PARKS AND TRAILS

HEALTHY PEOPLE AND ECONOMY

Bay Area parks and trails are lively and well-used public spaces—the Golden Gate National Recreation Area alone draws more than 13 million people a year, making it California’s most visited national park. These protected open spaces attract residents and tourists, yielding public health and economic benefits for the region and the state.

Plentiful, accessible parks and trails result in:

A Stronger Economy
Muir Woods, Golden Gate Park, and other famed landscapes help make California a top tourist destination. Accessible parks and trails also contribute to a high quality of life that attracts a strong workforce, encouraging businesses to locate and stay here.

Healthier Kids and Adults
Studies show that people exercise more when outdoor recreation spaces are nearby, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called for creating more parks and playgrounds to help fight the obesity epidemic.

By expanding our network of parks and trails and keeping them in peak condition, we can make sure the state has a solid foundation for business growth and meets the needs of a growing population.

Bay Trail Knits Counties Together

Linking 47 cities in all nine Bay Area counties and ultimately crossing all major bridges, a completed Bay Trail would be a 500-mile pathway rivaled by few others worldwide.

Nearly 2.7 million people and 1.8 million jobs are within two miles of the trail, making it convenient not only for hiking, jogging, skating, and wildlife watching but also for cycling or walking to work—healthy, climate-friendly commute options that also relieve traffic.

The Bay Trail enjoys widespread public support, but is only 60% complete. It will take $191 million to make the vision a reality.