Economic Impact of Recreational Trails

Multi-use trails provide both community-wide and business specific economic development opportunities. Trails increase transportation linkages, expand and conserve greenways, and can provide a much-needed "shot in the arm" for downtown businesses.

Most importantly, trails have become "the central focus of tourist activities in some communities and the impetus for kick-starting a stagnating economy.

Clearly trails, and the right strategy, bring opportunities for communities and businesses alike to reach out to new market niches and expand tourism-related business. Case studies...have shown that...community consensus-building, the collective marketing of businesses, and innovative business practices can pay off when it comes to serving trail riders in the community.

(Excerpts from Let's Talk Business, Issue 121, September 2006)