Economic Benefits of High Impact, Destination Trails: Lessons Learned from Across the U.S.

Webinar Outline

What does your trail want to be when it grows up? This webinar will explore trail economic impact typologies using a case study of a developing trail. Through our work with the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail and Parkersburg to Pittsburgh (P2P) Trail, Fourth Economy identified and cataloged nearly 50 trail impact studies, informed from a variety of sources, including American Trail’s Impact of Trails Hub.  Through this database, Fourth Economy developed trail typologies, distinguished by length, economic impact, visitor spending, jobs supported, and more. Clear patterns emerged distinguishing economic impacts between Regionally Significant Trails from High Impact, Destination Trails. 

More about the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh (P2P) Trail: When complete, the trails comprising the P2P Corridor from Parkersburg, WV to Connellsville, PA will create a fully connected 180-mile system of trails, one of the longest in the U.S. The P2P meets the Great Allegheny Passage near Connellsville, PA. Trail users can continue on to Pittsburgh using the GAP and Three Rivers Heritage Trail for a 238-mile trail experience.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the role of economic impact assessments for developing trails 
• Review trail typologies and means of economic impact measurement 
• Consider the future goals of your trail systems and how to measure impact to secure funding and build community support.

Location

This is a virtual training. See the event website for more details.

Trail Competencies

• Project Planning and Design
• • Define Purpose, Need, and Feasibility of Project
• • Stakeholder Engagement
• • Trail Plan Development

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.