Northeast Regional Office 2133 Market St, #222 Camp Hill, PA 17011 717-238-1717 Patricia Tomes Program Coordinator
Economic Impact of Rail-Trails Trail User Surveys Results and Comparison
2006 The Trails Surveyed Pine Creek Rail Trail 2008 Perkiomen Trail 2009 Schuylkill River Trail 2007 - Heritage Rail Trail* *Survey was done privately
Pine Creek Rail Trail 62 mile trail between Jersey Shore and Wellsboro, PA Rural recreational area fishing, hunting, hiking, boating Largest communities Jersey Shore 4,482 Waterville 468 (estimated) Wellsboro 3,328 Trail managed by PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 1,049 user surveys were completed between the end of March and the end of October, 2006
Destination Trail
Perkiomen Trail 20 mile trail between Green Lane Borough and Pawlings Road near Valley Forge, PA Rural, suburban environment Largest Communities Green Lane Borough 584 Schwenksville Boro. 1,693 Collegeville Boro. 8,032 Trail management: Montgomery County Department of Parks and Heritage Services 694 completed survey forms collected April-October 2008
Schuylkill River Trail Three sections of open trail Philadelphia to Valley Forge Pottstown to Birdsboro Hamburg to Auburn and Landingville Travels through urban, rural and suburban areas Trail User Survey will continue for one full year, ending in October 2009
Local (Community)Trail
It makes for a bike excursion that is rich in history, Americana, Victoriana, and a stunning view of the skyline of Philly www.trailink.com review of Schuylkill River Trail - Valley Forge to Philadelphia
HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL 21 mile trail between York, PA and Maryland state line Connects to additional 20 mile trail in Maryland (Northern Central Rail Trail) Primarily Rural Largest Communities City of York 40,862 Glen Rock Borough 1,809 New Freedom Borough 3,512 Managed by the York County Department of Parks and Recreation
Age Profiles 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% <15 16-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 >65 30.00% Pine Creek Heritage Perkiomen Majority age for all respondents is 45-65 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% Schuylkill 5.00% 0.00% <15 16-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 >65
Geographic areas Perkiomen Trail 97.5% local Schuylkill River Trail - 98% local Local Non- Local Local Non- Local Pine Creek Trail 42.8% Local Heritage Rail Trail 60.8% Local Local PA Non-Local PA Local Non- Local
Primary Activity 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% Pine Creek Heritage Perkiomen Perkiomen Trail: 46.8% Bicycle 0.0% 40.00% 35.00% 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00% Walk Bike Run Other Walk Bike Run Pets Other Schuylkill River Trail: 36.39% Bicycle Schuylkill River Trail Nov-Dec 2008
Reasons for trail use 60.0% 50.0% Perkiomen 59.8% Health 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% Pine Creek Heritage Perkiomen 10.0% 0.0% Recreation Health Commuting Fitness Other Schuylkill 57.45% Health 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% Schuylkill 10.00% 0.00% Recreation Health Commuting Fitness Tourism
LENGTH OF TRAIL ACTIVITY 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% 1st Qtr 1/2-1 hr 1-2 hr >2 hr Pine Creek Heritage Perkiomen Perkiomen: majority of respondents spend between 1-2 hours on the trail 50.00% 45.00% 40.00% 35.00% 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00% <30 30m - 1hr 1-2 hrs >2 hrs Schuylkill: majority in Nov-Dec spent between 1-2 hours on the trail Schuylkill
Economic Impact Trail users purchase consumables or soft goods during their trail visit. Trail users from distant locations stay overnight in local accommodations New business formations or revitalization of existing businesses can be directly correlated with the trail usage
CONSUMABLE GOODS PURCHASES PERKIOMEN SCHUYLKILL Nov-Dec 2009 47% 2% 18% 6% 4% 10% 13% Water/Soda Snacks Sandwich Ice Cream Meal Other Nothing 51% 1% 22% 10% 4% 3% 9% Water/Soda Snacks Sandwich Ice Cream Meal Other Nothing PINE CREEK HERITAGE 14% 3% 17% 16% 11% 25% 14% Water/Soda Snacks Sandwich Ice Cream Meal Other Nothing 1% 18% 22% 12% 10% 27% 10% Water/Soda Snacks Sandwich Ice Cream Meal Other Nothing
Dollars Spent $35.00 $30.00 $30.30 $25.00 $20.00 Pine Creek $15.00 $10.00 $12.86 $11.77 Heritage Perkiomen $5.00 $0.00 $ per person $8.86 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 Schuylkill River Trail Nov-Dec respondents $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 $ per person $1.00 $0.00 $ per person
ECONOMIC IMPACT of Consumable Expenditures Estimated annual user visits Percentage who purchased Total consumable goods purchase/year PINE CREEK 2006 HERITAGE 2007 PERKIOMEN 2008 138,277 300,000 397,814 86% 72% 53.3% $3,603,222 $2,777,760 $2,351,466
Overnight Accommodations 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% Pine Creek Heritage Perkiomen 5% 0%
NEW BUSINESS FORMATIONS EXISTING BUSINESS REVITALIZATION
What can business do? Talk to Legislators Talk to other business owners Engage the Trail User
RTC Tools www.railstotrails.org Action Alert Network Tool Box
Northeast Regional Office 2133 Market St, #222 Camp Hill, PA 17011 717-238-1717 Patricia Tomes Program Coordinator