Brookings Institution pioneered an Economic Values Atlas in 2019 (Tomer et al.). This is an implementation of the concept for our region. Please scroll down to start using this tool. We suggest you use a desktop web browser for the best experience.
This interactive provides data—primarily census and Council data—on the characteristics of residents near parks and trails in the Twin Cities’ regional system. It provides a snapshot of who lives there today, and the population changes forecasted to 2040.
Users can create valuable, data-driven analysis through this app. But our experience tells us that demographic data are most powerful when used as starting point. In other words, the census and Council data cannot substitute for engagement with prioritized stakeholders. The on-the-ground knowledge of agency staff and the community expertise of residents are also valued sources of information and enhance and refine the shared understanding of this data.
We developed this interactive tool primarily for regional park agency planning, outreach, programming, research and other agency staff. It is available for anyone who wants detailed information about housing and demographic data surrounding the existing and future regional park system.
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Planning. Understanding today’s proximate demographics can help inform questions about needed amenities like multilingual signage. Visualizing forecasted changes in population can help plan for the future. Further, this tool can help complete the Equity Analysis Requirement for park and trail master plans (Question 1 Project Data).
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Outreach and Engagement. Learning more about who lives near parks and trails can guide strategies for community partnerships, communications efforts, and equity investments such as translation or transportation.
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Programming. Learning more about who lives near parks and trails can deepen your understanding of bilingual, multigenerational, and other programming innovations that might be of interest to who lives close by.
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Research. Use the data to better understand demographic gaps in potential versus actual visitors. We can use the data to ask questions about the inclusivity of current research practices relative to surrounding demographics. The data can be downloaded for additional analyses, but are subject to change with regular data releases (see “notes” tab).
Thrive MSP 2040 directs the Council to collaborate with the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, regional park implementing agencies, and state partners to strengthen equitable use of regional parks and trails. Read more about this in the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan Update or Thrive MSP 2040.