Recreation programs don’t all serve the same purpose, and they shouldn’t all be priced the same. This session introduces the Cost Recovery Pyramid as a practical framework to align pricing with community outcomes, equity goals, and partner roles. Participants will learn how strategic pricing can strengthen partnerships, expand access, and sustain programs. Walk away with tools to communicate value, balance mission and revenue, and collaborate more effectively with stakeholders across your community.
Learning Objectives:
Define the role of pricing in recreation program sustainability and community outcomes.
Identify appropriate pricing strategies for programs based on purpose, cost, and community impact.
Describe how pricing decisions influence access, equity, and long-term program viability.
Presenters:
Andrew Pollak-Bruce, Founder & Principal, CRO Planning & Design
Drew Pollak-Bruce (He/Him) is the Owner & Founder of CRO Planning & Design where he helps municipalities, counties, state agencies, federal land managers, non-profits, and private sector clients navigate complex projects on public lands across North America. He has worked for over two decades as a professional planner, advocate, and journalist—often focusing on the intersection of communities, recreation, and economy. Drew is an expert in equity in the outdoors, universal design principles, and has presented about the economic impact of adaptive recreation at conferences throughout the country including the National Outdoor Recreation Conference and the International Trails Symposium.