Outdoor recreation in parks, on waterways and elsewhere made Ohio $20 billion in 2024, and represents an increasingly large percentage of our state GDP.

Why it matters: In addition to state revenue, the industry supports tens of thousands of Ohio jobs and billions in wages in fields ranging from boating and fishing to equestrian and snow sports.

Driving the news: The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released its annual report on outdoor recreation, charting economic impact across the country.

• Nationwide, the industry accounted for 2.4% GDP in 2024, or nearly $700 billion.

Zoom in: In Ohio, outdoor recreation makes up just 2.2% of our GDP.

• By that metric, we're above only 13 states and D.C.

Yes, but: It's growing. GDP is up more than $1 billion from 2023 and has nearly doubled since 2020.

• And in raw dollars, Ohio ranks in the top 10 — competing with outdoor-oriented states like Colorado, Georgia and North Carolina.

By the numbers: More than 150,000 people are employed in Ohio's outdoor recreation economy, reflecting 2.7% of total jobs in the state.

Between the lines: Cashing in on outdoor recreation hasn't been an accident — Ohio has been investing in the industry and bolstering outdoor spaces for years.

What they did: The state 2025-26 capital budget invested nearly $300 million in state parks.

• The Clean Trail Fund awards millions each year for improvement projects.
• The first-ever Ohio Outdoor Recreation Economy Conference was in 2025.

Case in point: That conference featured the Athens' Baileys Trail System, which opened in 2020.

• It required millions in investment, but has already returned $3.7 million in economic impact for Athens County while creating dozens of jobs.

The last word: "Our dream is for Ohio to have the best State Park system in the country," Gov. Mike DeWine said in his 2022 State of the State address.

The statewide emphasis on outdoor recreation extends to Franklin County and Columbus, where recent investments have resulted in new parks and amenities.

The latest: Columbus' newest Metro Park, Great Southern, officially opens tomorrow.

• It's one of many projects funded by a 10-year, 0.95-mill levy passed in 2018.

Plus: A second new park is coming soon, with Bank Run between Lockbourne and Obetz expected to open in May.

The big picture: There's plenty of other outdoor investments across Central Ohio.

• The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission's Central Ohio Greenways projects have expanded and connected trails, resulting in a significant economic impact.
• The City of Columbus' $40 million update to Kilbourne Run Sports Park will open this year.
• Each year, millions in state funding support local projects like the Heritage Trail extending from downtown Hilliard.

That's how many trees the city of Columbus planted in 2025, per the Recreation and Parks Department's annual progress report.

The big picture: Columbus' Urban Forestry Master Plan calls for improving the tree canopy across a variety of neighborhoods to reduce air pollution, among other benefits.

• Read more about the city's plan.

🪧 An estimated 27,000 people marched at Saturday's No Kings protests in downtown Columbus, with another 23,000 at events across Central Ohio. (Ohio Capital Journal)

📉 The Blue Jackets blew a 3-0 lead in a loss to the Boston Bruins Sunday, dropping both weekend home games to fall in the standings with eight games remaining. (NHL)

🦠 A COVID variant nicknamed "Cicada" is being detected in a growing number of states, including Ohio. (Dispatch)

🥯 The Lox Bagel Shop, which first opened in the Short North in 2018, plans a second location near Polaris. (614 Magazine)

Yesterday, we shared an aerial view of a seemingly nondescript area of Central Ohio in 1994 — did you recognize it?

🔍 Over 30 years, this series of fields has become a massive stretch of industrial parks between Alum Creek Drive and Lockbourne Road north of Rickenbacker International Airport.

• Dozens of companies have buildings here, from Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to Amazon and Lululemon.
• The enormous Anduril development being erected nearby indicates the area's growth has just begun.

🏆 Congratulations to our winner, reader Stuart H., who wins the bragging rights and Axios swag.

• Just four readers knew this one!

👀 How much does this area stand out from the skies today? Check out how it dwarfs the airport in the zoomed out shot below.

• Thanks to all who played!