The Big Picture: Impact and Promise

For the East Coast Greenway Alliance, 2023 was a record year of support and progress. Our financial strength gave us the wherewithal to grow our staff to accelerate Greenway development in this pivotal infrastructure moment.

With a focus on enhanced safety and spreading the joy of biking and walking to millions more people in our corridor, we are rising to build a healthier, more sustainable and more united society from urban centers to rural regions, Maine to Florida. This is our moment to make the Greenway vision a reality! 

The study, "Investing in Our Future: Quantifying the Impact of Completing the East Coast Greenway in the Delaware River Watershed" was prepared by NV5 and EConsult Solutions in March 2019. The report's key finding: Completing the East Coast Greenway in the Greater Philadelphia region would mean $3 billion in public health, environmental, and economic benefits.

The East Coast Greenway Alliance commissioned a study in 2017 to put numbers on what we know to be true: Greenways are good for economic growth. Prepared by Alta Planning + Design and sponsored by GSK, the report finds that the East Coast Greenway generates $90 million in total benefits annually for the Triangle region, from gains in health and the environment to transportation and access benefits, economic gains, and increased property values.

The Capital Trails Coalition, in partnership with a team of experts, spent two years developing an impact report to quantify the economic, health, and environmental benefits of our region’s 881 mile multi-use trail network. A key hub of the East Coast Greenway, Washington DC region is uniquely positioned to have the best trails system in the nation.

Ernst & Young LLP on behalf of the Greater Washington Partnership released a report on the Economic and Social Benefits of Completing the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. The study examines the potential economic and social benefits of a $28 million plan to expand and connect existing trails in Baltimore City to complete the Greenway Trails Network, a key stretch of the East Coast Greenway. 

Only 10 miles of trail construction is needed to complete a 35-mile trail system that will provide access to a safe, car-free trail network that connects 75 neighborhoods to new recreational and economic opportunities. When finished, the trail network has the potential to unlock new economic, health and social benefits for city residents. 

“Trails consistently remain the number one community amenity sought by prospective homeowners.” — National Association of Homebuilders (2008) in "Evidence of many varieties of economic benefits linked to trails "(2011)

After a nearly 3-mile walk/bike path was built as a part of the Ravenel bridge in Charleston, SC, local researchers surveyed users. Sixty-seven percent said that they exercise more since the opening of the path. This increase was even more pronounced for African Americans — 85 percent became more active thanks to [the path]. For a state with one of the highest obesity rates, this is big news.” — The Federal Investment in Bicycling: 10 Success Stories (2013)

Every 300 miles of new greenway infrastructure in North Carolina results in “economic stimulus from upfront construction of $174 M supporting 1,600 jobs" and increased tourism activity of $128 M supporting 1,600 jobs. —WalkBikeNC: North Carolina Statewide Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan (2013)

"Property values are 5-20 percent higher near trails." — Headwaters Economics

Headwaters Economics, a nonprofit research group, has compiled a searchable collection of studies on the positive impacts of trails, especially in small or medium-sized towns and rural areas. The library is searchable by type of benefit, use, year, and region.  Search Trail Benefits Library