Report: National Parks Bring $196 Million to Philly

A new report says Philadelphia’s national parks generated $196 million for the city in 2013 — being the birthplace of American democracy, turns out, can be somewhat lucrative.

Philly Business Journal Reports:

Despite (fewer) visitors to Philadelphia’s historic parks in 2013, spending increased to $196 million in communities near the parks — the result of more than 3.5 million visitors.

The National Park Service study shows that spending supported 2,730 jobs in the city.

Philadelphia’s best-known national park is Independence National Historical Park, which is also responsible for management of the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. Some of the featured attractions are class-trip favorites like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center.

The visits may have been fewer because of 2013’s government shutdown. Being the birthplace of democracy can be lucrative, but only when democracy works.

View the full National Park Service report.