Performance Measures

Key performance indicators help us gauge the physical and financial health of our park properties and their associated amenities. We track a series of indicators to provide us with a historical perspective and offer an indication of what changes need to be made to continue serving the needs of residents of Grand Traverse County.

We believe transparent reporting of our activities is beneficial in showing where we are succeeding and where we need help.  Please review the statistics presented below and ask us questions.

Thank you

Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation

Non-tax operating revenue as a percentage of operating expenditures (self-funding ratio)

This represents the degree to which parks and recreation generates revenue to support operations independent of taxpayer support.

• 2019-37%
• 2020-20%
• 2021-34%
• 2022-36%
• 2023-33%
• 2024-35%

Non-tax operating revenue

This represents the amount of funding parks generated through methods outside of the County's general fund. This includes rentals and services and excludes donations and grants.

• 2019-$189,527
• 2020-$82,068
• 2021-$167,051
• 2022-$237,586
• 2023-$269,689
• 2024-$322,949

Fund balance (as of the end of the year)

This represents the amount held in reserve and attributed to the parks and recreation fund. Fund balance is used to support cash flow needs when expenses and revenues may not occur at the same time.

• 2019-$96,844
• 2020-$99,415
• 2021-$58,139
• 2022-$58,783
• 2023-$58,783
• 2024-$58,783

GT County Parks metrics compared to National Recreation and Park Association Park (NRPA) Metrics

• Based on 2024 population estimate (census.gov) of 96,625 and 1,600 acres under management
• Based on 2024 revenue and expenditures
• Compared against County park systems nationwide

Operating expenditures per capita: $8.17 (+26% compared to 2023) 

• Lowest quartile: $75.63 
• Median: $125.84
• Highest quartile: $240.29

Operating expenditures per acre: $493 (+10.5% compared to 2023) 

• Lowest quartile: $5,563
• Median: $11,757
• Highest quartile: $28,522

Revenue as a percentage of operating expenditures: 40.8% (+5.8% compared to 2023) 

• Lowest quartile: 15.77%
•  Median: 28.44% 
• Highest quartile: 48.48%

Non-tax operating revenue per capita: $3.34 (+19.3% compared to 2023)  

• Lowest quartile: $0
• Median: $2
• Highest quartile: $7

Residents per park: 10,736 (-8.9% compared to 2023) 

• Lowest quartile: 4,904
• Median: 8,972
• Upper: 19,152

Acres of land per 1,000 residents: 16.55 (+14% compared to 2023) 

• Lowest quartile: 5
• Median: 11
• Upper: 18

Grant funding awarded

This represents the amount of funding awarded to the parks department to support capital improvement projects, parkland development, grow visitor engagement, and planning. 

• 2019-$10,000
• 2020-$41,218
• 2021-$82,450
• 2022-$0
• 2023-$1,114,299
• 2024-$482,062

Facility rental days

This includes ballfields, campsites, pavilions, arena space, lodge space, dormitory use, and pavilion space