LAND & ECONOMY, 2 How commerce and nature exist 
symbiotically [People could be lured to the beach and spend a little 
bit of money. :04] details on Passport to Texas.

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife 

Parks and outdoor spaces enhance a community's quality 
of life and economy. The Hill Country Conservancy helps 
to facilitate these connections. George Cofer is Executive 
Director.

The various trail systems, kayaking the rivers, going out and 
birding. Those are all done on open space, on green space. 
Some privately owned, some public. So setting aside as much 
green space as possible is very important to ensure a healthy 
economy and bring so many dollars into Texas. :19

Using natural attractions to entice tourist money is not 
new. David McComb is a historian and author of Spare 
Time in Texas. He says, like other places of recreation, the 
goal behind park development was two-fold.

Stewart Beach in Galveston was the first municipal beach in the 
history of Texas, and it was a kind of a tourist beach. It catered 
not just to the people of Galveston, but also to the people of 
Houston to come to enjoy the beach and the breezes, and 
spend a bit of money. And Galveston would benefit. :23

The history of another beach, Padre Island's National 
Seashore, demonstrates how, perhaps more importantly, 
public parks abate costs of recreation. 

One of the people who developed it pointed out this was one of 
the few places that the poor people could go and gain 
enjoyment. :10
	
Visit passporttotexas.org and find green space near you.

That's our show ... with research and writing help from 
Sarah Loden... For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia 
Nasti. 




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