Economic Impacts of Parks, Rivers, Trails and Greenways

program at the local video store, all as a result of the trail (National TransportationEnhancements Clearinghouse, 2002). Total direct and indirect spending in communitieslocated within 10 miles of the trail system has increased by $3,174,593 due to trailrelated spending coming from outside those communities (Farber, 2003).The Silver Comet Trail, spanning three counties in Georgia, resulted in a bicycle shopand a bed-and-breakfast coming to downtown Rockmart, GA, along with anunprecedented number of people. "In the last 12 months, we've had more tourists thanin the last 30 years," Mayor Lewis said. "Before there wasn't anything to bring themhere." (Williams, 2002) The trail has also brought new life to the economies of Cobb,Paulding and Polk Counties because new businesses are opening and connector trailshave been constructed in subdivisions and local downtown areas to provide directaccess to the trail. Other bike stores, such as the Silver Comet Depot, opened in Cobband Polk Counties and offer bike or inline skate rentals, while others have opened inPaulding for trail users who want to buy bikes and accessories (National TransportationEnhancements Clearinghouse, 2002).Since construction was started on the Heritage Rail Trail (in Pennsylvania), many newbusinesses have opened along it, including bed and breakfasts, bicycle shops anddelicatessens. Existing businesses along the trail have also enjoyed benefits fromincreased numbers of customers (National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse,2000). The new and expanded businesses have added employment in southern YorkCounty and vary from the Whistle Stop Bike Shop and Railroad Café in New Freedom,PA to numerous refreshment stands along the length of the trail. The Jackson HouseBed and Breakfast in Railroad, PA is located next to the trail and adjacent to theRailroad trailhead; the New Freedom Hotel is being refurbished and converted into abed and breakfast across the street from the restored New Freedom train station; and theGlen Rock Mill, located along the trail in Glen Rock, PA, has reopened after beingclosed for a number of years and caters to trail users by serving lunch on an open airpatio and welcoming trail users' pets. Additional new business enterprises have beenformed to serve the needs of trail users, such as the Cycle Inn, another bed and breakfastthat opened near the Brillharts Station trailhead (York County Dept. of Parks andRecreation, 2002).In Dunedin, Florida, store vacancy rates tumbled from 35% to zero after the PinellasTrail was built through town beginning in 1990 (Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 1997).Hearthstone, a country hotel, strategically chose a location directly on the bike trail inCedarville, Ohio. According to Stewart Zaharek, manager, the bike trail is a significantcomponent of the inn’s marketing plan which provides maps, web links and informationabout trails throughout the county (Hearthstone, 2003).Five out of seven businesses which opened over a three-year period in a study area ofthe Little Miami Scenic Trail cite the trail as the main reason for opening their business.One out of every three businesses believed that the trail increased their patronage bymore than 20% (Ohio Greenways, 1999).Rental and sales figures for recreational vehicle (RV) travel continue to rise. Threefourthsof RV owners expect to travel more in spring/summer 2004 than they did lastyear, expecting to log nearly 3,000 miles over 40 days, and the desire to enjoy nature isthe top reason cited (66%) for using their RVs more. Factory-to-dealer deliveries ofRVs are expected to set a new quarter-century record in 2004, increasing nearly 8%74