EcoSpeed [Design Conjecture]

EcoSpeed is a competition between visitors to come together and preserve the environment. Through the literature that was reviewed, they discuss the importance that parks have on the economy. Parks generate over $154 billion USD and support over 1.1 million jobs (National Recreation and Parks Association, 2019) through recreation amenities, tourism, travel and local businesses (Huron River Watershed Council, 2013). Recreation at parks improves people’s physical activity, but health is further improved by the clean water and air quality that parks provide (The Trust for Public Land, 2021).

Since parks are important to the economy and people’s health, it becomes essential to conserve these lands. EcoSpeed turns waste collection into a game. Visitors will be separated into teams to compete against. Each person is given a trash grabber of a specific color and can only pick up trash with the color that’s on the stick. By the end of the trail or given time, the team that collected the most waste is given an award. Through EcoSpeed, visitors can become an active member of keeping parks clean while benefiting physical health and fostering community.

References. 

Huron River Watershed Council. (2013). Huron River Water Trail: Economic Impact Analysis. https://www.hrwc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/HRWT%20Economic%20Impact%20Report.pdf 

National Recreation and Parks Association. (2019). The Economic Impact of Parks. NRPA https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CfIAKPX4-uqwjQJBqKyTmRw17B1PT_yd/view 

The Trust for Public Land. (2021). The economic benefits of conserved lands, trails, and parks on the North Olympic Peninsula.  https://www.tpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NOP-Economic-Benefits-Report.pdf