1. The ROI of Cool:
Quantifying the Value of Linear Parks, Trails and Greenspace
2012

2. A Quick Summary
Today we have more projects competing for
fewer dollars.
So it is more important than ever for projects…
particularly Green projects… to be able to
quantify their benefits.
This presentation will explore the value of
shifting the Green Infrastructure discussion
points from qualitative to quantitative.

3. Linear Parks and Trails are Cool
They are pretty.
They are playgrounds.
They are civic centers.
They are centerpieces
of civic pride.
And they define our
communities.
And they are good for local economies.

4. Richard Florida Says So
His ‘Creative Class’ premise argues that…
“While it remains important to have a solid business
climate and good schools, regions interested in attracting
the most talented and creative workforce should invest in
lifestyle amenities like public art, cultural venues, parks
and running trails, safe bike lanes, and on and off road
cycling venues.”
These amenities will be the decisive source of
competitive advantage among communities.

5. So Does Michael Bloomberg
“Economists may not say it this way but the truth
of the matter is: being cool counts.
When people can find inspiration in a community
that also offers great parks, safe streets and
extensive mass transit, they vote with their feet.”

6. Great! So What’s the Problem?

7. Well, There’s Money
We now have more
infrastructure projects
competing for less
money, and parks and
trails are expensive.
Land is expensive.
Construction is expensive.
Maintenance is expensive.
‘Do the right thing,’ Creative Class arguments are
no longer enough to justify funding.

8. The Solution?
Show that Green Infrastructure offers benefits
that offset the costs.
Quantify the value of, or provide an ROI for,
Green infrastructure.

9. But do Parks and Trails have an ROI?
If a community invests
millions in the design and
construction of new trails
and acres of parkland what
will they get in return?
Or said another way…
“What is the ROI of that
Green Infrastructure?”
Buffalo Bayou
Partnership Buffalo and
Beyond Master Plan,
2002, prepared by
Thompson Design
Group

10. Is It More
Kid Stuff
and
Critters?

11. Is it
Fewer
Cars?
A Cooler
Cool?

12. It’s All of the Above… and More.
But How Do You Prove It?

13. Math
The following Case Studies briefly explore some of the
benefits flowing from Green Infrastructure, as well as
the math and methodology backing them up.
Case Study 1: Major Metro
Case Study 2: Mixed Use Suburban
Case Study 3: Low Density Semi‐Rural

14. Step One: Think Big
What sectors of a local economy might a trail
system impact the most?
• Fiscal
• Transportation
• Environmental
• Public Health

15. Step Two: Dig In
Where do the benefits accrue?
Individuals Benefit Communities Benefit
Municipalities Benefit Corporations Benefit

16. Step Three:
Determine What You Can Measure
• Recreation Benefits • Air Quality (CO2, NOx, VOC)
• Health Care Cost • Carbon Sequestration
Savings • Ecosystem Services
• Vehicle Operating Cost • Clean Water
Savings • Property Tax
• Crash Risk Reduction
• Property Value
Premiums

17. Step Four: Have Fun With Numbers
• Most benefits are derived from the number of individuals
who can be expected to use the trails in some form –
cyclists, hikers, runners, walkers, general recreational users,
and commuters
• User counts are predicated on population proximity to the
park/trail system with 1.5 miles being the limit of influence
• Using population counts
within 1.5 miles on either
side of the park/trail created
a 3 mile‐wide band
overlaying the entire system

18. Oh… Here Are Our Sources. Mostly.
• User predictions, the key to estimating impact and benefits,
are based on work developed in cooperation with the
Federal Highway Administration
• Assumptions and methodologies have been reviewed and
discussed with experts at Rice University, Texas A&M,
Baylor College of Medicine, Harris County Flood Control,
and Houston‐Galveston Area Council (H‐GAC)
• Data provided by H‐GAC, Trust for Public Lands, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Census Bureau, Texas
Transportation Institute, League of American Bicyclists,
Houston Parks Board

19. Major Metro Case Study
The Houston Parks Board’s
Bayou Greenway Initiative
300 Miles of Trails for $490 Million

20. The Bayou Greenway Map

21. The Bayou Greenway Amoeba Map

22. Bayou Greenway Numbers
So, It Costs $490 Million to Build and Connect 300 Miles
of Trails and You Estimate it Will Generate What…?
Recreation Benefits $ 63,209,711
Health Benefits $ 13,927,262
Vehicle Operating Cost Savings / Congestion Relief $ 3,778,207
Crash Reduction $ 280,336
Air Quality: VOC, NOx, CO2 $ 140,690
Carbon Sequestration $ 5,794
EcoSystem Services $ 20,972,475
Clean Water $ 390,890
Property Value $ 21,642,036
Estimated Annual Total (Moderate) $124,347,400
Total Number of Individuals Living Within 1.5 Mile Buffers: 1,919,228

23. The Bayou Greenway’s Bottom Line

24. Okay, What’s the ROI on
Bayou Greenway
Take $124,347,400 (Annual Benefits Estimate), divide
that by $490,000,000 (Estimated Cost to Build 300
Miles of Trails) and you get an annual ROI of .25.
Said another way, the projected benefits flowing
from the project will exceed construction costs in 4
years.

25. Mixed Use Suburban Case Study
Energy Corridor
Five Trails and a Tiger Grant

26. West Houston Trails

27. Overlapping Benefit Buffers

28. Scenario Modeling

29. Option 4 Numbers
Four separate trail alignments were considered. The following
recaps the results for one of the scenarios, Option 4.
Recreation Benefits $ 4,797,340
Health Benefits $ 1,056,251
Vehicle Operating Cost Savings / Congestion Relief $ 195,497
Crash Reduction $ 14,506
Air Quality: VOC, Nox, CO2 $ 7,280
Carbon Sequestration $ 5,794
EcoSystem Services $ 0
Clean Water $ 0
Property Value $ 2,366,004
Estimated Annual Total (Moderate) $10,306,465
Total Number of Individuals Living Within 1.5 Mile Buffers: 138,421

30. Low Density Semi‐Rural Case Study
Bayou Watershed Masterplan
Public Engagement

31. Regional Population Overview

32. Community Assets and Finger Trails

33. Bayou Watershed Numbers
The following projections are preliminary. Additional research
is being done to establish trail usage patterns, and assess the
impact of replanting native vegetation along the corridor.
Recreation Benefits $ 4,299,411
Health Benefits $ 947,631
Vehicle Operating Cost Savings / Congestion Relief $ 162,272
Crash Reduction $ 12,040
Air Quality: VOC, NOx, CO2 $ 6,043
Carbon Sequestration $ 554
EcoSystem Services $ 1,251,434
Clean Water $ 23,440
Property Value $ 2,184,017
Estimated Annual Total (Moderate) $ 8,967,892
Total Number of Individuals Living Within 1.5 Mile Buffers: 119,974

34. Modeling Green Infrastructure
What Else Can You Do Once You
Quantify Green Benefits?

35. Strategic Planning…

36. Master Planning…

37. Community Risk Assessments

38. The Take Away
Linear parks, trails, bikeways, and greenspace are cool.
And that “cool” has a very real value that can be
quantified much the way construction materials can.
So while funding for Green Infrastructure becomes
increasingly dependent upon its ROI, qualitative “do the
right thing” arguments will become less persuasive. And
numbers will become more persuasive.
Do the math.

39. Q and A?
Thank You!

40. For Follow‐Up We are…
John Havenstrite
jhavenstrite@marshdarcypartners.com
Sue Darcy
sdarcy@marshdarcypartners.com