National Recreation and Park Association | 4 Summary of Findings — National Analysis Based on the 2013 Census Bureau survey, local and regional park agencies provided more than 356,000 direct jobs, which equates to almost $32.3 billion in operating spending. This level of spending generated almost $80 billion in total economic activity, boosted the GDP by $38.8 billion and supported almost 660,000 jobs paying in excess of $24 billion in salaries, wages and benefits across the nation (see Table 1). These local and regional park agencies also spent an estimated $22.4 billion on capital programs leading to an additional $59.7 billion in economic activity, a contribution of $29 billion to gross domestic product, $19.6 billion in labor income and more than 340,000 jobs. In total, for 2013, operation and capital spending by the nation’s local and regional public park systems amounted to about $54.7 billion, creating $139.6 billion in economic activity, almost $68 billion in value added, and more than 990,000 jobs that boosted labor income by $43.8 billion. Table 1 Economic Impacts of Local and Regional Public Parks on the United States Economy — 2013 Operating Impacts Capital Spending Impacts Total Impact of Local and Regional Parks’ Spending Economic Activity (transactions) $79,972,818,000 $59,655,408,000 $139,628,226,000 Value Added (GDP) $38,782,352,000 $29,169,189,000 $67,951,541,000 Labor Income (salaries, wages, benefits) $24,176,431,000 $19,613,750,000 $43,790,181,000 Employment (jobs) 658,478 jobs 340,604 jobs 999,082 jobs Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, PRORAGIS, IMPLAN (RIMS), Center for Regional Analysis
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