This article is part of an examination of how economic impact narratives shape public investment decisions and what they often leave unsaid.

Jamie was featured on the Active Towns Podcast in the episode titled, "Financial Sustainability of Sports Complexes versus Pathways & Parks"

Across the United States, local governments are confronting a growing and uncomfortable truth: the math no longer works. Decades of expansion, deferred maintenance, and structural imbalance have brought many communities to the edge of a fiscal cliff. Costs are rising faster than revenues, infrastructure is aging faster than it can be replaced, and the public’s appetite for amenities shows no sign of slowing down.

In public parks and recreation, language isn’t just descriptive, it’s directive. The words we choose shape perceptions, priorities, and policies. Few terms illustrate this better than “sports” and “athletics.” While often used interchangeably, these words carry fundamentally different meanings and more importantly, different moral and strategic implications for public service.