Measuring the economic impact of a state park system

Abstract

A low cost approach to estimating the economic impact on local communities of a comprehensive state park system is described. The expenditures of 51,603 visitors at 29 parks were collected, extrapolated to an additional 60 parks, and used as inputs to derive estimates of economic impact on the parks' local areas using four measures: labor income, value added, output and jobs. The potential of those kinds of analyses for positively influencing elected officials' budget decisions for parks is illustrated.

Keywords:

• economic impact
• parks
• political advocacy

Notes

1. A copy of the survey can be obtained by emailing [email protected].