A new report issued by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) demonstrates the vast economic impact of our nation’s local parks, plus a state-level analysis of local state parks and recreation agencies' operations and capital spendings in 2015. 

Kansas local parks generated over $812 million in economic activity in 2015, and local park and recreation spending in Kansas supports 7870 jobs.  These a just a few findings from research conducted by NRPA and the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University for their Economic Impact of Local Parks Report. Policymakers and elected officials at all levels of government should take notice. Investments made to local and regional parks not only raise the standard of living in our neighborhoods, towns and cities, but they also spark activity that can ripple throughout the economy.