Advocacy

A Tree-mendous Win for Local Parks

Learn how recent federal funding emphasizes support for underserved communities, climate resilience and community health.

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Investing in Parks for All

Discover how the Outdoors for All Act increases investment in green spaces in under-resourced communities.

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Build America, Buy America

Learn how park and recreation agencies can ensure compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act for federally funded projects.

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Revitalizing Your Community With Federal Dollars

Explore how park and recreation agencies can utilize Community Development Block Grant funding to support programming, improve outdated facilities or build new facilities in under-resourced communities.

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NRPA’s New Executive Branch Specialist

Get to know Elyse Gentile, executive branch specialist at NRPA.

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Why the Farm Bill Impacts More Than Just Farms

Learn about the key nutrition programs funded by the Farm Bill and how NRPA is advocating for the bill’s reauthorization to combat food insecurity.

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Federal Funding Helps Prevent Wildfires in Oregon

Learn how park and recreation agencies can access federal funding through Congressional earmarks to support community projects.

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Federal Conservation Funding: Supporting Local Park Initiatives

Take a look at the various initiatives the federal government is putting in place to combat climate change.

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Make the Most of Your Summer Programming

Community festivals and celebrations make for great visits with your elected officials.

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Being a Good Leader Means Being an Advocate

Advocacy is an important part of leadership, and the Park Champions Initiative is empowering people to do just that.

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A New Chapter for Congress in 2023

The 118th Congress is operating under a divided government, with Democrats in charge of the executive branch and the Senate, and Republicans in charge of the House of Representatives.

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Taking Advantage of the American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan comprises a $1.9 trillion package that provides funding for vaccine rollouts, improved testing capabilities and overall economic recovery for state and local governments.

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Advocating for Consistent Funding: A Two-Pronged Approach

What are effective ways to advocate officials for investing in parks and recreation?

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More Money Comes With Important Changes

Recently, the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) have announced grants totaling $192 million will be awarded in 2023.

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National Plan, Local Partners

After more than 50 years, the White House will once again convene a national Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health this month.

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Hosting a Summer Site Visit

Showing your congressional representatives the immense value your programs have can engender more support, and thus, funding for local park priorities in the future.

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Reframing the Conversation Around Parks and Recreation

Telling stories is one of the most powerful ways that folks can influence, teach and inspire others.

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Using Effective Partnerships to Amplify the Impact of Park and Recreation Offerings

In Springfield, Oregon, Willamalane Park and Recreation District partnered with a local school district to give as many children as possible a memorable summer.

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STORM Act: New Federal Funding for Resilience

The Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act was signed into law on January 1, 2021.

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Why Form Community Coalitions to Advance Legislative Priorities?

Find out how community coalitions can assist you in reaching your legislative funding objectives.

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One Leader's Commitment to Equitable Access of the Bay Area

In all his advocacy work, Judge John Sutter sought to improve access to parks, trails and open spaces for all.

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A Three-Pronged Approach to the Success of Michigan's Parks

If the past two years have taught us anything, it is that nobody can succeed on their own, and the success of parks and recreation is certainly not exempt.

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Renewing the Importance of Parks to Canadians

Parks for All recognizes the importance of being part of the solution to climate change, resilience and environmental justice.

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Advocacy Makes a Difference, But Where Do We Start?

NRPA works to foster and support this important work by providing relevant information, salient resources, and additional expertise and capacity to our members.

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Why We Support Transgender Inclusion in Youth Sports

NRPA has directed some of its advocacy resources to complement the work of local civil rights organizations that are working to overturn unjust laws.

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Public Policy and Advocacy at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference

Here are three public policy and advocacy sessions taking place at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference you won’t want to miss.

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August Recess: Time to Meet Your Member!

The August recess presents a timely opportunity to showcase the power of parks to our friends in Congress.

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Common Cents: The Economic Argument for Parks and Recreation

As federal funding filters down to states and localities, local leaders will face difficult decisions about where and how to invest resources.

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Making the Grade: Supporting the Growth of Local Parks and Recreation

When properly leveraged, local parks serve as an invaluable community good.

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Demystifying Advocacy in Parks and Recreation

Park and recreation professionals have an opportunity to ensure that major legislative packages reflect and invest in our shared priorities.

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The Case for Local Relief

Local governments and their park and recreation departments need to receive more attention and funding from the federal government as we continue to recover from the coronavirus.

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Parks, Funding and the Communities That Make Them Possible

Community and elected official support help make bonds, grants and taxes possible to establish funding that supports the completion of park and recreation projects.

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Voters Overwhelmingly Supported Park Funding Ballot Initiatives in 2020

Voters in 48 jurisdictions through the country had the opportunity to determine the future and purpose of their local outdoor spaces.

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Looking Ahead to the Federal Opportunities in 2021

NRPA is firmly committed to ensuring that the numerous benefits of outdoor recreation opportunities are provided to all.

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Benefits of the Outdoors Shouldn’t Have an Expiration Date

Learn why the Every Kid Outdoors pass should be extended.

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Advancing Policies for Green Infrastructure in Parks

NRPA has identified green infrastructure and how it can be supported and implemented in local parks as a top legislative priority.

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Ballot Initiatives for Dedicated Park Funding Exhibit Resilience During COVID-19

While the full scope of the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic remain to be seen, the ongoing occurrence of local voter ballot initiatives for dedicated park funding provides a potential bright spot for the future of the field.

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Local Access Is an Equity Issue

The NRPA public policy and advocacy team's goal is to help increase the positive impact on our communities by advancing an accessible, inclusive, welcoming and memorable parks experience for everyone.

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Protecting Funding for Public Health and Equity

Well before the current coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) established significant programming, encouraging greater access by members of under-resourced communities.

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Advocacy Is the Path Forward for Parks and Recreation

One of NRPA's top advocacy goals is to heighten public awareness of the vital function that parks and recreation centers fulfill in our communities.

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Parks and Recreation and SNAP

P&R agencies are well suited to serve as SNAP application assistance centers, as well as helping recipients navigate their benefits and work toward routine renewal.

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Advocating in Challenging Times

OAK urges states to support Every Kid Outdoors in State Parks Campaign.

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Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Grants

These grants have the power to transform underinvested local communities that currently don’t have access to local parks.

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Understanding Congress' Appropriations Process

Each year, the U.S. Congress “appropriates,” or funds, certain projects and federal programs. NRPA members have opportunities to engage with and influence this process. The NRPA public policy and advocacy team helps you stay up-to-date on the appropriations process and equip you with the tools to be successful.

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Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook Helps Get More Kids Outside

This recently released guide shares bipartisan policy initiatives and resources to support statewide efforts to increase youth engagement in the outdoors.

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Celebrating National Mentoring Month

January is the time to celebrate mentors and mentoring in equal measure.

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Federal Transportation Bill on Tap

Safe Routes to Parks’ top two congressional funding priorities include active transportation routes and safety.

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NRPA Capitol Hill Day

In some 50 meetings in just three hours, some 50 conference attendees advocated on Capitol Hill on behalf of park and recreation on several priorities.

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Land and Water Conservation Fund Reauthorization

The good news is that LWCF has been permanently reauthorized; however, we need to shift focus to ensuring conservation efforts receive all the funds collected.

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Strengthening Federally Funded Summer Meal Sites

For so many park and recreation agencies, the summer meal sites are so much more than a meal for the participating children and community.

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