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The report found that parks and open space provide billions in annual economic benefits for Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Key points include:
- Preserving land reduces government services.
- Close proximity to parks increases the value of residential property.
- $288 million is spent each year at LI farms.
- $33.3 million is spent each year directly at wineries.
- Conservation of parks is eight times less costly than new residential development.
- Land and foliage in open space act as natural filters as they slow down runoff and capture precipitation, reducing stormwater management costs by $23.9 million annually.
- The trees and shrubs found in parks and protected open space remove air pollutants naturally, reducing pollution control costs by $18.9 million per year.
- Open space also contributes to public health benefits; over 600,000 Long Islanders take part in physical activity at the parks, generating health benefits of $164 million per year.
via New Report: Open Space Preservation.
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