We briefly discuss the problem of valuing time in recreation demand st
udies, and report on a recent case study which assessed the nonmarket
economic value of Centennial Park, Sydney, using both the Travel Cost
and Contingent Valuation methods. Modal choice analysis was used to es
timate the value of travel time for inclusion in a Travel Cost model.
The nonmarket economic value of the park was estimated to be between $
23 and $33 million per year, with at least $2.6 million due to nonuse
value.(1) This compared favourably with annual management and maintena
nce costs of under $6 million.