In Support of What is Right - importance of supporting public recreation legislation - Brief Article

A number of national issues have been on both my personal and the Association's agendas. I mention them this month because of their timeliness and to encourage you to consider them as you set your own agendas.

The NRPA National Institute on Recreation Inclusion, to take place in the Chicago area September 9-11, merits consideration in your plans. This is not an event exclusively for therapeutic recreation specialists, as there will be a number of programs that should be shared by both general and therapeutic recreation practitioners. Inclusion Institutes will become annual NRPA events, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has agreed to host the Institute in September 2001.

The Board of Trustees adopted a policy statement last October, encouraging all park, recreation, and leisure service providers to assure availability of opportunities and settings where people of all abilities can recreate and interact together. It articulates the "right" to recreation, the ways inclusion affects quality of life, and the need for inclusion to support assistance, accommodations, and barrier removal. This Parks & Recreation issue, which emphasizes therapeutic recreation, is an opportunity for park and recreation professionals and citizens to become more aware and dedicated to inclusion in recreation services and facilities.

I cannot overemphasize the importance and impact that appropriate levels of predictable fiscal resources will have on the American community and on the future of parks and recreation. Because of your efforts, we are very close to House passage of H. R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), but we have a long way to go, too. Continue to let your representatives know about the community impact of your resources and services and their importance to the quality of life for Americans.

Also of high significance is an FY01 appropriation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, including $150 million proposed by President Clinton for matching grants to local and state governments. The funds would help restore the program to allow efficient reinvestment in public resources in local and state settings, where they are most accessible to the American people. Unfortunately, the administration also plans to divert one-half of the requested funds to projects largely pre-selected by federal officials. History has shown that state and local governments are fully capable of selecting projects that have the greatest impact, especially when coupled with state and local funds. Land and Water Conservation Fund projects should be selected through a state-level process that provides for public participation and evaluates a project against substate and statewide needs. Land conservation, development, renovation, and planning are--and should remain--eligible activities. Investments that emphasize the basic purposes of the act, which are to reduce or eliminate deficiencies in public recreation opportunity and to anticipate future needs, should take precedence.

The Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program is another major priority in fiscal year 2001. This program provides restoration aid to the most distressed urban park systems. The president has proposed $20 million toward this program. NRPA recommended $100 million for FY00, and the Association believes that such a recommendation is fully justified again. We've supported the president's proposed budget as an absolute minimum but have encouraged the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee to work toward ratifying our suggested amount.

Recognizing the inherent benefits in supporting the worthy investment of allocating funds to our endeavors, our members should continue to apply pressure on Congress to ensure that legislators understand the social and environmental values and the impact of recreation and parks on the livability of American communities. Express your support for CARA and the right to recreation. I urge your continued involvement.

Robert J. Hall, CLP President

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