PA Environment Digest

Some interesting statistics surface in the results of a 2011 user survey focusing on the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail and Conewago Recreation Trail. Among the findings detailed in report by the Rail-to-Trail Conservancy:

-- Data accumulated from infrared counters located along the trails and completed surveys received from users indicates an estimated 125,244 annual user visits to the combined trails. These user visits resulted in a total economic impact in 2011 of $1,326,117 (including $875,320 directly into the local economy);

-- ZIP codes indicate a large majority (64.5 percent) of trail users on the Lebanon and Conewago trails are from the local communities in Lancaster, Lebanon and Dauphin counties;

-- Another 15 percent are visiting from nearby counties, and 14.5 percent reported coming from distant counties or out of state. The majority of respondents (51.8 percent) reported using the trail at least twice a week or more;

-- The age profile of users of these trails is similar to other trail surveys, with the majority of users (53.8 percent) in the range of 46 to 65 years old.

The 15-mile Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail and the 5.5-mile Conewago Recreation Trail represent one continuous trail corridor maintained by two separate entities in Pennsylvania. The Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail is owned and maintained by the all-volunteer, nonprofit Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails, Inc. (LVRT). The Conewago Recreation Trail is owned and maintained by the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation.

During 2011, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy conducted this study of the users of the trail under a DCNR grant. The survey was designed to monitor trail user characteristics and economic impact.

Survey forms were available at 11 locations along the trails between Lebanon and Elizabethtown from the beginning of May through October 2011. In all, 563 completed survey forms were included in the analysis.

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