Barbara Tulipane, CAE, president and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s FY20 budget:

“NRPA is deeply concerned by the cuts proposed in President Trump’s FY20 budget. The elimination or reduction of specific programs, such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, is not only shortsighted, but financially irresponsible. 

“Among many other things, these programs help provide our member agencies with the resources they need to serve our nation’s most vulnerable communities, and without them, many people will suffer.

“NRPA is especially concerned by the president’s proposal to defund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), while at the same time signing historic, bipartisan legislation that permanently establishes LWCF in law. Support for the ‘Lands Package’ is strong. Congress should reject this proposal and, instead, invest in America.

“We urge our members to act fast and contact their member of Congress to ensure these programs are funded and protected.”

Details about the president’s FY20 budget can be found here.  

About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.