Call to action: Bush cuts key spending: without your involvement, America could lose federal support for parks and recreation programs - Advocacy Update

Parks & Recreation, March, 2003

NRPA members need to contact their federal representatives to educate them on the need for full funding of federal park- and recreation-related programs.

The Bush Administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2004 budget eliminates or slashes funding for a number of high-performing programs that park and recreation agencies benefit from. Affected programs and their proposed level of spending include:

* Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (Department of the Interior): $0.

* Special Recreation Program for Individuals With Disabilities (Department of Education): $0.

* 21st Century Community Learning Center Program (Department of Education): $600 million (a cut of $400 million).

* Title V Local Grants for Delinquency Prevention (Department of Justice): $77 million (a cut of $18 million).

* Youth Opportunity Program (Department of Labor): $44 million (a cut of $181 million).

Once programs are eliminated from the federal budget, reinstating funds for them is extremely difficult. Similarly, it will be a formidable task to increase funding for programs that have been cut. But it can be done.

What can park and recreation advocates do?

Keep sowing seeds--don't let elected officials forget about the important work you do and how that work is helpful to homeland security. Keep inviting them to park and recreation events and sites. Show them firsthand how parks and recreation are essential services to the public. Emphasize points like these in your advocacy:

* Park and recreation agency personnel watch over public lands and spaces, assisting public safety efforts.

* Youth in recreation programs learn conflict resolution skills, tolerance and participate in positive activities that prevent hatred and violence.

* If Congress goes along with President Bush's cuts, more than half a million children will be denied access to the after-school programs that keep them safe, help them learn and relieve their families of child care worries during the afternoon hours. Children and families in every state and community will be affected. Youth in recreation-sponsored after-school programs participate in high-quality youth development programs that foster protective factors that help to prevent delinquent and unhealthy behaviors.

* The physical activity infrastructure that parks, trails and recreation facilities provide help Americans to attain or maintain fitness. As a result, they can be better prepared for disasters and military service. In addition, they can avoid costly and life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and obesity.

* Public park and recreation agencies provide opportunities for Americans nationwide to perform community service, giving them an immediate means to make their communities better, safer places to live. In addition, volunteers benefit from developing new skills, being active and deriving an increased sense of community.

For more detailed advocacy information, see the "Briefings" and "Breaking News" sections at "Public Policy" on NRPA's Web site (www.nrpa.org). For contact information for members of Congress, go to www.congress.org. As always, feel free to contact the NRPA Division of Public Policy for more information at 202-887-0290 or nrpapolicy@aol.com.