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Ghost Town Trail 2009 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis

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The Ghost Town Trail, a 36-mile multi-use pathway in Pennsylvania between Ebensburg in Cambria County and Saylor Park in Black Lick, Indiana County has an estimated 75,557 annual user visits. Between April and October 2009, visitors spent $1.7 million on food and overnight accommodations in conjunction with a trail visit. Eighty-eight percent of those surveyed had purchased hard goods (bikes, bike accessories, clothing, etc.) in the past year in conjunction with their use of the trail at an average cost of $357.63 and twelve percent of respondents stayed overnight in conjunction with their visit, spending an average of $78.04 nightly on lodging.

Survey & Economic Impact Findings:

  • In 2009, 88.4% of the sample responded that their use of the trail had influenced a purchase of "hard goods" items including bikes, bike supplies, auto accessories, shoes, clothes and camping gear.
    • The average of these "hard goods" purchases was $357.63.
    • With 75,600 estimated trail users annually, and an average life spam of six years for "hard goods" purchases, this equates to $675,157 in trail revenue.
  • 72.2% of the sample responded that their use of the trail had influenced a purchase of "soft goods" including drinks and food items on their most recent visit to the trail.
    • The average of these "soft goods" purchases was $13.62.
    • With 75,600 estimated trail users annually, this equates to $743,423 in trail related revenue.
  • 7.3% of the sample indicated that their trail visit included an overnight stay.
    • The average expenditure per night was $78.04.

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Ghost_Town_Trail_2009_User_Survey_and_Economic_Impact_Analysis.pdf
(pdf, 6.0 mb)

Year: 2009

Author(s): Patricia A. Tomes

Organization/Source: Rails to Trails Conservancy

Topic tags: Economic Benefits of Trails