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DEMAND • ' Demand Forecast Regional parks and trails have been increasing in popularity and as the population grows the need for additional recreation resources and amenities grow as well. The population in the communities surrounding the corridor is anticipated to grow steadily,as is Anoka County,as shown in the Population Forecast table. Population Forecast' YEAR BLAINE • LAKES CENTERVILLE ANOKACOUNTY 2010 57,186 20,216 3,792 330,844 2040 86,000 29,000 4,200 426,080 According to the Metropolitan Council Regional Forecast to 2040,the metro regional area is anticipated to grow by 22%between 2010 and 2040. By 2040,seniors are expected to comprise of 20%of the population and people of color will comprise 40%. As the population increases,diversifies,and ages,demand for easily accessible outdoor recreation opportunities and open space increases. The outdoor recreational use patterns in the metropolitan area have also been growing steadily. Recreational visits to Anoka County regional trails have increased from 504,000 in 2008 to just over 1 million in 2014.2 In addition,according to the 2014 Outdoor Participation Report by the Outdoor Foundation,in 2014,there was a net gain of 700,000 outdoor participants from 2013. Running,jogging and trail running was the most popular outdoor activity with more than 57 million participants and over half of the total 143 million Americans that participated in outdoor activities also walked. With the population growth expected and the increase in recreational visits to regional parks and trails,the demand for additional facilities will only increase. 1 Metropolitan Council,Thrive MSP 2040 Forecasts,Adopted May 28,2014 2 Annual Use Estimate of the Metropolitan Regional Parks System for 2008&2014,Metropolitan Council Page 8 10