Parks & Trails Visitor Impact Study

2026-11-03

The selected firm shall provide services for this project that determine current visitor use numbers , peak times , and trends ; and economic impact of current use and that of projected demographic changes Deliverables : 1 . Visitor Use and Trend Analysis • Total annual visitor use estimates for each park and for the Great Northern Regional Trail • Peak and off peak visitation patterns by hour , day , and season • Visitor segmentation including : local vs . non - local users , activity types , demographics ( as feasible ), repeat vs . first - time users • Documentation of all data collection methods , assumptions , sampling frames , and margin of error • Maps and charts visualizing visitor distribution and temporal trends 2 . Visitor Journey and Economic Impact Analysis • Visitor origin analysis using survey data , mobile data , or other defensible methods • Travel distance patterns and catchment area mapping • Detailed profiles of visitor spending before , during , and after their park or trail visit • Economic impact modeling results ( IMPLAN , RIMS - II , or comparable system ), including direct , indirect , and induced effects • Sensitivity analysis with alternative scenarios ( e . g ., projected demographic growth , expanded programming , increased visitation ) • Summary of economic benefits to Sherburne County communities , specifically identifying local business sectors most affected 3 . Public Health , Quality of Life , and Non Market Benefit Assessment • Narrative and quantitative analysis of public health outcomes associated with SCPR parks and trails • Quality of life benefits supported by academic or industry - standard methodologies • Non - market valuation or proxy indicators ( e . g ., avoided healthcare costs , environmental service values , recreation value per visit ) • Clear explanation of methods used , assumptions , and limitations 4 . Data Deliverables and Technical Files • All raw datasets collected ( survey responses , counter data , GPS / mobile data summaries ) in editable formats • GIS layers , shapefiles , heat maps , and spatial analysis files

Minnesota

2026-04-29