SUN-B07: Parkonomics: Exploring the Economics of Our Shared Public Open Spaces

Sunday, October 12, 2025

2:00 PM – 3:15 PM CT

1.25 PDH, LA CES/HSW

Speaker(s)

Jonathon S. Geels, FASLA

President and Principal Landscape Architect
Troyer Group
South Bend, Indiana
Bryan Tanner (he/him/his)

Vice President County Council
St. Joseph County, Indiana
Mishawaka, Indiana

“Parkonomics” examines the economic impact of public parks through empathetic and neuroeconomic theory. It highlights their direct and indirect benefits, from job creation to public health. Emphasizing access over privatization, it explores emerging funding mechanisms to sustain parks as essential public goods with broad economic, environmental, and social value.

Learning Outcomes:

Examine the economic value of public parks beyond direct revenue.
Apply economic principles to understand the supply, demand, and incentives of public parks.
Assess the role of parks in correcting market failures and generating positive externalities.
Explore the opportunity costs and multiplier effects of park investment.