It’s go time. As the NRPA Public Policy team wrote about in our most recent Open Space blog post, many of the critical federal programs that benefit parks and recreation are at risk of being cut or eliminated. These programs, such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Community Development Block Program, TIGER grants and USDA meal programs, represent billions of dollars in funding available to local and regional park and recreation agencies. Without this funding, many agencies would be unable to leverage the local support necessary to make their park projects possible. 

We need you to step up for the future of parks and recreation by joining the Park Champion initiative. You can help save these programs by inviting your members of Congress to your next event and showing them first-hand how important parks and recreation is to your community.

Do you have an exciting event like a park dedication, program kickoff, Memorial Day, Kids to Parks Day, National Trails Day event or a Park and Recreation Month celebration?

It is easier than ever to invite your members of Congress to these events with NRPA’s new, interactive Park Champion Advocacy Toolkit. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process and only takes a few moments to make a big difference for the future of parks and recreation.

Host your members of Congress at an event by August 31 to be eligible for the Park Champion of the Year Award. The recipient of this award will receive recognition at NRPA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans and round-trip flights and lodging for two staff members in your agency to come to Washington, D.C., in spring 2018 to advocate for parks and recreation on Capitol Hill. Have you already hosted your members of Congress at your agency this year? Tell us about it using the form on the toolkit page to enter your event for consideration.

Jayni Rasmussen is NRPA’s Advocacy and Outreach Manager.