Return on Environment

Case Study — Multiuse Trails in Chester County

Introduction

Multiuse trails are paved paths separated from vehicular traffic that are wide enough to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. These trails are envisioned to form an interconnected network for recreation and transportation. Chester County has taken the lead on developing the network's major spine trails such as the 14 mile Chester Valley Trail (CVT), and many municipalities have begun to develop trails to connect their communities to these spine trails. The East Branch Brandywine Trail, a 2.5 mile trail along the Brandywine Creek, is an example of such a trail.

Recreation and Health

Multiuse trails are cherished amenities in Chester County communities and offer safe opportunities to get outdoors and be active. Most recent trail user counts (October 2018) for the CVT show an average daily use of 524 cyclists and 322 pedestrians per day, which equates to over 309,000 users per year. According to the "Willingness to Pay" methodology used in the Return on Environment report, the estimated economic value of this trail to its users is $2.96 million annually. According to trail counts conducted by DVRPC in October 2018, the East Branch Brandywine Trail receives an average of 84 cyclists and 273 pedestrians per day for a total annual usage of 130,000. The estimated economic value of this trail to its users is $1.28 million annually.

Property Values

Well-maintained multiuse trails like the Chester Valley Trail can enhance residential property values — sometimes significantly. According to an analysis of real estate sales within a quarter mile of the trail, proximity to the Chester Valley Trail equates to an average increase in property value of $20,499 per home. In addition to boosting residential property values, businesses located near multiuse trails often promote their trailside location to recruit new employees looking for commuting alternatives, and businesses choose to locate in communities that offer amenities such as parks in order to attract and retain workers. For example, in the Valley Creek Office Complex in West Whiteland Township, both Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) and HomeNet Automotive use the trails as part of their HR package and discuss the CVT as an amenity which they have direct access to, with a trailhead adjacent to their office space.