Trails serve as both a transportation and recreational amenity to the community. Many of the reasons to support parks and greenspace and especially greenways noted on this website relate directly to trails, which serve to provide access to and interconnect parks, habitat and greenspaces. An excellent source of information for understanding all the benefits, of trails is provided at: http://www.americantrails.org/resources/benefits/index.html

• Trail users generate tax revenue,
• Access to trails ranks high as a desirable amenity for homebuyers,
• Trails are transportation infrastructure
• Trails provide a means to access natural areas and recreation for personal and public health and social interaction
• Texas State University-San Marcos Master Plan includes Bicycle and Pedestrian elements that will integrate with a city-wide trail system
• Other resources and links

TRAIL USERS GENERATE TAX REVENUE

Trail users generate tax revenue and income for local businesses. A study conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources found that although the Northern Central Rail-Trail cost $191,893 to construct, it generated $303,750 of State tax revenue during one year. (see http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/430.html) And the 1992 “Impacts of Rail-Trails” study by Roger L. Moore, et al. found that for the three trails studied, trail users of each trail were responsible for generating over $1.2 million for local businesses. "Users spent an average of $9.21, $11.02, and $3.97 per person per day as a result of their trail visits to the Heritage, St. Marks, and Lafayette/Moraga Trails respectively." For more data on outdoor recreation spending, “Economic Impacts of Protecting Rivers, Trails, and Greenway Corridors” at the National Forest Service site: http://www.nps.gov/pwro/rtca/econindx.htm

ACCESS TO TRAILS RANKS HIGH

In 2002 the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors co-sponsored a survey of recent homebuyers. When asked about the importance of community amenities, respondents ranked trails second only to highway access. Sidewalks and parks ranked third and fourth respectively. See the graphic at http://www.americantrails.org/resources/benefits/homebuyers02.html (The survey is no longer available on the NAHB site.)

TRAILS ARE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Urban trails and greenways can provide citizens an alternative to automobile travel, reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. Non-motorized transportation is healthier and more cost-effective means of getting around the community. In it’s 1994 National Bicycling and Walking Study, the U.S. Department of Transportation calculated that the average citizen saves from 5 to 22 cents per every automobile mile displaced by walking or bicycling due to reduced pollution, cost of imported oil and costs of congestion. The full text of this survey is not available online but you can read a ten year status report at the Federal Highway Administration’s site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/study/#nbwftn1