The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) proposed outdoor recreation funding solutions after revealing a report on U.S. recreation funding.
The report “Recreation Funding in America: Current Results and Future Insights” by Southwick Associates assessed current federal funding patterns for outdoor recreation. The report identified potential threats to funding sources including evolving participation, inflation impacts and weather events/climate change.
The report concluded that while outdoor recreation accounts for 2.2% of the U.S. gross domestic product, 0.16% of the federal budget is designated to the section.
ORR’s report said that the federal outdoor recreation budget must increase by 74% to keep up with inflation standards.
According to the report, while the federal budget has grown by 76% and recreation participation has grown by 45%, recreation spending has grown by 22% in the past 20 years.
ORR President Jessica Wahl Turner said, “As stewards of a sector that not only fuels a $1.1 trillion economy but also enriches the health and well-being of our communities, we must develop collaborative strategies to secure and enhance funding for our invaluable outdoor places and programs.”
ORR proposed solutions such as increasing support for the federal budget’s recreation spending, establishing a White House Commission on outdoor recreation and passing the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation (EXPLORE) Act. The association encouraged initiatives to welcome and support new recreation participants and new spending models for outdoor locations and programs.
To access the report, click here.
