National Park Visitors Brought $8.9M To Contra Costa Last Year: NPS

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Nearly 100,000 visitors came to the four national parks in Contra Costa County last year and spent $6.38 million locally, which supported almost 70 local jobs and had an overall economic output of $8.9 million, according to the National Park Service.

NPS economists completed the 2022 economic analysis for national parks across the United States and found that John Muir National Historic Site had 38,900 total visitors who altogether generated $2.6 million in local spending and supported 27 jobs, $1.5 million in labor income and $2.3 million in value added — for a total economic output of $3.6 million in communities within 60 miles.

Among the directly affected business sectors, visitors last year to John Muir National Historic Site spent $788,000 on lodging, $593,000 on restaurants, $403,000 on gasoline, $279,000 on retail, $217,000 on recreation industries, $140,000 on groceries, $74,000 on transportation and $72,600 on camping.

"The four national parks of the East Bay are important parts of the communities in which they sit," K. Lynn Berry, superintendent of the four parks, told Patch. "We're grateful that the parks provide positive contributions to the economy of the area, and glad to have the opportunity to positively impact our visitors who come to learn and recreate here as well."

In Concord, the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial had 1,130 visitors in 2022 who spent $74,400 — including $22,900 on lodging and $17,300 at restaurants — supporting one local job and resulting in a total economic output of $105,000.

In Danville, the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site had 18,800 visitors who spent $1.2 million— including $380,000 on lodging and $286,000 at restaurants — supporting 13 local jobs and resulting in an economic output of $1.7 million.

In Richmond, the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park had 37,400 visitors who spent $2.5 million — including $757,00 on lodging and $570,000 at restaurants — supporting 26 local jobs and resulting in an economic output of $3.5 million.

Nationally, NPS economists found 312 million national park visitors spent nearly $24 billion in neighboring communities, supporting more than 378,000 jobs for a total impact of $50.3 billion. The lodging sector reaped the most benefits, accounting for $9 billion, followed by restaurants at $4.6 billion.

In the Golden State, national parks generated $2.7 billion in visitor spending across California.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area alone was responsible for $1.1 billion, economists found.

A detailed breakdown is available on the National Park Service website.