On Thursday, Sept. 20, U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) along with Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced important legislation into the Senate called the Community Parks Revitalization (CPR) Act.

Once enacted into law, CPR would provide matching, federal competitive grants through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to local parks and recreation agencies for the construction of new, and to rehabilitate existing, outdoor and indoor recreational resources in metropolitan areas. It also allows for planning and programming aimed at improving the delivery of recreation services, increasing access for military families and disabled veterans, and engaging at-risk youth.

There is a waiver at the HUD Secretary’s discretion for a percentage to be awarded to areas not in metropolitan areas, so rural communities are included. The bill simply gives the Secretary authority to use discretionary dollars for these purposes, so there is no budget impact.

The CPR Act is a tool for helping to build stronger communities, create jobs, enhance a state’s economy, protect the health and well-being of the public, conserve natural resources, and contribute to a higher quality of life for hard-working Americans and their families.

The bill is a companion measure to H.R. 709, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act (URLC), which was introduced by Representative Albio Sires of New Jersey in 2011.

Learn more about federal policy and legislative issues impacting parks and recreation.

Written by Leslie Mozingo, Partner, The Ferguson Group.