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70 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 8- Economic, Health and Environmental Impacts of Parks and Recreation Destinations have multiple levels and types of products and services (i.e., hotels, restaurants, gas stations, attractions) that are brought together to form the overall tourism experience. Each component or element of the destination is a �r R product in and of itself. "The attractions of a desti- nation constitute the most powerful component of the supply side of tourism."14 Most public parks and recreation facilities and services fall into the attraction category. Crompton (2010) explains that in A in many communities, most tourism attractions are developed and/or operated by the public and One of the emerging trends for travelers is the nonprofit agencies, many of which are parks and desire to stay healthy and fit while traveling. recreation related. Therefore, tourism in most com- Tourists often desire places to run,walk, bike, swim, munities is heavily reliant on public park and and play. Local parks and recreation facilities pro- recreation agencies.12 vide tourists with these opportunities. It could be as Most of the outdoor recreation space that is utilized simple as a tourist running on one of the local parks by tourists in the United States is owned by a and recreation department's maintained trails, play- governmental agency(federal, state, or local). Many ing basketball at the local park, or taking part in a of the historical and cultural attractions in a commu- group exercise class. Other examples of tourists nity are located at a public park or in a public using park facility.15 Public parks and recreation facilities and and recreation facilities could include: having a services are a vital part of the tourism offerings in a picnic at a community park, attending a festival, community. taking a nature walk. The main difference between parks and recreation facilities that are attractions For example, athletic fields used to host and those that are not is the manner in which they tournaments will draw players and fans from areas are managed. For a facility or service to truly be outside the local community. Those individuals considered an attraction it must be managed with traveling to the community to play in the an understanding that tourists may use the facility tournament will need basic tourism services such as and therefore policies and practices must be in place lodging and restaurants. The tournament, which to make the tourist welcome. may be run by the local parks and recreation agency, is the attraction. The facilities (i.e., fields, locker 'k rooms, picnic shelters) that are being used area �, + requirement for the tournament to be held and are also considered attractions. f l r a 1 a r �W ,.sa= 8-4