
filed under: health and social benefits
Non-motorized trail access was identified as a cost-effective public health strategy for increasing physical activity levels in the Oregon population.
by Terry Bergerson, Project Manager, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Randall Rosengerger, Associate Dean for Student Success and is Professor of Applied Economics, Oregon State University - College of Forestry
The recently completed Oregon Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) identifies a need for additional funding for non-motorized trails in the state. For close-to-home trails, an investment in state resources for non-motorized trail access was identified as a cost-effective public health strategy for increasing physical activity levels in the Oregon population. This presentation includes findings from a research study conducted by Oregon State University that measured the energy expenditure of people engaged in non-motorized trail use in Oregon, the health benefits as cost of illness savings associated with this trail use, and the economic recreation benefits associated with trail use, all of which are based on statewide outdoor recreation participation survey results. The presentation also includes methods used to determine a total annual dollar amount needed for a proposed non-motorized trails fund, a set of preferred potential funding sources, options for administering a non-motorized trails fund, and preferred strategies for moving forward with establishing a dedicated non-motorized trails fund in Oregon. |
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