The following article is posted with permission from Pennsylvania Borough News, August 2026 Time spent outdoors provides numerous benefits to individuals, from stress reduction to lower blood pressure to an enhanced sense of connection. Conserved lands like state parks and forests – where outdoor recreational opportunities abound – provide nearby residents with clean air and pure water that also keep them healthy.
Why does that matter to boroughs?
Quality of life is a defining factor in where people choose to live, work and play, as well as where companies choose to locate. When places make people feel happy and healthy, they tend to want to stick around. Non-res- idents visit, spending money that supports the local economy. Boroughs can capitalize on the many benefits of outdoor recreation to enhance the success of their businesses and the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Sierra Fogal is no stranger to the outdoor recreation world. She grew up in Jim Thorpe Borough, biking on the Delaware & Lehigh (D&L) Trail and rafting on the Del- aware River. After some time spent working in corporate America, Fogal was talked into coming back from Califor- nia to Jim Thorpe to help run her father’s family business, Pocono Whitewater. That was in 2015, and she has been leading the company as president ever since.
“Pennsylvania has a unique variety of natural resources, trails for hiking and biking, heritage areas, and water resources for rafting and fishing,” said Fogal. “Plus, we are located near large population centers, so both locals and people farther away can enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities our state has to offer.”
With 124 state parks, more than 2 million acres of state forest land, and countless community parks and green spaces, opportunities for outdoor recreation abound in every corner of Pennsylvania. Alongside these public lands are myriad outdoor businesses – from bike rentals to raft- ing guides to fishing bait and tackle shops – that depend on an influx of locals and tourists to survive and thrive.
“Visiting a state park or forest brings people into local communities, where they often spend money at places like gas stations, restaurants, and stores,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “Research done by Penn State to support the creation of the Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2025-2029 shows that 85% of Pennsylvanians participated in one or more types of outdoor recreation in the past year and that more than half the respondents spent money at local establishments. Supporting outdoor recreation means supporting economic prosperity.”
Annually, Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy generates $18.9 billion, with a 5% annual growth rate over the last decade, according to research done by the York County Economic Alliance and Firefly Consultancy. Their research also shows that the industry creates more than 168,000 jobs that generate $8.6 billion in salaries and wages, along with $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Parks, forests, and other public green spaces are effective economic engines for Pennsylvania boroughs, because, as Dr. Silas Chamberlin notes, “Boroughs are usually the gateway communities where recreation begins. There are 9,000+ outdoor businesses in all corners of the state. These businesses just need borough officials to realize they are there, and then boroughs can help promote them.”
Dr. Chamberlin is the Interim Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania, which offi- cially launched in the fall of 2025. The Alliance’s mission involves “elevating the needs of PA’s outdoor recreation industry and supporting outdoor business development, innovation, and growth.” Before its launch, Dr. Chamberlin and others spent a year working with the PA Office of Outdoor Recreation and consultants, meeting with similar programs in other states, as well as with outdoor businesses across the state, to learn what is working well and find out what outdoor businesses need to be even more successful. This effort culminated in a plan that can be accessed at obapa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ ELEVATE-Outdoor-PA.pdf.
As Dr. Chamberlin noted, companies like Dicks Sporting Goods are vastly different from a bed & breakfast located along a rail trail. The Outdoor Business Alliance will be inclusive and supportive of all businesses across Pennsylvania, large and small.
The Alliance is already highly active, providing a monthly webinar series to assist outdoor businesses (that can be accessed through their website), and holding an inaugural summit in State College with an outdoor expo and educational panels. The Alliance is also launching a grant program for outdoor businesses to help with marketing, prototyping new gear, and filling other business needs.
Longer term, the Alliance will look to find ways for outdoor businesses to access capital, especially for those in rural areas where it is currently more challenging to get loans. The Outdoor Business Alliance will match funders across Pennsylvania with businesses in need, then later release a “State of Capital” report detailing the funding gaps and ways to fill them.
“Boroughs don’t have to start big,” said Dr. Chamberlin. “You hear about counties that are doing big strategic plans, but with outdoor recreation, boroughs and other municipalities can start smaller. If you have a sports field complex and you get a big soccer tournament, or you have a fishing derby, that is all part of the outdoor economy. Some of this is already happening in your borough, so learn to capitalize on that.”
Columbia Borough in Lancaster County is one such example. What began with the construction of the Columbia Crossings Visitor Center and Columbia River Park along the Susquehanna River has spread downtown, with numerous bike racks, signage, unique events, and outdoor dining. These simple steps have revitalized long-standing businesses like a bike shop and brewery and are bringing in new business, such as a hotel.
“There was a time, ten to fifteen years ago, when there were more vacant stores than operating ones, “said Columbia Borough Mayor Leo Lutz. “We looked to create something using elements from the past – the river – which is the reason Columbia is here. We wanted to make the river the initial destination for people and ultimately have them discover all that Columbia has to offer. It took a while, but now when people bike the river trail or kayak the river, they work their way into town to eat, shop, and explore.”
The Columbia Merchants Association is helping downtown businesses with marketing and special events, ensuring a coordinated approach that has shown positive results. By making it easier for people biking, boating, and fishing at the river to get from the park to down- town businesses, Columbia Borough is boosting the local economy. Other Pennsylvania boroughs can follow suit.
“Elected leaders and businesses should create a plan for how to market their downtown and link it to local out- door recreation opportunities,” said Mayor Lutz. “DCNR [the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources] is another great resource. They have done a wonderful job working with us, helping foster the connection between the borough and the river park.”
Fogal agrees. “Open communication and partnerships are the main reasons why things have gotten done in Jim Thorpe. When boroughs help locals realize that things that benefit tourism also benefit locals, that is win-win. Outdoor recreation businesses should have a seat at the table when decisions are being made because they are a huge revenue generator and job producer for Pennsylvania.”
Borough officials and staff in Jim Thorpe are working with businesses and residents to improve sidewalks, crosswalks, and other infrastructure, as well as to install bike repair stations and bike racks. “This effort makes it easier for bike visitors to spend more time in town. And they are more likely to come back!” added Fogal.
Dr. Chamberlin and the Outdoor Alliance of Pennsylvania provide a few other tips for boroughs looking to improve the link between businesses and the outdoors:
The Columbia Merchants Association is helping downtown businesses with marketing and special events, ensuring a coordinated approach that has shown positive results. By making it easier for people biking, boating, and fishing at the river to get from the park to downtown businesses, Columbia Borough is boosting the local economy.
“When boroughs recognize the powerful tool that is outdoor recreation, they can better align themselves as business recruitment hotspots and quality of life genera- tors,” said Mowery. “Who wouldn’t want to work, live, and play in a place like that? All it takes is a little planning and partnering to get started.”
Resources to Get Started
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica Aiello is a freelance communications professional working on a contractual basis for the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. Her work includes writing and editing grants, social media posts, press releases, and articles. Jessica is also a conservation consultant working with federal clients such as the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management on environmental planning and stakeholder engagement efforts. Prior experience includes nine years working for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on sustainable land management and invasive species projects.