly every state in the continental United States and parts of Canada 29

30 Trail Towns Great Allegheny Passage Trail trailtowns.org 30

31 Trail Towns Length of Trail and Economic Impact Studies show that the longer a trail is, the farther people will travel to visit it, the longer they will stay, and the more money they will spend. 31

32 Promoting Trail Towns Florida Trail Association 32

33 Promoting Trail Towns 33

34 Florida Trail Towns For downtown Dunedin, the Pinellas Trail has been an economic engine. Bob Ironsmith Dunedin Economic Development Director Downtown Dunedin business occupancy rates: 1980s (before the trail) 30% Today (with the trail) 95% 34

35 Florida Trail Towns City of Winter Garden West Orange Trail 35

36 Florida Trail Towns City of Inverness Withlacoochee State Trail 36

37 Florida Trail Towns City of Inverness Withlacoochee State Trail 37

38 Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail Closure for Repaving 38

39 Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail Closure for Repaving Normally on the weekend, (the restaurant) is packed with bicycles... our life blood is the river and bike trail. St. Marks restaurant owner 39

40 Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail Grand Reopening 40

41 Destination Trails Capital City to the Sea Loop Trail 41

42 The Plan for the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS) 42

43 Inaugural Winner,

44 Questions? Jim Wood