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%

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

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

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

  • Based on 2020 census population of 95,328 and 1,400 acres under management
  • Based on 2022 revenue and expenditures
  • Compared against County park systems nationwide

Operating expenditures per capita: $7.42 

  • Lowest quartile: $13.53 
  • Median: $27.61
  • Highest quartile: $54.26

Operating expenditures per acre: $505

  • Lowest quartile: $1,064 
  • Median: $1,998 
  • Highest quartile: $5,465

Revenue as a percentage of operating expenditures: 36% 

  • Lowest quartile: 9%
  •  Median: 19% 
  • Highest quartile: 36%

Non-tax operating revenue per capita: $2.49 

  • Lowest quartile: $1.62 
  • Median: $5.10
  • Highest quartile: $12.21

Residents per park: 9,689

  • Lowest quartile: 4,576
  • Median: 8,263
  • Upper: 18,536

Acres of land per 1,000 residents: 14.46

  • Lowest quartile: 4.8
  • Median: 10.2
  • Upper: 20.6

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-$35,499

Facility rental days

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

FacilityReservation Days

20152016201720182019202020212022
Civic Center 








Ball fields (per field per day)629603472734772142540598

Howe Arena8993144110883560

Pavilion 111511126142124

Amphitheater 0066162819
Twin Lakes 








Gilbert Lodge 73791127159364976

Pavilion 2717293439284855

Dormitory401327261102414

Dormitory Meeting Room 8721071028

Multi-purpose field10261186

Cabin0003100614
Medalie Park








Pavilion 561091011315
Power Island 








Campsites51110961091540323368