On May 11, the City Parks Alliance met with congressional leaders to discuss their legislation initiatives and advocacy efforts as part of their "Day on the Hill" event.

 
City Parks Alliance Executive Director Catherine Nagel, and City Parks Alliance Advocacy Director Julie Waterman, were joined by eight members of the City Parks Alliance Board of Directors. The board members were from public, non-profit, and private organizations, representing urban communities from around the US.

The group met with seven congressional offices, including the House Appropriations and Natural Resources Committees and the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. They discussed the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund's Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program, Outdoors for All Act, and the critical role that parks play as essential infrastructure. The group urged Congressional members to meet the White House's budget proposal to fund the ORLP at $135 million.
"The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership provides a high return on federal funding, leveraging local support, and achieves important environmental, social, and economic outcomes that improve the quality of life for all urban residents," explained Executive Director Catherine Nagel. "Funding the ORLP at $135 million for FY24 and codifying the program through the Outdoors for All Act is a smart investment in our communities."

Additionally, at the City Parks Alliance Board meeting on May 16, the board welcomed special guests from the Department of Interior and the National Park Service. The group discussed the ORLP program and the importance of linking urban communities with outdoor recreation opportunities. Several leaders from the US Department of Interior attended including Mike Reynolds, Director of Congressional and External Relations, National Park Service; Shantha Ready Alonso, Director, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Department of Interior; Danielle Decker, Deputy Director, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Department of Interior; and Lauren Imgrund, Associate Director of Partnerships and Civic Engagement, National Park Service.

To learn more about the City Parks Alliance go to https://cityparksalliance.org