Reference Publications

Grassroots efforts successful: Transportation Enhancements program funding restored thanks to NRPA - NRPA Perspectives

Parks & Recreation, Oct, 2003 by David Lose

I am delighted to report a major victory for NRPA and everyone who cares about parks and recreation--the U.S. House of Representatives voted in a landslide to restore funding for the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program in 2004. As I'm sure you will remember, the House Appropriations Committee eliminated TE this summer. NRPA members responded by writing and calling their congressional representatives to lobby in favor of this vital act, and we applaud their grassroots efforts. NRPA members and staff worked hard to mobilize local, community-based support for the program, and NRPA's public policy office in Washington, D.C., worked to get information distributed to all members. We're told that representatives' staff members were very impressed by the level of support from parks and recreation advocates. What's more, this victory helps pave the way for the coming, multi-year reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act. Well done, everyone!

Other successes this year include NRPA's partnership with Sports Illustrated. The "It Starts In Parks" advertising campaign has raised our national profile considerably, allowing us to place $5 million worth of ads in Sports Illustrated. The five ads will be available as posters for members to us use starting at Congress, and members can also place

the ads in their local areas. So far, we've held ceremonies designating 11 communities as their states' Sportstowns. Members of the Board of Trustees are representing NRPA well at these events, which have been well attended by local and state governmental officials and other dignitaries, and have garnered a great deal of local press.

We're also excited about the Community Sports and Health Fund, which will support research, local grants and the continuation of the Sportstown initiative. You can help us raise funds for this by purchasing an introductory subscription to Sports Illustrated or Sports Illustrated for Kids for $10--100 percent of which goes into this fund. To get your subscription, go to www.si.com/supporttheNRPA.> Finally, we're looking forward to a great Congress this month in St. Louis. We have a record-breaking number of exhibitors, 575, which is a 36 percent increase over last year. As always, we've planned the meeting to maximize networking opportunities. It's also a great chance to meet the new people at NRPA headquarters who will be working with each region, branch and section. I urge you to be there!