Where Do We Go From Here? BY ELLEN KANZINGER
OUTDOOR RECREATION ADVOCATES, EVENT PRODUCERS, AND RETAILERS DISCUSS HOW THE PANDEMIC IS AFFECTING OUTDOOR RECREATION IN OUR REGION AND WHERE THE INDUSTRY IS HEADED.
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here do we go from here? That’s the question on everyone’s mind. In a time when COVID-19 continues to affect day-to-day life and the future is filled with uncertainty, what will outdoor recreation look like when we are able to start gathering again? Throughout the ongoing pandemic, cities and states have experienced an increase in the number of people getting outside. With outdoor recreation considered appropriate and essential for maintaining health in almost every state, people are turning to the outdoors for physical exertion and mental wellbeing. Pete Eschelman, director of the Roanoke Outside Foundation, said parks in the Roanoke, Va., area have seen anywhere from a 50-to-200percent increase in visitation since March. At a time like this, with localities looking to cut their budgets due to a decrease in revenue, parks and rec budgets are typically the first thing on the chopping block, but Eschelman argues that now is really the time for cities and states to fund those I think those opportunities more than communities ever. “Developing our that get out in recreation infrastructure front of this is an opportunity to invest trend, make in resources like trails and some serious river access points that will benefit the quality of life and investment, economy of the community and build their down the road,” he said. outdoor brand “We’re anticipating seeing are going to win. people leaving densely populated areas and moving to less densely populated areas. So, I think those communities that get out in front of this trend, make some serious investment, and build their outdoor brand are going to win.” Roan Mountain, Tenn., is one of those places that relies on outdoor recreation to bring in tourism dollars as an official Appalachian Trail Community. Mike Hill, a Carter County commissioner representing Roan Mountain, said businesses in town rely on the thru-hiker bubble that comes through each year. “When they come off trail in Roan Mountain, they’ve been in the I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y K E V I N H O W D E S H E L L / K E V I N C R E D I B L E . C O M
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