What is the value of greenways and trails?

By Kim Delaney, FGTF Vice President

Greenways and trails are remarkable components of sustainable communities. They are popular recreational facilities, contributing to longevity and healthy lifestyles. They bring people closer to nature, providing opportunities for Floridians and visitors to experience Florida’s natural beauty and wildlife.

Trails provide transportation benefits, connecting people from home to work, school, entertainment, and recreation. In addition, greenways and trails can provide economic benefits – directly to the communities where they are located and at a larger scale to the overall economy of Florida.

How greenways and trails benefit the economy is a research question FDOT and FDEP are underway answering through research being conducted this year. Two of Florida’s regional planning councils (RPCs), in East Central Florida and the Treasure Coast, have partnered with the agencies to analyze the economic impacts of Florida’s greenways and trails.

Focusing on a geographically diverse and representative set of SUN Trail segments, the RPCs are analyzing the impacts of trails on the economy. The analysis will consider construction investments, visitor expenditures, and property values as they impact regional economies (see map below).

The 18-month study, which began in 2023, has results anticipated in the Summer of 2024 to help inform future investments to growing Florida’s expanding network of greenways and trails for the benefit of all Floridians.

For more information, contact Kim DeLaney, TCRPC Project Manager at kdelaney@tcrpc.org.