18.02.2013 Views

complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Office <strong>of</strong> Greenways & Trails<br />

ECONOMIC BENEFITS<br />

In 2009, the Cross <strong>Florida</strong> Greenway and state trails managed by the Office <strong>of</strong> Greenways & Trails (OGT)<br />

received the highest annual visitation ever with over 4 million visitors, generating an estimated $95<br />

million in economic impact. This impact estimate is based upon visitation figures and price adjusted<br />

spending from the National Park Service (NPS) “Impacts <strong>of</strong> Rail-Trails” Study used in the NPS Money<br />

Generation Model 2.<br />

Over the past five years, OGT has sought and received over $20 million in Federal funding through<br />

Transportation Enhancements from the Federal Highway Administration for development <strong>of</strong> facilities on<br />

state managed trails. These projects provide economic benefits by supporting employment during<br />

design and construction, and by generating visitation once they are <strong>complete</strong>d.<br />

Nearly 30 properties acquired by OGT are subleased to local governments who develop and manage the<br />

properties. Through these partnerships, the state’s acquisition investment leverages significant local<br />

dollars for greenways and trails. In 2008-09, communities collectively spent over $1.2 million <strong>of</strong> local<br />

funding to operate and maintain properties on behalf <strong>of</strong> OGT.<br />

Public demand for trails is consistently high. Nationally, 52% <strong>of</strong> Americans would like to bike more and<br />

46% would bike to work if designated trails were available (Bikes Belong Coalition, 2008). The number<br />

one amenity that prospective homebuyers seek in a community when buying a home is trails (National<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> Homebuilders, 2008). These statistics are echoed by developers themselves. Surveys<br />

conducted by southwest <strong>Florida</strong>’s Lakewood Ranch, a 2008 recipient <strong>of</strong> the American Trails Developer<br />

Award, reveal that 80% <strong>of</strong> its residents use the community’s extensive 150 mile network <strong>of</strong> trails and<br />

sidewalks for recreation and commuting. Affirming the significant desire <strong>of</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> residents and visitors<br />

to find trail opportunities is the fact that an average <strong>of</strong> nearly 70,000 electronic copies <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Florida</strong><br />

Bicycle Trails Guide are downloaded each month from the OGT website. This guide was created by VISIT<br />

FLORIDA, in partnership with OGT and other organizations.<br />

A major project being developed in response to the continued growth in demand for trails by <strong>Florida</strong><br />

visitors is the new VISIT FLORIDA Trails-Tourism Website. This website will debut on October 4, 2010 as<br />

a new component <strong>of</strong> VISITFLORIDA.com. It will bring together descriptions and maps <strong>of</strong> trails from<br />

around <strong>Florida</strong> with information about lodging, restaurants, outfitters and other travel related services.<br />

Trails will now be featured traveler destinations for <strong>Florida</strong> visitors, alongside beaches, resorts, golf<br />

courses and themed attractions.<br />

81

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!