Over 8 million Texans, on average, have visited state parks each year since 2014. Last year, that number shot up to 10 million and could continue to increase as the state population grows by nearly 10 million more people between now and Texas’ bicentennial in 2036. And Texas state parks have a powerful economic impact, particularly in rural counties.
To understand the potential impact of this increased demand on the quality of life and local economies in Texas, Texas 2036 teamed up with the Center for Public Finance at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy to produce the report, Investing in Texas: State Parks and Rural Economic Development.
Data from Texas and other states indicate that every $1 in public money spent on parks can generate between $4 and $12 in economic return. Investing in state parks through maintaining and improving existing facilities and expanding the number of state parks available to meet Texans’ growing demand for outdoor recreation will generate meaningful and measurable economic benefits for the state as a whole, but especially for local and rural economies.
“State parks are magnets for people and businesses. They create jobs and expand local economies,” said Dr. Joyce Beebe, a fellow at the Center for Public Finance and author of the new report. “More people want to visit Texas’ state parks than ever before. If the state expands the number of state parks, Texas’ economy will benefit – along with the economies of local communities – and Texans will thank the legislature for the additional resources and activities.”
In addition to maintaining existing facilities, new state parks would unleash pent-up demand. In 2019, TPWD unveiled a new reservation system to make it easier for visitors to purchase day-use permits in advance, helping reduce the number of visitors turned away. But reservations are still recommended months in advance, suggesting that additional parks are needed to meet existing and future demand.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreational activities in Texas generated about $32 billion in economic activity in 2020 — or about 2% of Texas’ Gross Domestic Product, in line with the national average — and supported 300,000 jobs.
Dr. Beebe reports that between 2009 and 2019, rural counties with parks saw:
–6% higher GDP growth;
–4% higher population growth; and
–2% higher employment growth compared to rural counties without state parks.
“While most Texans might think of recreation or outdoor activities when they think of parks, what our study found was that they are also economic development drivers,” said John Hryhorchuk, senior vice president of policy and advocacy at Texas 2036. “Expanding the number of state parks could be a game-changer for rural communities by creating more opportunities for job growth and economic strength.”
Data from Texas and other states show that every $1 in public money spent on parks can generate $4–$12 in economic return. States like Arizona, California and Colorado have begun investing substantially in their state parks since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.
With the positive impact of state parks on local economies, it’s no surprise that Texans want lawmakers to invest in state parks. In 2019, 88% of Texas voters supported a constitutional amendment to dedicate sporting goods sales tax funds to state parks and historical sites. And last August, Texas 2036’s Texas Voter Poll found that almost 7 out of 10 Texas voters supported using $1 billion — or about 6% of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act fiscal relief fund allocation — to build new state parks and improve existing parks.
To download the report, visit www.texas2036.org/investing-in-texas
About Texas 2036
Texas 2036 is a nonprofit organization building long-term, data-driven strategies to secure Texas’ prosperity through our state’s bicentennial and beyond. We offer non-partisan ideas and modern solutions that are grounded in research and data on issues that matter most to all Texans. For more information, visit www.texas2036.org.
About the Center for Public Finance
The Center for Public Finance (CPF) at Rice University’s Baker Institute focuses on the economic effects of major U.S. fiscal policies. Given the complexity of the U.S. tax system and the unsustainable nature of current U.S. tax and spending policies, the center examines the potential effects of various fiscal reforms on economic growth and the distribution of income to inform policymakers, stakeholders and the general public. In addition, CPF examines the challenges facing the country if policymakers continue to delay implementing solutions to these critical issues. CPF scholars actively participate in the policymaking process by advising various national government agencies, state and international governments, and multilateral development institutions, as well as various key individual policymakers. CPF scholars routinely present their work at CPF sponsored events, other public and private events, and in testimony before federal and state government committees.”
