Cincinnati and Hamilton County benefit from one of the nation’s most robust park systems, offering more than scenic landscapes. These green spaces serve as vital community centers where people gather, recharge, and engage with nature. Alongside cultural institutions and sports teams, Great Parks enhances the region’s appeal as a place to live, work, and enjoy recreation.
Spending time outdoors delivers measurable benefits for mental and physical well-being, strengthens social bonds, and supports environmental sustainability. Last year, over 7 million visits were recorded across Great Parks and conservation areas, making them the most frequented attractions in the region.
Beyond wellness and leisure, the parks significantly contribute to the local economy. A recent study by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center found that every $1 in taxpayer funding for Great Parks generated $3.15 in economic activity within Hamilton County, amounting to a total impact of $138 million in 2024. This figure accounts not only for operational spending but also for expenditures by visitors, including dining, shopping, and lodging.
Out-of-county guests alone contributed $47 million to the regional economy last year, supporting more than 350 local jobs. The economic ripple effect continues: in 2024, park-related activity generated $3.5 million in tax revenue for Hamilton County and other governmental entities.
Nationally, public parks are recognized as economic drivers. According to the National Recreation and Park Association, U.S. parks and recreation agencies fueled nearly $201 billion in economic activity in 2021. Ohio ranks among the top ten states, with parks contributing $5 billion to its economy.
A major factor behind this appeal is the expansion of trail networks. Public input in the Comprehensive Master Plan identified trail development as the top priority. Great Parks has responded by prioritizing connectivity, enabling residents to bike or walk between neighborhoods, access cafes, breweries, and local shops.
The Oasis Trail exemplifies this vision. A long-standing regional goal, this corridor will link downtown Cincinnati to surrounding areas. Progress is already revitalizing adjacent communities, with new housing, restaurants, and nonprofits emerging along its path.
Similarly, the Columbia Connector—a trail linking the Little Miami Scenic Trail to Wasson Way through Columbia Township and Mariemont—has drawn large weekend crowds, boosting nearby businesses. These projects illustrate how infrastructure investments in greenways stimulate economic vitality.
Expansion continues with new offerings: a nature-inspired playground at Sharon Woods, expanded mountain biking trails at Avoca Trailhead, skills courses in Mitchell Memorial Forest, and improved river access at Bass Island on the Little Miami River. Additionally, the planned West Region Blueway and Trail system will span 36 miles along the Great Miami and Whitewater rivers, offering paddling, hiking, biking, and educational opportunities in western Hamilton County.
Economic development organizations like the Cincinnati Regional Chamber and REDI highlight regional trails as a key asset in attracting businesses. The ability to commute or dine via foot or bike is increasingly valued for its health and efficiency benefits.
Even national publications recognize nature’s restorative power. A June 2025 Reader’s Digest article titled “How Nature Heals” describes walking in natural settings as one of the closest things to a universal remedy, with wide-ranging advantages.
Great Parks are more than open green spaces—they are catalysts for community connection, public health, and economic development. They provide spaces where families bond, children explore nature, and visitors inject new energy into local commerce.
The benefits are accessible to all. As Melissa Wegman, president of the Great Parks Board of Park Commissioners, encourages, residents should take time to explore these nearby resources. The invitation is open: discover what awaits in your own backyard.
