Legislative learning: educational sessions give participants an opportunity to learn about legislative topics.

NRPA's National Legislative Forum was a call to action for members, but also provided a day of educational sessions to improve the quality and effectiveness of local and state park and recreation advocacy. Topics varied widely, covering everything from grant opportunities to the Transportation Reauthorization Bill.

The workshop "Disaster Preparedness: Lessons Learned for Gulf Coast Hurricanes" was a well-received program that focused on learnings from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Speakers included Chris Abbett of the National Park Service and Rindy O'Brien of The O'Brien Group, who introduced NRPA's disaster preparedness guide, which she was integral in preparing. "It was as much about awareness as it was about resource and information exchange," explained Tanya McAdory, NRPA staff member who toured the devastated coast of Mississippi.

Participants also learned about the Base Realignment and Closure process, where military installations that have been closed can be turned into viable park land. Richard Engle, Steve Bonner and Elyse LaForest of the NPS and Rich Engle of Marstel-Day Environmental Consulting spoke on the topic, and warned land managers that there is a "tight timeframe" for the process. In May, properties will be deemed "surplus" and localities then take over.

Another workshop educated participants on grants. Ed Nofler from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) of the Department of Education discussed funding opportunities available through RSA programs. Eligible programs, he said, are ones that provide individuals with disabilities recreational activities and experiences to aid in employment, mobility, socialization, independence and community integration.

In addition to these topics, participants gained knowledge on technical assistance for projects through three programs--National Heritage Areas (NEA), Federal Lands to Parks (FLP) and the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (RTCA).

After these educational sessions, speakers presented information on two bills that dealt with equal access to recreational opportunities. The first session called "Recreation Access for All" focused on the Americans with Disability Act and Title IX. The session highlighted equal opportunities for recreation and issues concerning access for the disabled, both men and women.

Neena Chaudhry, National Women's Law Center counsel, discussed details of gender equity in park and recreation sports programs, as part of the implementation of Title IX, a 1972 law which prohibits discrimination in federally-funded education programs or activities on the basis of sex.

Significant new funding opportunities in the recent transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, were the topic of the following session. Speaker Kevin McCarty from the Surface Transportation Policy Project stressed that park and recreation professionals, as well as citizen supporters must "get engaged with transportation in your community."

Tim Arnade from the Federal Highway Administration also spoke about the Safe Routes to School program and its funding potential for parks and recreation. Over five years, $612 million will go to providing these routes, sometimes through park land. State, local and regional agencies are eligible for funds, as well as non-profit groups. "We want to make the program accessible to a variety of people," he said.

A three-part session, "Policy, Legislation and Regulations Impacting State and Local Parks," discussed the legislative motives of parks and recreation on local, state and national levels. Derrick Crandall, president and chief executive officer of the American Recreation Coalition, said that times have changed. "We need to look ahead," he said. "Recreation needs are not the same that they were in the '70s and '80s."

RELATED ARTICLE: Physical activity issues tackled at roundtable.

Speakers discuss childhood obesity and community efforts.

A new feature to NRPA's National Legislative Forum was the Physical Activity Roundtable, where a panel of community leaders and national experts gave their input on encouraging physical activity through policy and community leadership.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and develop strategies to strengthen advocacy efforts to advance the physical activity goals of park and recreation management.

Speakers included representatives from the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), The American Heart Association, the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA), The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA), the City of Rockville, Md., Department of Recreation and Parks and Howard County, Md., Recreation and Parks.

While the purpose of the roundtable was to advance physical activity goals, speakers showed an overwhelming interest in legislation about physical activity as it pertains to health and obesity, especially with children.

A major concern was President Bush's proposed cuts of $19 million to the Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress Program (PEP), which directly funds schools for the purchase of sports and fitness equipment and for the training and hiring of physical education teachers. Michael Ochs, NASPE director of government relations, said that PEP is crucial to combating obesity in schoolchildren. "We're advocating that PEP be funded at $100 million, rather than the administration's proposed $26 million," he explained. NRPA is requesting that PEP be funded at $74 million. Ochs added that the heavily-contested No Child Left Behind law does not include health and physical education components.

But the concerns about physical activity extended beyond school students. Sheila Franklin, communications and marketing manager for NCPPA, said that the organization has adopted a legislative initiative that will allow individuals to use Flex or health spending accounts for physical activity purposes, such as gym memberships or fees charged by park and recreation agencies. The measure's progression will depend on action by representatives in the House Ways and Means Committee.

The two park and recreation departments from Maryland gave practical suggestions to encourage physical activity on the local level. Allan Harden, division manager of sports and adventure for Howard County, described the organization's involvement with NRPA's "Step Up to Health" program. The county partnered with the local health department's program to fight obesity and encourage recreation as a way to maintain health.

Phil Bryan, the superintendent of recreation for Rockville is responsible for starting the "Walk Rockville" program. The program provides starter kits for $10, which includes pedometers, water bottles and maps for bicycling, hiking and walking trails in the city. He said he is currently trying to get leaders in each neighborhood to promote the program.

Other important issues discussed at the roundtable included the hopeful passage of the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act (IMPACT) and support for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention appropriations for nutrition and physical activity.