Projecting the Economic Impact of Future Trails: DIY Forecasting Tools for Communities

Webinar Outline

How can communities estimate the economic potential of trails and trail networks that don’t yet exist? 

This webinar focuses on practical, do-it-yourself ways to project the future economic significance and impact of new, expanded, or enhanced trail systems— even when little to no trail user data exists. 

Participants will learn how to combine information from studies done elsewhere with local conditions, market context, and informed assumptions to build credible projections of visitor use, spending, jobs, and tax effects. The webinar will demystify common methods used by consultants and show how communities can adapt those approaches using accessible tools and publicly available data. Drawing from real-world examples, the session will provide step-by-step guidance on how to translate other regions’ data into local projections. While the focus is on trails of all kinds— gravel, rail, road, mountain biking, and paddling— participants will also see how to apply these methods to other outdoor recreation facilities and events.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify credible data from other trail and outdoor recreation studies and adapt it to local circumstances.
• Apply straightforward, DIY methods to estimate likely economic effects of proposed trail systems and enhancements.
• Communicate projections effectively to funders, partners, and policymakers, connecting economic potential to broader community outcomes.

Trail Competencies

• Project Planning and Design
• • Define Purpose, Need, and Feasibility of Project

• Program Administration
• • Funding/Grants
• • Education and Public Outreach

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.