What supports more than 6.5 million jobs and contributes $730 billion to the U.S. economy every year? Recreation.
Yep, that’s right. Here at home, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports that more than 22 million people visit our state parks and recreation areas each year, with Michigan State Park operations contributing $640 million annually to local economies.
And that isn't even touching on the vast variety of local parks and recreation facilities and programs found within our cities, villages and urban townships, and the civic engagement that's created and nurtured by the awareness that people care about and will support and work for the things that make their lives better and more enjoyable. Thankfully, more and more of us are realizing the value of all this to a community’s quality of life and its bottom line. As you thumb through this issue of The Review, you’ll find articles on successful park millages, how to market community events, recreation authorities, grant writing, and more that show the placemaking power of parks and recreation.
Civic engagement can be built around all kinds of ideas. Click here to read a powerful and inspiring story about civic engagement in Ypsilanti that is nurturing entrepreneurship to revitalize the city's historic downtown.
Click here to get started reading the whole issue online!
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