One of the few positive consequences of the COVID-era restrictions on everyday life was the widespread discovery, or rediscovery, of the joy of being outside. Outdoor recreation is one of the few economic sectors that grew during the pandemic, and it has continued to grow as individuals and families have picked up new hobbies and formed new traditions.
It’s in this context that, last Thursday, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the creation of a new Office of Outdoor Recreation, said to be the first in a state as large as Pennsylvania. Funding for the office comes from a $112 million appropriation in the state budget for enhancing access to the state’s natural resources for residents and visitors alike.
Outdoor recreation is a sweet spot for state investment that is both a public service and an economic development policy: It provides an inexpensive option for exercise and leisure, while also having a tremendous return on investment. A hike is one of the cheapest ways to spend a joyful and healthful day away from work, especially for families; but for the increasing number of people who get more seriously into outdoorsmanship, the necessary gear, food and travel provide a big boost to the state’s economy.
The Shapiro administration estimates that impact at $14 billion annually, plus 152,000 jobs. Nearly 40 million people visit the state’s park system each year, with Presque Isle in Erie and Ohiopyle in Fayette County always at the top of the list. Other popular Western Pennsylvania parks include Raccoon Creek for camping, backpacking and swimming; the 70-mile Laurel Highland Hiking Trail; and the majestic old-growth Cook Forest in Clarion County.
These parks not only preserve the natural beauty of Appalachia, but serve as economic drivers for their regions. The greatest success story in this respect is the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), which attracts one million users each year while generating $120 million in economic activity — based on an investment of a fraction of that figure. This is why Mr. Shapiro announced the Office of Outdoor Recreation in Connellsville, Fayette County, whose economy has been buoyed by cafes, inns and bike shops.
The office — similar to other Shapiro administration strategies that show a keen understanding of how government works, and how to make it work better — will coordinate among the departments of Conservation and Natural Resources, Community Economic Development, Health and Transportation to develop a coherent strategy for the state’s outdoor economy.
Local partners include the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, which advocates for policies to make enjoying the natural world more accessible to more people, and the Richard King Mellon Foundation, which has consistently supported the GAP — especially through the Progress Fund, which provides loans to rural businesses, many of which depend on outdoor recreation.
There are few investments the state can make that will enhance Pennsylvania’s holistic well-being — economic and personal — more than making the state’s natural resources more accessible. Despite the budget rancor in Harrisburg, the Office of Outdoor Recreation is an example of government working as it should.
First Published: September 6, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: September 6, 2023, 3:10 p.m.