Local parks and other open spaces pump billions of dollars into the Long Island economy every year by supporting everything from tourism to property values, according to a recent study.

Commissioned by the Long Island Community Foundation and the Rauch Foundation, the Trust for Public Land report released Sept. 28 said Long Island receives an annual economic benefit worth at least $2.74 billion by preserving its 75,000 acres of open space, defined as undeveloped, publicly-owned land. Boosting the economy by attracting tourists and residents, reducing government costs to improving air quality and public health and protection of drinking water are among several benefits identified in the report that lead to the $2.74 billion estimate.

At the press conference at the Fire Island Vistors Center and Watch Hill Terminal in Patchogue for the study's release, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said though open space is often thought to be contrary to economic growth, it helps sustain pivotal industries on Long Island.

"Multi-billion-dollar industries can't function without open space," DiNapoli said, adding open-space conservation is particularly important locally since Suffolk County has the highest agricultural output in all of New York State.

The county logged $288 million in agricultural sales in 2007 and the farming industry on all of Long Island employs more than 200,000 people, the study said.

The farming industry also supports local tourism dollars. Long Island wineries alone attract 1.2 million visitors every year, bringing $33.3 million to the local economy annually.

Parks sustain the local tourism industry as well, with non-resident visitors to Long Island parks spending $615 million each year, according to the report. That sends $27 million in sales tax revenue to local governments every year.

John McNally of the Rauch Foundation said the study uncovered social benefits of open space in addition to monetary gains.

The 611,000 Long Islanders that engage in recreational activities in parks each year generate measurable health benefits of $164 million annually, the report said.

"Long Islanders have always appreciated their parks and preserves for their aesthetic, recreational and health benefits," McNally said. "Now they can appreciate the economic benefits and cost savings."

Parks and open space also increase property values on Long Island, the report said, and the increases bring in $58.2 million in property tax revenue each year.

"People flock to the Hamptons because of the open space and that has been critical to the real estate value there," said Paul Brennan, senior vice president of Elliman Real Estate. "I always talk about location, location, location, and that means waterfront, beachfront and open space/farmland."

McNally said he and other open-space advocates aren't looking to stop development on Long Island to preserve its remaining open space. "We just need to decide what we are doing and how we are doing it," he said. "There is a finite amount of land left and a limited time to do it."

A copy of the report is available in the pdf section.