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Encourages Investment <br />Opportunities for outdoor recreation can attract new <br />business and talented workers and help keep established <br />businesses competitive. Small business owners have <br />cited quality of life as a key reason for choosing a location <br />(Crompton, Love & Moore, 2007). High quality of life makes <br />it easier for businesses to attract and maintain a highly <br />educated professional workforce and has been shown in <br />at least one instance to be a bigger draw than a favorable <br />business climate (Crompton, 2007a). Park, recreation, and <br />open space amenities are among the most important <br />components of quality of life. Furthermore, providing and <br />promoting quality outdoor recreational opportunities <br />can be a more sustainable way of attracting and retaining <br />businesses than offering tax or other cash incentives. <br />Companies that relocate to an area for tax incentives <br />alone will likely continue seeking out other tax incentives <br />and move on when they are able. High -quality outdoor <br />recreational opportunities cannot be so easily replaced <br />(Minnesota Legacy). <br />Property Values <br />As a general guideline, researchers have found nearby <br />parkland increases home values 5%-15%, depending <br />upon proximity and quality of the park. Trails have a <br />similar effect: researchers estimate homeowners are <br />willing to pay an additional $4,000-$9,000 to be located <br />within a thousand feet of a trail. Minnesotans value open <br />space, leading a Wilder Research analysis to conclude: <br />Figure 1.16 Green infrastructure <br />Figure 7.15 Green infrastructure <br />Athletic Association <br />• Baseball • Basketball • Fastpitcf Spitball • Football • lacrosse • Soccer •Tennis • Volleyball <br />www.arsporrs.org <br />CITY OF RAMSEY PARK SYSTEM PLAN <br />