Parks and Recreation makes massive contribution to US economy

America’s local park and recreation agencies generated US$154 billion in economic activity in 2015, nearly US$81 billion in value added and more than 1.1 million jobs that boosted labor income by US$55 billion.

According to a new report from the USA’s National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, operations spending by local park and recreation agencies generated nearly US$91 billion in total economic activity during 2015. That activity boosted real gross domestic product (GDP) by US$49 billion and supported more than 732,000 jobs that accounted for nearly US$34 billion in salaries, wages and benefits across the nation.

The Economic Impact of Local Parks Report showed that local park and recreation agencies also invested an estimated US$23 billion on capital programs in 2015. The capital spending led to an additional US$64 billion in economic activity, a contribution of US$32 billion to GDP, US$21 billion in labour-related income and nearly 378,000 jobs.

Releasing the report, the NRPA advised “policymakers and elected officials at all levels of government should take notice. Investments made to local and regional parks not only raise the standard of living in our neighbourhoods, towns and cities, but they also spark activity that can ripple throughout the economy.”

The Economic Impact of Local Parks: Infographic

Click here to read the Report’s Executive Summary.

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