City Parks Alliance has released a new report, “A Smart Investment for America’s Economy: The Land and Water Conservation Fund,” which highlights the success stories of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in cities across America. The report details how cities are using LWCF grants to create measurable environmental, economic, and public health returns on urban park investments.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT (8MB PDF)
Since 2000, the number of young, educated adults moving to livable, walkable urban neighborhoods has increased
37%
Job opportunities in the outdoor industry dwarf those in oil & gas.
Oil & Gas Industry
2.1 million jobs
Outdoor Industry
6.1 million jobs
Parks save Philadelphia 14 billion dollars in water management costs.
Gray Infrastructure
$16 billion in costs
Green Infrastucture
$2 billon in costs
provides an overview of the physical, mental and environmental health benefits provided by urban parks and highlights the important role that LWCF plays in supporting strong, healthy communities across America.
DOWNLOAD THE Health REPORT (3MB PDF)
Maintaining a healthy weight saves
$1,500
per person in healthcare costs a year.
The high yearly costs of chronic diseases in the U.S.
Obesity
$147B
Diabetes
$245B
Heart Disease
$108B
The presence of parks in cities promotes healthy lifestyles that can be one of several factors that mitigate these costs.