An economic study said parks in Cranberry generated $5 million for the township in 2015. At left is the crowd at Community Days in Community Park in July.

CRANBERRY TWP — Parks attract people and spending.

That is what a recent economic study examining the impact of the township's parks said.

The township's parks, golf course and municipal center combined to attract 1.5 million visits, some from people who live out of the area, according to the study.

“They generated an economic impact in excess of $5 million in 2015 alone, mostly spent on local stores, restaurants and hotels,” said parks and recreation director Pete Geis.

Geis however called the 1.5 million visits a “conservative” number, saying more could have visited.

“You really can't account for all the people who walk the trails, ride their bikes in the park or use the ponds,” Geis said.

The township has been making strategic investments in its municipal park network to accommodate the growing use of the parks. These include partnering with Cranberry Township Community Chest in adding playgrounds, fitness stations, and a fishing lake, as well as enlarging the pool, extending the trail system, increasing the parking and adding amenities such as the Seneca Village sculpture tableau.

Township manager Jerry Andree said the study shows that the parks are “a good return on public investment.”

The study also showed that the township is spending less than comparable townships while generating economic impact.

“We firmly believe the parks and recreation program is creating a great community to live,” Andree said. “It increases property values and attracts quality employers here.”

He also said while the economic benefit is valuable, serving the township's residents is the core value.

“We see the activity in the parks,” Andree said. “We had this suspicion that there is a secondary benefit of our park system.”

A major expansion of Graham Park's amenities is also under way.

The township is undertaking Phase II of the park at its previously undeveloped southern end, partnering with CTCC to build a complex of venues for court games called the CTCC SportCourts at Graham Park.

Ground was broken for the project in October, and the courts are expected to be completed and ready for use by this fall.

CTCC is aiming to raise about $750,000 for the project while the township's contribution toward the project and other improvements is estimated at $2.4 million.

“The projects would not be able to be done without them,” Geis said of the CTCC funds.

Geis said he was “shocked” by the numbers indicated in the study in a good way.

“To put it in perspective, you don't realize the amount of people going in and out of the parks,” he said. “Coming up with a number like half a million or three quarters of a million people I thought would be pretty substantial.”

“Watching it climb to 1.5 million, maybe it shouldn't have surprised me, but I thought it was pretty awesome,” Geis added.

Geis said another economic impact study will take place in 2017.