Study: National Parks Benefit Host Communities

A recent study by the National Parks Conservation Association asked how much revenue national parks in California contribute to local communities. The answer is in the millions, from $3 million at Pinnacles National Monument to $83 million at Point Reyes National Seashore. Endorsed by dozens of California businesses and chambers of commerce, the study infers that Pacifica would enjoy, conservatively, $7 million a year. Click link to read the full report: National Treasures as Economic Engines—The Economic Impact of Visitor Spending in California's National Parks http://www.npca.org/pacific/economic_report/

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Comments

[Lois Rogan]

kathy jana amuses me.

[Bruce Hotchkiss]

Where exactly is Pacifica mentioned in this report? I didn't see it; did I miss something?

I am so tired of hearing about "the environment is our economy" without anything to back it up. Please, please give me some hard facts. If someone can give me substantiated facts that show GGNRA gets Pacifica more tax income than, say, Dave and Lou's, I will apologize and crawl back into my hole, never to be heard from again.

[kathy jana]

National parks bring money to the communities where they are. A national park with a gateway visitor center in Pacifica would also be a recreational and educational resource for Pacifica's children. This would help the kids in our schools learn about science and the world, provide activities such as overnight camping and ranger talks, hiking, bird walks, etc. This would be for every kid, from any neighborhood in San Francisco to Pacifica.

A golf course serves a small set of people who could afford to pay the increased rates that will be charged at an improved course. Rates will be increased at the course from $80 to $120 a round.

Monies from a golf course do not translate to the surrounding community. In fact, a survey of Sharp Park golfers showed the number one reason they like the course: It's cheap.

Once the golfers have to pay the real costs for the course, including the drinking water trucked in to water the golf course, they won't be as eager to play there. How many Pacificans have a spare $80 to $120 for golf every weekend?

[Cynthia Montanez]

If you read the report, it's for companion businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and shops, for those who visit these parks to stay, eat, and shop in. This is the quandary Pacifica is in. To have truly economically sustainable open space, you need some companion development.

This study bears this out and has been known for some time.

[Kathy Meeh]

Gee, another big empty space for Pacifica, just like the GGNRA Mori Point property, bringing in millions of dollars -- not.

[todd bray]

Enough of the developer speak, thank you.

[Steve Sinai]

I don't see anything in the report that would lead one to infer that Pacifica would gain $7 million a year.

Can whoever made that claim explain it, please? Believe me, if it was shown that parks could make the city $7 million, lots of people would be interested.

Not that I'm expecting an answer, but I figured I should at least ask.