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Building momentum and the path forward

Parks and recreation is more than just green spaces — it is the lifeblood of our communities where people connect, play and find respite. For decades, NRPA has been at the forefront of advocating for the policies and funding that keep these vital spaces flourishing.

As we reflect on this closing session of Congress, we’re proud of the work we’ve done to amplify the voices of park and recreation professionals across the country. Our collective efforts have had a significant impact — from securing historic legislative victories to expanding our capacity to support members like you. NRPA’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to parks has never been stronger.

Thanks to the engagement of our dedicated members and partners, NRPA’s Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) team successfully pushed for funding that enhances local parks and promotes equitable access to outdoor spaces. Grounded in the needs of communities nationwide, we saw meaningful progress in investments for green infrastructure and climate-resilient parks. Awareness of NRPA on Capitol Hill is at an all-time high as our members and staff have met with more than 100 Members of Congress in 2024 alone. This awareness allowed us to influence critical legislation, like the Special District Grant Accessibility Act, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year.

Our shared accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of our members, and this year, we’ve enhanced our ability to support you. Our PPA team has grown with the addition of two new staff members. Government Affairs Manager Christian Miller focuses on uplifting the voices of park and recreation professionals with members of Congress, while our Government Affairs Specialist Kaitlyn Kaufman provides tailored support to accessing federal grants. These new team members already have been instrumental in our collective successes this year, and they will continue to help you navigate the complex federal governmental landscape and achieve your advocacy goals.

This year, we also continued to invest in and expand our Park Champion™ Initiative (PCI). The revamped initiative includes the PCI classics — comprehensive training to help you effectively engage with elected officials, tell your story and influence policy outcomes — while also providing the flexibility to do it on your own time, fully asynchronously. This program empowers you to be a Park Champion, a year-round ambassador whether you’re hosting site visits, meeting with lawmakers or simply raising awareness about the importance of parks and recreation.

Building on our accomplishments, NRPA’s Strategic Plan 2025-29 will be our guiding compass as we continue to strengthen our policy and advocacy efforts in the coming year and beyond. This forward-thinking plan lays out a bold vision for a future in which the power of parks and recreation creates inclusive, climate-resilient and thriving communities. With a new Congress and presidential administration, we will ensure these values are front and center in our policy and advocacy work.

As we embark on this new chapter, we invite you to join us in building a brighter future. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our members, who remain the driving force behind NRPA’s advocacy successes. Together, we will continue to ensure every person, in every community, has access to high-quality park and recreation opportunities.

To get (or stay) involved in the park and recreation movement, text ‘PARKS’ to 1.888.991.5955.

Dan McCarthy is Senior Manager of Advocacy at NRPA.