published Jan 2019
The plan addresses five important demographic and societal changes facing outdoor recreation providers in the coming years including: 1. An aging population; 2. An increasingly diverse population; 3. Lack of youth engagement in outdoor recreation; 4. An underserved low-income population; and 5. The health benefits of physical activity.
published Dec 2018
Greater Des Moines Water Trails will annually pour tens of millions of dollars into the regional economy, a new analysis shows.
published Sep 2018
Updated statistics from the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) show that the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.2 percent ($412 billion) of current-dollar GDP in 2016 (table 2). In data produced for the first time, using inflation-adjusted (real) GDP, the outdoor recreation economy grew 1.7 percent in 2016, faster than the 1.6 percent growth for the overall U.S. economy (table 6). In addition, real gross output, compensation, and employment all grew faster in outdoor recreation than in the overall economy in 2016.
published Sep 2018
There is a huge amount of evidence that trails add value to properties and bring in significant increases in tourism spending, that roads just do not have.
published Jun 2018
by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
This second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans provides science-based guidance to help people ages 3 years and older improve their health through participation in regular physical activity.
published Jun 2018
The phenomena of thru-hiking has been on a dramatic rise, spurring hikers to venture onto increasingly remote and challenging trails over extended periods of time. Despite the recent popularity of thru-hiking, the field remains relatively unstudied. In recreation, the expectations held beforehand have been linked to perceptions after an activity, but this has not been explored in thru-hiking.
published Jun 2018
A participant in outdoor recreation is defined as an individual who took part in one or more of 42 outdoor activities at least once during 2017.
published Jun 2018
by Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism at Utah State University
An analysis on the value of snowmobiling to Utah’s economy, the sociodemographic composition of participants, and more.
published May 2018
Increasing numbers of equestrians on public lands require more awareness of impacts.
published May 2018
by National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
An Examination of the Economic Impacts of Operations and Capital Spending by Local Park and Recreation Agencies on the U.S. Economy
published May 2018
by National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
This study builds on previous NRPA research on the economic importance of local park and recreation agencies by exploring the role that quality park amenities play in 21st century regional economic development.
published Mar 2018
Visitors and supporters often ask how the Longleaf Trace has affected the economies of the towns along the Trace.
