River Towns: A River Runs Through It Patrick Starr, Executive VP, PA Environmental Council Adapted from “A River Runs Through It” by Cathy McCollom, Director, River Town Program
Our Vision: A regional network of vibrant, connected River Towns offering visitor amenities and services in a healthy business environment and actively engaged with the river and one another.
What defines the River Town Program? Sustainable community and economic development
What defines the River Town Program? Sustainable community and economic development Promotes outdoor recreation as an economic engine
What defines the River Town Program? Sustainable community and economic development Promotes outdoor recreation as an economic engine Improves riverfront connections, encourages public infrastructure
What defines the River Town Program? Sustainable community and economic development Promotes outdoor recreation as an economic engine Improves riverfront connections, encourages public infrastructure “Triple Bottom Line” approach
How did this this all get started? 2010: PEC launches pilot program • 6 communities on the Allegheny • Needs assessments conducted • Focus on planning for towns 2011: Expansion to Monongahela • 5 initial Mon communities • Needs assessments conducted • Building Action Teams • Focus on quick action projects • Implementation • Fundraising
How did this this all get started? 2013: Schuylkill River Towns begins • 4 communities in Southeast • Needs assessments completed • Building Action Teams • Focus on citizen engagement • Programs • Clean-ups • Signage
Why does this matter? Outdoor recreation is an overlooked economic giant!
Why does this matter? US economic impacts of active outdoor recreation: Employs five times Overnight trail users more Americans spend $98 per day than Walmart $800 billion and Paddlers spend $23- $64 per day 6.5 million jobs
Why does this matter? US economic impacts of outdoor recreation: Americans spend more money More American jobs depend to enjoy the outdoors than buying gasoline, purchasing on trail sports (766,000) than pharmaceutical drugs, or there are lawyers (726,200). owning cars. Visitors pay a $$ premium when More than 44 percent “doing good” -- improving the made outdoor recreation environment or preserving the a priority history and culture of an area.
Why does this matter? PA Department of Natural Resources and Conservation found: Outdoor recreation enthusiasts accounted for a third (33%) of the total spending in PA for leisure travel $21.5 Billion is spent annually in consumer spending; supporting 219,000 jobs and generating $1.6 Billion in tax revenue
The word is spreading! PA Statewide Comprehensive Recreation Plan Goals : •Strengthen connections between outdoor recreation, healthy lifestyles and economic benefits in communities •Reconnect people to the outdoors and develop a stewardship ethic through outdoor recreational opportunities and experiences •Develop a statewide land and water trail network to facilitate recreation, transportation and healthy lifestyles
Trails are good business: Northern Forest Case Study: Northern Forest Canoe Trail (2007) • 90,000 visitors per year • $12 million in total economic impacts • 280 jobs created • $215 spending per trip • Non-locals spending average of $414-$498 per trip
Trails are good business: Great Allegheny Passage • Annual direct impact Over $40 million • Jobs added Over 200: $7.26 million in wages • Confluence, population 720, has 6 restaurants, 13 guest houses, 8 B&B’s, 2 outfitters, a gas station, and a cultural center.
Sooo … “Trails are good business.”
Trails are good business Past Paddle River Towns are here! (At the intersection) Pedal
What are the goals of the River Town Program? Sustainable development: Natural resource conservation integrated with economic development Grow the economy -- existing business & attract ones Build organizational capacity as a region to attract visitor users Invest in visitor services and infrastructure
River Town Case Study: Monongahela River, PA • Small, industrial towns • Populations around 5,000 • Focus: economic development
River Town Case Study: Monongahela River, PA • Close to $2 Million raised in project funding • Regional signage designed and installed • Public Art installed in all communities • Kayak and paddling businesses open • Marina opens and another expands • 50 new campsites opened • River views “opened” in five communities
River Town Case Study: Schuylkill River • Large, urban towns • Populations from 8,000 to 30,000 • Focus: marketing and programming
River Town Case Study: Schuylkill River • Bike education series • Organized paddle trips • Seasonal Trail and River Cleanups • Children’s art programs • Signage initiative
Strength of the River Town Program • Regional i.e. multi-town in scope • Flexible: basic organizing tools apply everywhere • Attracts money and attention • Connects heritage and outdoor recreation • Connects people with different interests to common goal • Improves communities • Adds capacity • Instills pride • Engages and inspires
What is a Water Trail? Mapped routes that provide safe access to and information about waterways while also providing connections to diverse history, ecology, geology, heritage and wildlife.
PA Water Trail Partnership Partnership of: • PA Fish & Boat Commission • PA DCNR • National Park Service • PA Environmental Council (PEC)
PA Water Trail Partnership Goals 1. Promote sustainable use of natural resources 2. Increase and improve user access 3. Connect to land trails 4. Achieve water trail objectives included in SCORP 5. Enhance PA’s presence in national designations
PA Water Trail Network • 27 trails • Over 2,000 miles • Over 20 different managers with diverse backgrounds and interests. www.fish.state.pa.us/watertrails
PA Water Trails Partnership Timeline 2003 2008 2013 1998 First PA Milestone Mileston Milestone Milestone water trail Mission, PEC joins e Program opened & vision & partnershi surpasses state goals are p and 2,000 miles of agencies, led outlined and hires designated trail by PFBC, a Statement dedicated develop of Purpose staff to water trail is signed manage program program
PA Water Trail Principles • Partnerships • Stewardship • Volunteerism • Education • Conservation • Community Vitality • Diversity • Wellness & Well-being
What are the goals of the River Town Program? Sustainable development: Natural resource conservation integrated with economic development Grow the economy -- existing business & attract ones Build organizational capacity as a region to attract visitor users Invest in visitor services and infrastructure
Why does this matter? Many people don’t realize that having fun and staying healthy is essential to the continued growth of our economy.
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