|
This just in from the Summer 2002 Rails to Trails Magazine (http://www.railstrails.org/). I knew there was a reason
I enjoyed getting this magazine...
TRAILS STRENGTHEN
ECONOMY
Detractors claim that trails are an economic drag, but
recent findings around the country show that the opposite is true. (from the
Summer 2002 Rails to Trails Magazine, page 4.)
*In Wisconsin, the
Brown County Planning Commission examined the economic impact of the 14-mile Fox
River Trail on surrounding residential and commercial areas. In the
commission's study, released Dec. 28, two area real estate agents say potential
buters "absolutely" view closeness to trails as an amenity; one agent says trail
proximity automatically raises property value by at least $5,000. The
study reports that the combined property value of two houses near the Fox River
Trail has improved by a whopping $280,000 since the trail opened in May
2001.
The trail has been good for local businesses, too. Since it opened,
13 of 33 businesses in the trails vicinity have reported increased summer and
fall sales (this probably doesn't include Jet Ski and RV sales, I
suppose). During the study, one business mentioned the trail in its
advertisements. Now, 12 have plans to mention it.
###
You may want to note, dear readers, that Brown County collected $58,618 last
year in sales of daily and yearly trail passes for cyclists, inline skaters, and
cross country skiers. Just to let you know. For more, go
to:
http://www.co.brown.wi.us
Here's a thought.
Wouldn't it be great if the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) used by real estate
agents started adding "close to bike path or trail" as an ammenity, right next
to whether there is bus service near a home for
sale?
|
