Outdoor Rec Director is touring the Commonwealth to uncover the hidden value of outdoor assets
Outdoor Recreation Director Nathan Reigner is making some focused efforts to unite, grow and strengthen Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy. By holding stakeholder meetings, Commonwealth residents will have the opportunity to come together to solidify the state’s commitment to focusing on the outdoor recreation sector.
Late in April, he will hold one of the meetings at Johnstown Area Heritage Discovery Center in Johnstown.
Stakeholder Meetings will be an opportunity for Reigner to get into the community and listen to the residents. This outdoor rec tour will include stops at various locations throughout the state:
- Wednesday, March 29—York College’s Center for Community Engagement
- Wednesday, April 5—John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
- Thursday, April 6—Nurture Nature Center
- Tuesday, April 11—Conewango Club
- Wednesday, April 12—Lycoming College
- Thursday, April 13—Montage Mountain
- Tuesday, April 25—Frick Environmental Center
- Wednesday, April 26—Johnstown Area Heritage Discovery Center* [NEW LOCATION]
- Thursday, April 27—Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park, Erie
“We are excited to connect with businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and other relevant stakeholders to hear from them about how to maximize the hidden value outdoor recreation has in the commonwealth,” Reigner said. “It is critical that we support the growth of the outdoor recreation sector to help improve health and wellness, conservation efforts, job creation, and so much more.”
Reigner said that outdoor recreation businesses connect people to opportunities to build outdoor recreation into their daily lives. “We are hopeful that we can harness the community that is built through running, biking and other outdoor recreation activities to broaden the benefits and impact of this important piece of our economy,” he said.
Pennsylvania’s outdoor sector adds nearly $14 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy each year and supports 152,000 jobs in the state. Pennsylvania has the sixth-largest outdoor recreation economy in the country. This is largely due to the vast recreational assets and the active participation of the state’s residents.
Residents feel outdoor recreation is a vital element of their lives. According to DCNR:
- 93% of Pennsylvanians participate in outdoor recreation, and more than half at least once or twice a month.
- 90% agree that outdoor recreation is an essential part of their lives.
- 65% agree that parks, trails and open space are essential parts of the health care system.
- 91% of Pennsylvanians support increasing state funds to support outdoor recreation and recreation area conservation.
- 79% of outdoor enthusiasts agree that trails should be high priority for infrastructure investment.
Visit DCNR’s website to discover what Pennsylvania has to offer in the outdoor space.
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