On June 23, 2024, the US Conference of Mayors (USCM), at its 92nd Annual Meeting in Kansas City, MO, adopted a new city parks resolution that urges Congress to pass the Outdoors for All Act. The resolution passed unanimously. Cleveland, OH Mayor Justin Bibb, who is the Chair of the Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports Committee, sponsored the resolution.
The resolution states that the U.S. Conference of Mayors views urban parks as essential infrastructure for 21st-century cities and believes everyone living in urban areas should have equal access to parks, green spaces, and recreational opportunities. The resolution highlights the health, economic, and environmental benefits of city parks and the need for permanent federal funding for parks in underserved communities.
The Outdoors for All Act would codify the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program. Established in 2014, the ORLP focuses on providing outdoor recreation in disadvantaged communities within urban areas. The program funds land acquisition, new park development, and the renovation of existing parks.
“I was thrilled to sponsor this important city parks resolution that was formally adopted by the USCM. It is critical that Congress now pass the Outdoors for All Act. City parks play a vital role in the social, economic, and physical well-being of America’s cities and their residents. This newly adopted USCM resolution shows the broad support from mayors across the country for city parks and urges Congress to pass a federal outdoor recreation legislative package that includes the Outdoors for All Act in 2024,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.
As cities become more densely populated and concerns about the impact of climate change increase, elected officials, planners, and community advocates are using parks to help address critical urban infrastructure and public health issues. City parks provide access to recreational opportunities, spur local economies, combat crime, and protect cities from environmental impacts. Parks are now recognized as powerful tools to address many of the challenges cities face today.
“Parks make our cities work. They are civic infrastructure as important as bridges and roads and water systems, with a high return on public investment because they do so much to help cities meet our greatest challenges, from environmental resiliency to community vitality. We cannot have thriving, sustainable cities without high-quality parks. Despite the enormous benefits, public funding for urban parks is limited and not keeping up with demand, especially in distressed communities where their many benefits are most needed,” said City Parks Alliance Executive Director Catherine Nagel.
USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran states, “The U.S. Conference of Mayors is appreciative of the advocacy work of City Parks Alliance and its bipartisan Mayors for Parks Coalition, which has worked to increase federal investment in our nation’s city parks and secure passage of the Outdoors for All Act. Mayors are committed to ensuring that everyone living in urban areas has equal access to parks, green spaces, and recreational opportunities and are grateful for City Parks Alliance in helping to make this goal a reality.”
City Parks Alliance is the only independent, nationwide membership organization solely dedicated to urban parks. The mission of City Parks Alliance is to educate and elevate a diverse constituency to leverage the power of parks in shaping equitable, resilient, and thriving cities.
The United States Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are over 1,400 such cities in the country today. As the leading voice for cities in our nation’s capital, the Conference brings together mayors from across the country to engage with the White House, Administration, and Congress to ensure that federal policy addresses the priorities of cities
