Dallas Park Visitor Count & Economic Impact Study
City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department (DPARD)
HR&A conducted comprehensive economic impact analysis for the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department, demonstrating that the city’s 382 parks and 145 miles of trails generate a seven-to-one return on public investment. Our analysis of community benefits including job growth, health impacts, and resiliency, along with development of a visitor count methodology, provided the foundation for a successful $262 million bond proposal that gained overwhelming voter approval in 2017.
The Dallas Parks and Recreation Department manages one of the nation’s largest park systems but faced budget constraints threatening maintenance and expansion of community assets. HR&A assessed parks’ incremental impact on real estate values, tourism, environmental benefits, and city-building outcomes, finding that Dallas parks contribute approximately $678 million annually to the local economy. We also developed a comprehensive visitor count methodology and established goals for improving visitor tracking through technology implementation, providing tools to measure and communicate park usage and value.
Our analysis revealed Dallas spent 40 percent less per resident on operations and 45 percent less on capital improvements compared to peer systems, indicating substantial investment opportunity. Working with the City, we identified projects that would maximize value creation while addressing critical needs. The compelling economic case enabled successful advocacy for the $262 million bond proposal, which voters overwhelmingly approved. Local entities pledged an additional $150 million in matching funds, securing resources for improvements that will generate substantial returns while enhancing quality of life for Dallas residents.
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