River Towns: A River Runs Through It

Patrick Starr, Executive VP, PA Environmental CouncilAdapted from “A River Runs Through It” byCathy McCollom, Director, River Town Program

A regional network of vibrant,connected River Towns offeringvisitor amenities and services ina healthy business environmentand actively engaged with theriver and one another.

Our Vision:

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!

Employs five times more Americans than Walmart

Paddlers spend $23-$64 per day

Overnight trail users spend $98 per day

$800 billion and 6.5 million jobs

Why does this matter?

US economic impacts of active outdoor recreation:

More American jobs depend on trail sports (766,000) than there are lawyers (726,200).

More than 44 percent made outdoor recreation a priority

Americans spend more money to enjoy the outdoors than buying gasoline, purchasing pharmaceutical drugs, or owning cars.

Visitors pay a $$ premium when “doing good” -- improving the environment or preserving the history and culture of an area.

Why does this matter?

US economic impacts of outdoor recreation:

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

Why does this matter?

PA Department of Natural Resources and Conservation found:

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

• 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

Case Study: Northern Forest Canoe Trail (2007)

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

Paddle

Pedal

Past

River Towns are here!(At the intersection)

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

• 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: Monongahela River, PA

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 resources2. Increase and improve user access 3. Connect to land trails4. Achieve water trail objectives included in

SCORP5. 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

Milestone Milestone MilestoneMilestone

Mission, vision &

goals are outlined and a Statement of Purpose is signed

First PA water trail opened &

state agencies, led

by PFBC, develop

water trail program

PEC joins partnershi

p and hires

dedicated staff to

manage program

Program surpasses

2,000 miles of designated trail

1998

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.