— news from Cincinnati Enquirer
— News Original —
Great Parks are more than big, beautiful green spaces | Opinion
Cincinnati and Hamilton County are fortunate to have some of the best parks in the country. They are more than just green spaces; they’re places to gather, recharge, and connect. Our parks add to the arts, museums and sports teams as assets that make our region a better place to live, work and play. n nThese outdoor adventures are good for us. Whether paddling on a lake, setting out on a trail, or camping under the stars, time spent in parks pays dividends for our positive mental and physical health, our communities and environmental outcomes. And more people are accessing these benefits from Great Parks, with over 7 million visits to our parks and conservation areas last year, placing them as the most visited attraction in the region. n nBut the impact doesn’t stop at fresh air and the adrenaline rush from our new mountain bike trail or the serenity found on a stroll under our vast tree canopy. Our parks fuel the local economy, too. There are significant economic benefits that come from the parks, where our green space brings financial contributions into the regional economy. n nThe University of Cincinnati Economics Center published a recent study concluding that every $1 of tax funding for Great Parks stimulated $3.15 in economic activity in Hamilton County, with a total economic impact of $138 million in 2024. The study includes not only Great Parks expenditures, but also new money entering the region from Great Parks visitors. These are guests who could be making day trips to visit Great Parks destinations, stopping in a restaurant, or reserving a hotel room to make a weekend out of it. Out-of-county visitors alone visiting Great Parks brought an economic impact of $47 million last year, supporting more than 350 jobs in Hamilton County. n nThose dollars don’t stop here. They keep working after a guest’s first visit to Great Parks, actively generating $3.5 million in tax revenues in 2024 for Hamilton County, other local governments and the state of Ohio. n nNationally, the story is the same. Parks are big economic engines and are great for local economies. A National Recreation and Park Association study revealed that across the U.S., public parks and recreation agencies created nearly $201 billion in economic activity in 2021. Ohio ranks in the top 10, with a $5 billion economic impact from parks. n nSo what is driving the draw to parks? Trails. People want to be outside on our trails, walking or biking, and have destinations along the way. One of the biggest magnets for Great Parks is our ambitious growth in trails. In fact, the top goal that the public established for Great Parks in our Comprehensive Master Plan was to build more trails. That’s why Great Parks prioritizes building more trails and connections. These trails are places where you can ride from one neighborhood to the next, stop by a café for a coffee, discover a brewery, or enjoy local shops along these corridors. n nThe Oasis Trail is a perfect example of a long-held community vision that’s becoming a reality. Building this regional connection to downtown Cincinnati has been a regional goal for decades, and Great Parks has been advancing the trail in close collaboration with SORTA and the City of Cincinnati. Visit Riverside Drive, along the future route of the Oasis Trail, and you can already see how trails like these spark energy in nearby communities, with new housing, restaurants, nonprofits, and other economic activity thriving around them. Much of this is in anticipation of the transformative effect the trail will have on local neighborhoods. n nA similar story is playing out at the Columbia Connector, the spur that will link the Little Miami Scenic Trail through Columbia Township and Mariemont to Wasson Way. Stop by the Columbia Connector on the weekend and you’ll see big crowds of people in the area, taking advantage of the trail and spending money with thriving local businesses. n nAnd we are not stopping. Bring your family to check out our new destination playground inspired by the landscape and wildlife at Sharon Woods. You can take a hike or jump on a mountain bike to enjoy the expansion of natural surface trails at the Avoca Trailhead or the new skills course and skills loop at Mitchell Memorial Forest. And for the water lovers, the upcoming improved access to the Little Miami River at Bass Island will be another way to connect with Great Parks. As a lifelong Westsider, what really gets me excited is Great Parks’ plan to continue the momentum with the West Region Blueway and Trail system that will enable residents and visitors to bike, hike, walk, paddle and learn along 36 miles of river corridor on the Great Miami and Whitewater rivers up in western Hamilton County. All promise to become major selling points for us, expanding upon the sizeable economic impact Great Parks delivers for our region. n nEconomic development partners such as the Cincinnati Regional Chamber and REDI often share that their business contacts are attracted by our regional trails network. The idea of biking or walking to a job or dining area is a growing priority because it’s healthy and efficient for workers and employers. Even in the June 2025 issue of Reader’s Digest, the article “How Nature Heals” talks about the many reasons for a walk is as close to a cure-all as you’ll find, with benefits far beyond the obvious. n nGreat Parks are more than big, beautiful green spaces; they’re catalysts for community, health, and economic prosperity. They’re where kids discover nature, where neighbors connect, families celebrate, and visitors bring new life into our local economy. n nThe benefits are all around us, and the best part is, they’re here for everyone. So lace up your shoes, grab your family or friends, and get out to discover what’s waiting in your own backyard. The invitation is open, so get out and Find Your Wild with us. n nMelissa Wegman is president of the Great Parks Board of Park Commissioners.