By Jessica Aiello Freelance writer Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) jessica.s.aiello@gmail.com
A feature piece from our Summer 2025 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication
Dave Gantz loves living and working in Lancaster County. A county native, he explored the United States after graduation but returned to the area in 2020 to start a family. Since then, he has spent time visiting the many parks and enjoying the myriad outdoor recreation opportunities within the county. In fact, you can read about his hiking adventures at https://walkwithgantz.weebly.com. As a part-time video production coordinator for Enwild – an e-commerce company based in Manheim that sells a variety of outdoor recreational gear – Dave recognizes and values the importance of green spaces for human and economic health.
“Outdoor recreation has been a staple in my life since the day I was born,” said Gantz. “I am an avid supporter of our natural lands and waters. I feel strongly that experiential opportunities in these places help all of us to create an affinity and love for our environment, which in turn benefits us greatly.”
The human health benefits of outdoor recreation are well-documented and researched. For instance, spending time in nature reduces stress and increases relaxation, which is good for our physical and mental well-being. Protected lands like parks and preserves provide us with clean air and pure water that keep us healthy. Time in nature also connects us and offers the possibility of deeper meaning, showing us that nature and humans are interconnected.
“The physical, mental, and emotional health benefits of being outdoors cannot be understated,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (and Lancaster County native), an organization that promotes the benefits of parks, forests, and outdoor recreation across the commonwealth. “Plenty of research shows that outdoor physical activity helps control your heart rate, decrease blood pressure, and lower stress, among other benefits. The fact that Lancaster County has so many public green spaces like parks and preserves makes it one of the great places in Pennsylvania in which to live, work, and play.”
The economic benefits of outdoor recreation are also well-documented. For instance, a recent Penn State Lion Poll that was created to help inform the Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2025-2029 shows that 85 percent of Pennsylvanians participated in one or more types of outdoor recreation in the past year and that more than half the respondents spend money at local establishments like gas stations, restaurants, and stores near where they spend time recreating outdoors. More specifically, those who use trails report spending more on outdoor recreation and related expenditures (lodging, food, and travel) than users of other forms of outdoor recreation. Therefore, parks, forests, and other public green spaces are effective economic engines.
Headwaters Economics, an independent, nonprofit research group, notes that “In today’s economy, the greatest value of natural amenities and recreation opportunities often lie in the ability of protected lands to attract and retain residents, entrepreneurs, businesses, and the growing number of retirees who relocate for improved quality of life.”
Lancaster County is no exception to this, with so many protected lands and waters (see sidebar). Is it any wonder why the county continues to grow at a faster pace than the rest of the state? As Gantz points out, “There’s everything from flat and mellow paved bike paths to rugged hiking and running trails. Water features include easy paddling on small lakes and more advanced boating opportunities on the Susquehanna River. I especially appreciate the plethora of waterfowl and other migrating birds that stop in our area while on their long journeys up and down the western hemisphere.”
However, more can still be done to position the county as a champion for outdoor recreation and the multiple health and economic benefits that come from it. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) began the “Elevate” initiative to support county-wide efforts like this. Elevate will establish an outdoor business alliance to unite, grow, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry by hearing directly from the producers, providers, and professionals in the industry about their business needs.
“The creation of a statewide outdoor business alliance, representing the broad and strong Pennsylvania outdoor recreation industry, has the potential to address barriers to business growth, grow the state’s outdoor clientele, create entrepreneurial opportunities in outdoor recreation, develop our outdoor workforce, and elevate Pennsylvania’s identity as an outdoor recreation leader and destination,” said Dr. Nathan Reigner, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation within DCNR.
Business leaders, elected officials, and other decision-makers in Lancaster County are encouraged to support the creation of businesses and services frequented by outdoor recreation enthusiasts, such as unique shops, restaurants, and craft breweries, as well as enough parking that is safe for vehicles containing bike and/or kayak racks and large enough to accommodate camper vans and RVs. Through the enhancement of such business opportunities, Lancaster can diversify and support seasonal outdoor recreation and tourism, which in turn helps local businesses, such as restaurants, ice cream shops, hotels, and retail shops. See the sidebar for additional suggestions on how counties like Lancaster can help grow this important segment of Pennsylvania’s economy.
“Outdoor recreation opportunities can be a powerful tool that helps recruit businesses and workers to the Lancaster area by positioning the region as attractive and competitive based on the high overall quality of life,” said Reigner. “All this combined can contribute a positive image of the area where people want to live and work.”
“Lancaster is a wonderful place to raise a family and ultimately to retire to,” added Gantz. “Working collaboratively, the business community, outdoor recreational professionals, and elected officials can prime the county for even greater growth.”
Outdoor Recreational Spaces in and around Lancaster County
Lancaster County contains numerous parks and other green spaces, with additional places for outdoor recreation in adjacent counties like York and Chester. Visitation is not limited to those who reside within each of those counties. Parks within Lancaster County draw people in from neighboring counties and people from much further afield, and vice versa, as this sample visitation heat map for Gifford Pinchot State Park shows (data is aggregated from 2017-2024).
Some great places for outdoor recreation include Susquehannock State Park (Lancaster County) and Samuel Lewis and Susquehanna Riverlands state parks (York County). These parks offer numerous opportunities for hiking, picnicking, boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing, among other activities. These parks are managed by the Pennsylvania DCNR, a state agency that also provides funds to nonprofits and local governments to construct and maintain their own natural spaces. This includes the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail, which is a 14.2-mile-long trail that runs from Columbia to Falmouth, and the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail, which is a 29-mile-long trail from Conestoga to Atglen. Lancaster County also manages many parks too, such as Chiques Rock and Central Park, and nonprofits like the Lancaster Conservancy add acreage to the overall total.
What all these parks and trails have in common is (1) they are open to everyone, (2) they are free to use, (3) they provide opportunities for physical and mental wellbeing, and (4) they generate significant economic benefits to the businesses and communities near them. Get outside and enjoy!
Learn more about Elevate and see a full map of their suggested Outdoor Recreational activities and locations by checking out the Summer 2025 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication
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