Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), issued the following statement in response to the House passage of the Outdoors for All Act:
“NRPA is thrilled to see the House of Representatives pass the bi-partisan Outdoors for All Act (as part of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act), which will ensure that the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership has steady funding for generations to come. This program awards grant funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), supporting the development of new parks and the renovation of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in underinvested communities.
This marks a huge step toward securing a win for our more than 60,000 members and advocates, who work tirelessly to serve the public through park and recreation opportunities. These community heroes preserve and protect the outdoors in urban and rural communities throughout the country.
Every person — no matter their ZIP code — should have access to quality green spaces. The Outdoors for All Act will guarantee that future generations have access to quality parks and green spaces along with the social, physical and mental health benefits they provide. We now urge the Senate to pass this vital piece of legislation.
Quality local parks are not only essential to health and well-being, but also serve as incredible economic drivers for communities. In 2021, local park and recreation agencies generated $201 billion in economic activity, supporting more than 1.1 million jobs.
NRPA is grateful to the Congressional champions, coalition partners and the many engaged stakeholders, who helped ensure full and permanent funding for LWCF — a decades-long legislative goal for NRPA. Our members should be especially proud of their work in achieving this victory.”
To learn more about NRPA, visit nrpa.org.
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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.