About Rec Ready NH
About Rec Ready NH
Like a paint-by-numbers kit, Rec Ready NH provides you with the outlines for creating recreation infrastructure. Add your own color to bring your community's unique project vision to life.
This guidebook was developed to help New Hampshire’s communities harness the full potential of their outdoor spaces, transforming natural assets into lasting economic and social attractions.
Economic Appeal
Outdoor recreation attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and creates jobs tied to tourism, hospitality, and outdoor services. According to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the outdoor recreation industry generates $1.3 trillion annually for the U.S. economy, accounting for about 2.4% of the GDP. In New Hampshire, the numbers are even higher, with 3.5% of the state’s GDP derived from outdoor recreation, representing approximately $4.2 billion in economic value added and supporting more than 33,000 jobs statewide.
Investing in outdoor recreation can help address demographic challenges, strengthen local economies and build more resilient communities that appeal to locals, new workers, entrepreneurs, and tourists alike.
Community Care
Outdoor recreation enhances community well-being by deepening a sense of place and encouraging appreciation for New Hampshire’s natural beauty.
It fosters meaningful connections with both the land and with communities across the state, strengthening the bonds between people and the places they enjoy. This cultivates a shared responsibility to care for the landscapes and relationships that make outdoor recreation possible.
Empowered by Experts
Rec Ready NH was created by a team of outdoor enthusiasts and advocates who know the ins and outs of building recreation infrastructure.
It was championed by the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development and the Division of Planning and Community Development at the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, in partnership with CRO Planning & Design. Additionally, Ultravirgo, Recreation Solutions Group, Community Geographics, Outdoor Recreation Insights, Ruby Mountain Consulting, and Arrowwood Environmental collaborated on this project.
Have a question about Rec Ready NH?
Send us an email at recreadynh@livefree.nh.gov