Economic Impacts of Parks, Rivers, Trails and Greenways

3.1 Agency ExpendituresThis section of the Resource Book presents how the expenditures of the agency ororganizations responsible for managing a park, river, trail, or greenway can contribute tothe local economy. Agency expenditures contribute to economic activity by providingpayrolls and support to a myriad of businesses. Some of the major economic sectors thatagency expenditures support include utility services, insurance, vehicles, sporting goods,lumber and building materials, legal agencies and service, chemical lubricant and gasolinesupplies, food purchases, and playground equipment.3.1.1 Level of ExpendituresThe managing organizations support the local and regional economy by providing jobs andpurchasing supplies and services to develop, operate, and maintain parks or trails andconduct related improvements. Expenditures can be made for capital outlay, currentoperations, interest on debt, and insurance benefits, among other things. Benefits to thelocal community are greater if supplies and services are purchased from local businesses.The following examples illustrate the level of expenditures which potentially impact thelocal community. The American River Parkway in California accounted for nearly $5 million inexpenditures by the County of Sacramento Department of Regional Parks,Recreation and Open Space in fiscal year 2003-04.The American River Parkwayis comprised of 6,035 acres of land and water with five major day use park sites,several group campsites, a nature center, two golf courses, numerous riveraccess points and boat launch ramps, and 62 miles for walking, biking andhorseback riding. Approximately $1,096,770 of the expenditures was made forservices and supplies, and $3,807,016 for personnel salaries and benefits.Expenditures for services and supplies range from professional planningservices to paper products. Personnel include permanent and part-timemaintenance staff to provide trash pick up, litter removal, restroom cleaning,trail maintenance, regular mowing of turfed areas, cleaning of picnic sites, andgeneral maintenance of park facilities; park interpretive specialist staff toprovide interpretive and educational programs at the nature center; and ParkRanger peace officer staff to provide law enforcement along the Parkway(American River Parkway, 2004). The city of Boulder, CO Greenways system is comprised of a series of corridorsalong riparian areas. The Greenways Capital Improvements Program (CIP)budget is $450,000 annually and the Streets and Bikeways Maintenance workgroup has a budget of $267,388 per year including personnel expenses formaintaining the 28.5 miles of both Greenways and non-Greenways paths.Finally, the Transportation Division’s budget for major maintenance ofbikeways in Boulder is $175,000. This is utilized to replace bridges andsignificant sections of paths (Greenways 2005 - 2010 Capital ImprovementsProgram). Several California agencies were surveyed to determine the average cost9