Delaware Water Gap tourism gave $235M boost to Pa. and N.J. communities in 2021: study

Tens of millions of {dollars} flowed via the Delaware Water Hole in 2021.

A report launch this fall by the Nationwide Parks Conservation Affiliation finding out the monetary impacts of the Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space discovered the park and its 4.3 million guests generated $235 million in income for companies in Northampton, Monroe and Pike counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Sussex counties in New Jersey.

The NPCA, which works independently in assist of the Nationwide Park Service, mentioned that the communities in return ought to defend the parkland from industrial encroachment, partially by zoning in opposition to warehouses and different tasks that run counter to out of doors tourism.

“Collectively, we should defend these communities, Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space, and preserved lands alongside the Delaware River, from any incompatible industrial improvement that threatens them,” mentioned Ed Stierli, senior director for the Mid-Atlantic area on the nonprofit conservation affiliation based mostly in Washington, D.C. “The park clearly delivers income for native communities, however the lovely rapids and different pure assets are what make it priceless.”

The report’s different ideas embody: extra indicators in Spanish, together with academic and water-safety supplies; and urging use of federal funds and congressional motion to protect and enhance the Delaware River watershed.

The Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space is 70,000 acres straddling 40 miles of the Delaware River from I-80 at its southern finish to the New York state border at its north. It’s an hour or two drive from New York Metropolis and Philadelphia, however with few facilities within the park itself guests should head to outlying communities.

(Can’t see the map? Click on right here.)

Within the NCPA report, the $235 million generated by the water hole parklands in 2021 consists of cash straight spent by guests, damaged down by trade sectors. Greater than $32 million went towards different recreation and amusement companies, the park’s prime beneficiary. Different prime impacts had been inns and motels ($27 million); museums, historic websites, zoos and parks ($25.7 million); and eating places ($22.1 million to full-service, $21.6 million to restricted service). The NPCA report says customer spending on the park generated $2.9 million in tax income for the states and municipalities.

The 2021 whole financial affect is up $16 million from 2015, the final time the NPCA examined the water hole’s financial affect.

Individually, the Nationwide Park Service itself has reported the Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space has generated not less than $165 million in financial exercise. The recreation space’s finest yr of the final decade was additionally the newest — $260 million in 2021, greater than most different close by Nationwide Park Service websites together with Valley Forge, Independence Corridor and the Statue of Liberty.

“Regardless the way you have a look at it, it’s clear that guests to Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space (and different nationwide parks throughout the nation) are an vital financial driver for native communities the place they spend cash and assist jobs,” park spokeswoman Kathleen Sandt instructed lehighvalleylive.com.

Although the NCPA provided ideas for park enhancements, it has not weighed in on the hassle to redesignate the nationwide recreation space as a nationwide park. Supporters say the change would convey extra status, and because of this extra guests, funds and protections. Opponents argue it will do extra hurt than good, doubtlessly resulting in extra improvement close to the park and rising the danger of environmental hurt.

Each the NCPA and the Nationwide Park Service are staying impartial till any congressional motion is taken, however there seems to be no assist from native representatives to provoke that change.

“We’ve got been concerned in, and welcome, discussions on the neighborhood degree on methods to additional protect and defend the park,” Stierli mentioned.

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Steve Novak could also be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.