Delegates share positive reports from the Hill: successful meetings with Congressional leaders encourage members to continue advocating for parks and recreation.

NRPA's meeting room of the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., was abuzz with activity on Feb. 17 as park and recreation representatives from 47 states reported on their meetings with Congressional leaders on Capitol Mill.

Moderated by Lois Finkelman, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, state representatives reported an overwhelming number of positive experiences in advocating support for park and recreation initiatives.

NRPA legislative priorities struck a chord with Congressional leaders from both parties. An important observation was the bipartisan support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program (LWCF). Leaders on either side of the aisle stood behind "Dear Colleague" letters sent out by Sens. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) and Susan M. Collins (R-Maine) and Reps. James McGovern (D-Mass.), Rush Molt (D-N.J.), Pete King (R-N.Y.) to the Interior Appropriations Subcommittees to support the LWCF. The Senate letter asked for more than $90 million for the program, the amount appropriated last fiscal year, while the Mouse letter requested $100 million, based on the average appropriation of the last five years.

Armed with packets of legislative information, many delegates met with their respective leaders in Congress with lists of LWCF projects in their district, ready to discuss details of LWCF funding. Presenters said that such tactics helped them show how LWCF translates into practical projects to benefit citizens on a local level.

James McElhinny, director of Park and Recreational Services for Tualatin Mills Park & Recreation District in Oregon said he met with Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and had a productive LWCF discussion. "Really, we were preaching to the choir," McElhinny explained.

NRPA delegates also found that Congress was interested in NRPA's indirect association with current hot-button issues. Recurring issues included the National Park Service's plan to revise its management policies, river and trail issues, student summer lunch programs and clean water initiatives. But a true topic of interest to legislators has been the importance of park and recreation issues that are tied closely with health, wellness and anti-obesity legislation.

Mike Massey, director of the City of Richardson Parks and Recreation Department in Texas, said his delegation met with all 33 representatives and both senators, who found NRPA's focus on health important. "They were surprised to know that we were aligning ourselves with the healthcare industry," Massey explained.

Other states found the health factor to be very powerful in negotiating park priorities, as well. Colorado Parks and Recreation Association President Marc Heirshberg and his delegation met with Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.), who is running for Colorado governor this year. Heirshberg explained, "If he is elected, he will make health and wellness a part of his platform, with parks and recreation at the table."

NRPA citizen members were particularly important in representing NRPA on the Hill. Leaders and NRPA members agreed that citizens are the key to the discussion on LWCF and other priorities.

Mark Young, an NRPA trustee, brought a delegation of 21 to Washington from his home state of Ohio. "Part of what made us so powerful were our citizen board members." Young said the delegation was made up of a varied group, including United States Tennis Association members, NRPA citizen board members and local citizens, including his own community's pediatrician.

NRPA Executive Director John Thorner concluded that the Capitol Hill visits were a success. "We're a more credible force and we're going to show our presence this year," he added.