Economic Impacts of Parks, Rivers, Trails and Greenways

active, approximately $575 million per year could be saved over the next four years(Chenoweth, 2003).The costs of mental health are also staggering, but could be reduced by regular physicalactivity. In the U.S., mental health disorders are a major public health burden and are oftenthe cause of hospitalization and disability. Such disorders cost approximately $148 billionper year (USDHHS, 1996).3.6.3 Benefits of Activity: Physical and Mental Well-BeingPhysical activity is widely known to reduce the many costly health problems mentionedabove as well as others. This includes obesity, cardiovascular disease (heart disease, stroke,hypertension, congestive heart failure), colon cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes.Furthermore, regular physical activity contributes to healthy bones, muscles and joints, thusreducing the number of falls by older adults and relieving arthritis pain. As a result, thereare fewer hospitalizations, physician visits and medications needed for active people. Inorder to be beneficial, physical activity does not need to be strenuous. Moderate-intensityphysical activity on a regular basis, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more timesa week, is valuable to people of all ages (CDCa).People already recognize the benefits of outdoor recreation. Three-quarters ofAmericans see it as having a role in helping to reduce childhood obesity, and93% of Americans believe that if people participated more in outdoor physicalactivities, the health effects would be beneficial. In fact, 90% of Americansthink outdoor recreation is seen as the best way to be physically active (OutdoorRecreation in America, 2000).A 2004 survey of municipal Chief Administrative Officers showed that 67% ofthem believe that opportunities for physical activity, such as walking to work orplaying in parks, are an important issue to residents in the community andanother 23% believe it is an emerging issue for residents. The vast majority(98%) felt that it was important for local government to encourage and provideopportunities for residents to be physically active. Finally, nearly 89% saidParks and Recreation Departments should play a leading role in developing acommunity conducive to active living (ICMA, 2004).Outdoor physical activity as alternative transportation, which displacesautomobile use, has the effect of improving air quality through reduced pollutionfrom vehicle exhaust. This in turn can result in better health and reduced healthcare costs for the entire community. For example, during the 1996 AtlantaOlympic Games, when driving was reduced and ambient ozone levels fell by27.9%, emergency room visits for asthma dropped by 41.6% (EPA, 2003).Physical activity is also known to have a positive impact on mental well being. For adultswho have affective disorders, physical activity is known to be beneficial for symptoms ofdepression and anxiety. Evidence indicates that physical exercise may stimulate the growthof new brain cells that enhance memory and learning—two functions hindered bydepression. Studies have also demonstrated that exercise is a viable treatment for97