Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Post

Many facilities in our state parks and trails system are more than 50 years old and weren't built with accessibility in mind. The DNR has identified more than 100 access and accessibility projects throughout the state as part of the once-in-a-generation Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) investments which will help us make big strides in this work. Projects will serve new and existing users by making it easier to get to recreational opportunities and easier for people to enjoy outdoor recreation by: 🌱 Refreshing recreational facilities 🌱 Revitalizing and sustainably re-engineering roads and trails to access recreational opportunities 🌱 Improving accessibility for all Minnesotans The research is clear – time spent in the outdoors has significant health and wellness benefits. It's a priority of the DNR to make state parks and trails accessible to all people who want to enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dR5YC5TE

Thanks to the efforts of park and recreation professionals through the United States, local park and recreation agencies generated more than $201 billion in economic activity and supported more than 1.1 million jobs in 2021. Beyond the nationwide impact, this report shows the economic contribution of parks and recreation at the state level too. The estimates of total economic impacts include the direct, indirect and induced effects of operations and capital spending by local park and recreation agencies in each state and the District of Columbia. Access the report: https://lnkd.in/gPjpsFpi #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #NRPAResearch National Recreation and Park Association Florida Recreation and Park Association Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society

Today, we're thrilled to announce the establishment of a new Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences in Connecticut, receiving praise from outdoor industry stakeholders nationwide. President of Outdoor Industry Association, Kent Ebersole, expresses our enthusiasm, stating, "From coast to coast, it is encouraging to see the growing number of states prioritizing their local outdoor recreation economies. The reason for this momentum is simple: the outdoor recreation economy accounts for more than $1 trillion in consumer spending nationwide and supports more than five million hard-working employees and their families across the nation. We welcome the state of Connecticut to this movement and look forward to working with policymakers there to increase access to public lands and waterways, advance conservation efforts, and increase outdoor participation, so everyone can experience the benefits of spending time outdoors." Learn more about this policy news by following the link below: #outdoorindustry #policynews

BREAKING NEWS: City of St. Petersburg, Florida ranks No. 1 in Florida and No. 11 in the nation for park systems by the Trust for Public Land (TPL) in this year’s ParkScore® index, which analyzed 100 of the largest U.S. cities to determine how well each city is meeting the needs for parks. According to TPL, 78% of St. Pete residents are within a 10-minute walk of a park. St. Pete is no stranger to being in the top 15; however, the City continues to climb in the ranking as it aims to create an inclusive and equitably accessible parks and recreation system. https://lnkd.in/eTYiTVma

Thanks to the efforts of park and recreation professionals through the United States, local park and recreation agencies generated more than $201 billion in economic activity and supported more than 1.1 million jobs in 2021. Beyond the nationwide impact, this report shows the economic contribution of parks and recreation at the state level too. The estimates of total economic impacts include the direct, indirect and induced effects of operations and capital spending by local park and recreation agencies in each state and the District of Columbia. Access the report: https://lnkd.in/eRVczxMN #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #NRPAResearch

The National Park Foundation is excited to invest $2.2 million in grants to affinity groups to build lifelong relationships with national parks. Everyone should be able to fully experience the benefits of the outdoors. The 62 projects selected for funding this year span 59 parks and focus on representation, accessibility, and interpretation – all things that leaders in outdoor recreation and equity spaces identify as barriers for communities that have been historically excluded from parks. https://lnkd.in/eQceMF-E

Not only are parks leading the way in terms of health and wellness, equity, and conservation, but they also drive significant economic activity. The report includes a state-level analysis that highlights the economic impact of local parks, with Colorado coming in 6th with an economic impact of $7 billion. https://lnkd.in/gx_eJ-W3

Passed in 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act serves as a legal and funding tool to assist with initiatives to provide more green space for residents in rural and urban communities. The Outdoors for All Act, currently awaiting Senate approval, would expand on this progress by increasing access to parks and green spaces in low-income communities and communities of color. Read our latest Insight article, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘵: 𝘈 𝘛𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩, by the Network's Leah Terry, below. 🔗: https://lnkd.in/eM4pKmWM

Shelburne's Business and Professional Association has a newsletter which helps me focus local economic development. I'll try to cross-post regularly here, too. Town Manager Matt’s 124 words in 2024: Jan. 17.   The falling snow reminds us of Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis recently crunched their 2022 data on this subject. Outdoor recreation is 2.0% of the American total economic output, or GDP. But some states have more fun. In Vermont, 4.6% of our GDP is outdoorsy, second only to Hawaii. Nationally there was strong growth in “snow activities.” The impact calculation included elements of manufacturing and retail, but notably also the arts, accommodations, and food services. From boats and B&Bs to beers, Shelburne has these businesses. Vermont’s state government aims to grow this industry through an Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative. The Town applied their grant to design a new bike path. Such trails are fun for residents and tourists alike.

If you love outdoor recreation data and research, you'll love this: we just released the complete Recreation Funding in America report that debuted earlier this month. Inside you'll find answers to questions like: - How much does the U.S. government spend annually on outdoor recreation? - Is federal recreation spending keeping pace with the millions more users getting outdoors? (Spoiler: No.) - What % of federal recreation spending comes from sources like fossil fuel taxes, excise taxes, and recreation fees? - Which agency's recreation spending will need the most attention in the future due to forces and trends like climate change, increased renewable energy, and changing consumer behavior? Dive on in: https://lnkd.in/gAx5mFbZ