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1.2 Community Benefits of Trails Trails provide numerous benefits to individuals and communities. Some are quite clear, such as improvements to users' health and fitness, but others are less obvious, such as economic and social benefits. Numerous studies, many of which are summarized in detail in the Oregon Trails 2016-2025 Non-motorized Trails Plan (Oregon Parks and Recreation Department), have documented these less well known benefits, which include: Economic Benefits Trails are more popular than ever and increasingly seen as an important part of a community's quality of life. Quality of life is increasingly one of the metrics cited as a major factor in determining desirable places to move to and to live and do business in. Trails draw not only local users, but tourists, and all trail users eventually spend money on things like shoes and clothing, equipment, food, gas and hotels. This spending in turn helps draw businesses and jobs to the community. Additionally, studies across the U.S. have demonstrated that proximity to trails and open space can increase the value of residential property as well as improve the ability to sell a property -real estate ads often list close-by trails and open space as a selling point. And, counter to some common misconceptions, studies consistently report no correlation between new trails going in and an increase in crime. In fact, support by property owners for nearby trails generally increases over time. Social~ Educational~ Historical~ and Cultural Benefits Trails tell stories and can build social capital, a sense of place, and a sense of pride and ownership in the community. Trails present wonderful opportunities for natural, historical, and cultural interpretation and education. They can be a moving classroom or an outdoor laboratory. They are great vehicles for building partnerships and community. In Eugene, our trails have benefited from strong partnerships developed with user groups, private businesses, landowners, non-profits and other government agencies. Volunteer efforts have helped build and continue to maintain many of our trails. Our trails reflect our local character, environment, history and are a source of our community identity. Think of the Willamette River; how Pre's trail is a defining element of Track Town USA; how Spencer and Skinner Buttes feature Eugene Trails Plan -2018 Spencer Butte can be a popular destination on a foggy day in the valley. Page 3