The Impact of Trails on Communities Jim Wood Chief, Office of Greenways & Trails Division of Recreation and Parks
Why Trails and Greenways? Resolution of the Florida Greenways and Trails Council Recognizing the Economic Value of Trails and Greenways to Florida (2010) 2
Why Trails and Greenways? 3
Why Trails and Greenways? 4
Why Trails and Greenways? 5
Florida Visitors Visitors increasingly seek active vacations and experiences that immerse them in the places they visit. 6
Florida Visitors 67% of Florida visitors include nature-based activities in their travel. Source: 2009 VISIT FLORIDA Research 7
Florida Visitors 65 % of Florida visitors say that outdoor recreation is very important. Source: 2011 Florida Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey 8
Florida Residents 72 % of Florida residents say that outdoor recreation is very important. Source: 2011 Florida Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey 9
Demand for Trail Information 10
Demand for Trail Information Where can I bicycle in Florida? one of the most frequent information requests at VISIT FLORIDA s Welcome Centers 11
Demand for Trail Information 12
Mapping Routes with Trails Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail 13
Homeowners Want Trails Trails are the most desired community amenity that homeowners seek when buying a home. National Association of Home Builders, 2008 14
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
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
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
Trails in Developments 10 Best-Selling Master-Planned Communities The Woodlands ~ Texas 18
Homeowners Want Trails 19
Homeowners Want Trails 20
Homeowners Want Trails 21
Property Values Homes adjacent to rail-trails sell faster and closer to list price than those that are not. Craig Della Penna, Realtor 22
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
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
Return on Investment Three trails ECRRT study supported $42 Million 516 Jobs 25
Jobs Every $1 million spent on construction of off-street multi-use trails yields 9.6 jobs 26
Impact on Businesses One-quarter (25.5%) of gross revenue for businesses along the trail was directly attributed to trail users 27
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
Tourism Destinations Trail users that were surveyed represented nearly every state in the continental United States and parts of Canada 29
Trail Towns Great Allegheny Passage Trail trailtowns.org 30
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
Promoting Trail Towns Florida Trail Association 32
Promoting Trail Towns 33
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
Florida Trail Towns City of Winter Garden West Orange Trail 35
Florida Trail Towns City of Inverness Withlacoochee State Trail 36
Florida Trail Towns City of Inverness Withlacoochee State Trail 37
Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail Closure for Repaving 38
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
Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail Grand Reopening 40
Destination Trails Capital City to the Sea Loop Trail 41
The Plan for the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS) 42
Inaugural Winner, 2008 43
Questions? Jim Wood 850-245-2052 Jim.M.Wood@dep.state.fl.us 44