NRPA members canvas Washington: high attendance, strong advocacy, highlight NRPA Washington Forum.

Over 350 advocates for quality recreation and parks joined legislators, executive agency staff and a national media personality for the National Recreation and Park Association's Legislative Forum in Washington, D.C. from February 29 to March 2. This annual national policy and advocacy event included the presentation of NRPA Congressional Awards, Grant-in-Aid Workshops, a briefing on pending federal legislation and budget proposals, and direct contact with congressional offices and representatives.

"This mid-year meeting, more than ever, confirmed my respect and confidence in NRPA members and our mission," said T. Destry Jarvis, NRPA executive director. "I was proud of the responses our members received from their representatives. We were told it was quite compelling when citizens and recreation and park professionals made their case together to get support for their community programs."

Getting to the Issues

The goal of this meeting is to educate NRPA members about current governmental trends and programs that affect their work, and then provide them with the information and skills needed to make a strong case to national leaders. Chris Matthews, host of CNBC and MSNBC television's Hardball, shared his views on "new American perspectives" in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. "Parks make life in big cities bearable," he said, "and now the term community means more than it used to." Matthews emphasized the imperative for close attention to politics and politicians while observing that people today are looking at the world differently. "There's little tolerance for partisanship and divisiveness," he remarked. He also noted, "that authenticity has replaced charisma," as one indicator of how American values have changed since September.

To get a perspective from elected officials, U.S. Representative Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.) met with members and urged recreation advocates to expand investments in active recreation. "We should use money from the booming health care business to build public recreation facilities to prevent unhealthy lifestyles before they even begin," he observed. "With funding from health care dollars," said Sanders, "we could build recreation facilities all over the country." He urged individuals to use a convincing, loud, and intelligent voice when meeting with their legislators.

Members also received background on legislation and grants that affect their programs. The grant-in-aid federal agency staff informed attendees of several sources of potential aid, including some not widely known to the field. Briefings on current policy and legislation addressed an array of social and resource issues, including legislation to reauthorize juvenile justice and delinquency grant authority; "enhance" transportation "and develop trails; and an expanded AmeriCorps program that would support public health, security and other local needs.

Appropriation objectives that were discussed included funds for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (now administered by the states) and technology opportunity grants administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce. NRPA members urged continued support for the proposed Conservation and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 701), and fiscal year 2003 appropriations for Land and Water Conservation Fund state assistance and for restoration of urban recreation and park facilities.

Member advocacy makes a difference. NRPA advocacy successes include a $50 million Land Water Conservation Fund grant for FY 2002, $30 million for urban park restoration, expanded authority to convert "brownfields" to parks and green space, and expanded access to funds for after school services.

Recognizing Leaders

NRPA presented its Congressional Awards to key legislators for their continued national leadership to improve or protect the quality and quantity of leisure opportunities through recreation, parks and related conservation programs and projects. U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, (D-Ark.), and representatives John Conyers, (D-Mich.), and Nathan Deal, (R-Ga.), were recognized for significant contributions to public recreation and related actions.

The awards event included members of Congress, congressional and executive agency officials and staff, and allied public interest and advocacy groups that share many NRPA policy interests.

Lincoln and Deal have introduced legislation to expand recreation use of federal lakes where it is appropriate to do so. Conyers was recognized for his career-long support for youth recreation, a key part of national strategies to reduce the risk of youth use of illegal drugs and other unhealthy behavior.

NRPA chairman David O. Lose, FASLA, described Conyers as "a remarkable legislator who believes that healthy individuals and families are those that have access to and participate in public recreation."

Getting to Work

"Parks and Recreation Day on Capitol Hill" resulted in contact with 253 House and 44 Senate offices. "This is highly impressive," observed Jarvis. "It is indicative of the importance both NRPA members and their congressional delegates place on parks and recreation. Our message will be received if we take the time to speak to leaders."

The Texas delegation broke into four groups and visited all 30 of their representatives. "We gave them one-page synopses' of the various bills we supported," said Yvonne Washington from the Dallas Department of Parks and Recreation. "One of the interns we met with was a recreation major from Texas A&M. It's was rewarding to see that students are getting involved in all aspects of our profession."

"Everyone was saying they supported our efforts, but didn't have any money to put behind their support," said Don Jessen, from the Addison Park District in Addison, Illinois. "The staff we met was quite young, but very enthusiastic. Next year, I'd like to hand out our Public Policy office's business cards so they can pick up where we leave off."

Several branch, regional and national committees also met to work on NRPA governance and related matters. The Citizen Board Branch worked on many areas to help us develop a wider scope of services for citizens who support parks and recreation.

The tone of the conference was obviously working together to make NRPA stronger. Speaking to the Membership Development Committee chaired by NRPA Membership Director Pat Cartwright, Jim Donhaue, CPRP, from Fairport, New York, suggested that "NRPA consolidate membership committees to enhance communication and streamline data. By developing a critical mass we will expand our partnership opportunities and develop stronger contacts, and in turn support greater NRPA membership development."

The 2003 Midyear policy events are set for February 27-March 2.