Parks / Recreation

Parks That Pay Off: The Hidden Economic Benefits of Recreation

Parks are more than just spaces for families and individuals to enjoy the outdoors; they also play a significant role in driving economic growth. Parks boost local economies, and investments in them often generate strong returns, with some studies showing $4 to $11 in economic value for every $1 invested. Across the United States, parks are continuing to contribute to economic prosperity in several key ways:

Boost Property Values: Homes located within walking distance of a park often see increased property values as buyers seek access to open green spaces and recreational amenities. On average, about 77% of U.S. Adults used the parks and recreation facilities and programs in 2025.
Higher Tax Revenues: Increased property values and tourism activity lead to higher local tax revenues.
Lower Healthcare Costs: Parks and recreational programs encourage and support healthy and active lifestyles, which can ultimately reduce health conditions and potential medical expenses. According to a recent Cobalt study, the data reported that the quality and variety of recreational programs were both above average reporting at 63 and 59 on a score from 0-100.
Growth in Tourism Revenue: Parks attract both residents and visitors from outside their community. The Cobalt Study determined that individuals report that local parks’ maintenance and cleanliness exceed their average expectations. This high level of satisfaction highlights the role that the well-maintained parks play in drawing in tourist.
Growth in Employment: Parks and recreation facilities create jobs directly through operations and indirectly by supporting local businesses and tourism.

Beyond the measurable economic benefits that were mentioned above, parks enhance the overall community. They make neighborhoods more attractive and provide spaces to strengthen community engagement. All together, these factors make investment in parks not a quality-of-life decision, but an economic strategy for all communities, no matter the size.

Now is the time to make the most of what you already have. In a climate where municipal budgets are under pressure, your local parks and recreational facilities are some of the most valuable assets at your disposal. By enhancing, maintaining, and utilizing existing park spaces, you can unlock economic growth, increase and improve community engagement, and drive long term returns without the need for major new investments. Start leveraging your parks today to strengthen communities and create a more resilient local economy.

References:
WeConservePA. (n.d.). Economic benefits of parks. Retrieved from https://library.weconservepa.org/guides/98-economic-benefits-of-parks

National Recreation and Park Association. (2017). The economic impact of local parks. Retrieved from https://www.nrpa.org/publications-research/research-papers/the-economic-impact-of-local-parks/

McCosh, C. (2024, January 16). Dollars and sense: Economic benefits of community green spaces. Trust for Public Land. https://www.tpl.org/blog/dollars-and-sense-economic-benefits-of-community-green-spaces

Cobalt Community Research. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cobalt360.org/

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Cobalt Community Research is a national 501c3 nonprofit, non-partisan coalition that helps local governments, schools and membership organizations measure, benchmark, and affordably engage communities through high-quality metrics, mobile geofencing data, surveys, and dynamic population segmentation. Cobalt combines big data with local insights to help organizations thrive as changes emerge in the economic, demographic and social landscape. Explore how we can help.