Recreation value
The value of recreation experiences to the people who have them, beyond what they pay. Economists call this consumer surplus.
Recreation value and public benefits
We estimate the value people receive from parks, trails, and open space beyond what they spend, along with benefits to public health, property values, and the environment. These estimates help agencies show what residents gain from investment in parks.
Benefits we estimate
Spending-based economic studies capture only part of what parks provide. Many benefits come from free activities, such as a walk on a trail, that generate little spending but real value for residents.
Health benefits
Potential healthcare savings from the physical activity that parks and trails support.
Property values
The higher values that homes near parks and open space can command.
Environmental benefits
Ecosystem services that parks and natural areas provide, such as water filtration and flood reduction.
How we do it
We share findings through reports, concise summaries, maps, and web-based tools you can use in budget and funding requests and public discussions.
Start with use
Most benefits scale with use, so we start with visitor use estimates from counts, records, and mobile location data.
Apply published values
Apply values from published economic research, matched to activity type and location.
Keep measures separate
Document every value and assumption, and report these benefits separately from spending-based measures so they are not double-counted.
Recreation value and public benefits projects
All projects- Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master PlanCity of Chesapeake · Chesapeake, Virginia About $71 million in annual recreation value and $27 million in health benefits
- Yolo Bypass Recreation AnalysisSacramento Area Flood Control Agency · Yolo Bypass, California Value of wildlife watching, hiking, hunting, and other recreation
- Statewide Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in NevadaNevada Division of Outdoor Recreation · Nevada Recreation value and potential health benefits statewide
- ICON Water TrailsICON Water Trails · Des Moines, Iowa Recreation value and potential health benefits of river access
- Outdoor Recreation in the Upper American River WatershedEl Dorado Water Agency · Upper American River Watershed, California Value of recreation experiences beyond what participants spend
Common questions
Can recreation value be added to economic impact?
No. Economic impact measures spending as it moves through the economy, while recreation value measures benefits to people beyond that spending. We report them side by side rather than adding them together. See economic impact analysis.
How do agencies use these estimates?
In master plans, budget and funding requests, and public discussions. The City of Chesapeake’s Path to Play master plan, adopted in February 2026, highlights about $71 million in estimated annual recreation value and $27 million in estimated annual health benefits from our analysis.
Can you estimate benefits for a single park?
Yes. We work at every scale, from individual parks to park systems and statewide studies.
Discuss your project
Let us help you understand and communicate the benefits of your place.
Contact Radbridge