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I °�=°° \ P ARKS AND RECREATION • . . . .rs o The Benefits are Endless . . • Here are some examples from around the country of the ways parks, recreation and leisure programs are improving lives and communities... Individual Benefits Economic Benefits Improved Academic Performance Property Values Increased • In 1991,75%of the children enrolled in the Fort Myers, a In Salem,Oregon,urban land next to a green belt was worth Florida,STARS Program were making less than a C average in $1,200 more per acre than urban land 1,000 feet away. school.After the program, 80%of the 1,500 children enrolled (Healing America's Cities—i 994) had brought their grades up to a C average or better. (Healing Reduced Health Care Costs America's Cities 1994) ,. • Steelcase Corporation showed that medical costs were 55% Health Benefits in LaterYears lower for fitness program participants than non-participants •Women con attain higher bone density through childhood over a six year period,an average of$478 for participants vs. participation in organized sports and fitness programs,thereby $870 for non-participants. (The Economic Benefits of Regular establishing a strong health base to combat osteoporosis in later Exercise-1992) years.(The Benefits of Parks and Recreation-A Catalogue 1992) Increased Productivity Improved Health Benefits Immediately • Union Pacific Railroad found that 80%of its employees believed • A water aerobics program two times a week for 16 weeks that their exercise programs were helping them be more significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure, body fat and productive at work. Seventy five percent thought that regular body weight in elderly community residents. (The Benefits exercise was helping them achieve higher levels of relaxation of Parks and Recreation—A Catalogue 1992) and concentration at work. (The Economic Benefits of Regular Positive Changes in Self-Concept Exercise-1992) • Significant and marked positive changes in self-concept Stimulus for Tourism 40 were shown by sixth graders participating in 5-day camping • Parks stimulate tourism activity nationwide.Two thirds of all programs. (The Benefits of Parks and Recreation—A Catalogue visitors to Oregon stopped at a state park in 1993, generating 1992) an annual economic impact to the state estimated at$500 million.Oregon ranks 31st nationally in amount of state park Community Benefits land and comes in fourth notionally in park usage. (Oregon State Parks-1994) Reduced Incarceration Rates • The US incarceration rate average is 426 prisoners per Environmental Benefits 100,000 population.This is the highest of any country in the Pollution Controls world. Britain's rate is 97 per 100,000.Minnesota started alternative programs in 1973 and now has an incarceration • Greenways which help conserve plants and trees provide a rate of 73 per 100,000. (Healing America's Cities-1994) valuable contribution toward pollution control because they Reduced juvenile Crime mitigate water,air and noise pollution. (National Park Service-1990) • In Fort Myers, Florida,juvenile arrests have dropped 28%since Preservation of Natural Habitat 1990 when the city began its STARS program for adolescents. Cost per participant—$158.00(Healing America's Cities 1994) •Without increased amount of natural habitat,forest lands, • In Phoenix during 1993-94,approximately 5,200 youths were wetlands, cultural sites and recreation land,the continued detained for curfew violations.The City Street Project since 1993 degradation of habitat will continue which will undoubtedly is a curfew program to reduce juvenile crime and violence. lead to additional Endangered Species Act listings,complete Police report that the curfew program has reduced juvenile night- with public contention and economic disruption. (Creating a time criminal activity and violence with a 10.4%reduction in Conservation and Recreation Legacy-1994) juvenile arrests during the First 11 months of the program. Cost Air,Water and Soil Quality per person—$105.74. (Beyond Fun and Games-1994) • According to a study conducted at the University of Calcutta, • Cincinnati,Ohio initiated the Late Evening Recreation Programs Indio,one tree's contribution over 50 years in controlling air in 1993. During the initial 13 week period,the number of pollution, soil erosion, soil fertility, recycling water and juvenile criminal incidents dropped 24%from 645 to 491.Cost humidity is worth a total of$196,250. (Oregon Department per person—$56. (Beyond Fun and Games-1994) of Forestry-1994) Increased Community Pride Community Support for Improved Quality of'Life • In Philadelphia after police helped neighborhood volunteers • In 1992, 64 percent of Los Angeles County voters approved dean up vacant lots and plant gardens, burglaries and thefts Proposition A,the Safe Neighborhood Parks Act—a special in the precinct dropped 90%—from about 40 crimes each property tax surcharge that provides $540 million to redesign month before the cleanup to an average of only four per month. old parks, buy land and build recreation facilities. (Healing America's Cities 1994)