Ohio's trails fuel economic growth, community revitalization

By Farah Siddiqi

Ohio’s outdoor recreation economy is generating billions of dollars in spending and supporting thousands of jobs, according to a new statewide study.

Researchers said walking and biking trails are not just about healthier communities, they are directly tied to property values, tax revenue and local revitalization. In Toledo, officials pointed to the University Parks Trail, which was converted from an abandoned railroad right of way 30 years ago, as an example of how public investment in trails can reshape a community.

Scott Carpenter, director of public relations for Metroparks Toledo, said trails are more than just paths.

"We think of rails to trails as linear parks," Carpenter explained. "They provide access to green space and all the environmental and health benefits that nature provides to us."

An Ohio Department of Transportation study found annual active-transportation investments of $66 million support about 700 jobs and $131 million in economic activity, generating roughly $2 in statewide output for every one dollar invested.

Carpenter pointed out trail projects once faced neighborhood skepticism but are now viewed as valuable economic assets. He added quality-of-life factors, such as easy trail access, have become central to business recruitment and retention.

"Those federal funds are critical to being able to accomplish these trails," Carpenter emphasized. "We think it’s money well spent because of all the benefits that parks and trails provide."

The statewide report estimated Ohio’s major trails add $1.6 billion to home values and $182 million in annual property tax revenue. More than 650,000 jobs are located within a half-mile of Ohio’s major trails, showing how active transportation links communities to both recreation and economic vitality.