Title: Recognizing the importance of public parks and recreation facilities and activities and expressing support for the designation of the month of July as "Parks and Recreation Month".
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
This bill recognizes the value of public parks and recreation facilities and activities and their importance in communities across the United States.
The bill supports the designation of a Parks and Recreation Month.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 533 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 533

 Recognizing the importance of public parks and recreation facilities 
and activities and expressing support for the designation of the month 
               of July as ``Parks and Recreation Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 16, 2021

Ms. Barragan (for herself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the importance of public parks and recreation facilities 
and activities and expressing support for the designation of the month 
               of July as ``Parks and Recreation Month''.

Whereas Federal, State, and local public parks and recreation systems are 
        dedicated to conservation efforts and to enhancing the quality of life 
        for all residents in communities around the United States;
Whereas public parks and recreation facilities and activities--

    (1) provide opportunities for young people to live, grow, and develop 
into contributing members of society;

    (2) create lifelines and continuous life experience for older members 
of the community;

    (3) generate opportunities for all people to come together and 
experience nature as well as a sense of community; and

    (4) boost local economies by attracting businesses, jobs, and other 
economic opportunities;

Whereas public parks have served as a much-needed refuge during the COVID-19 
        pandemic;
Whereas public parks operations and capital spending in the United States 
        generate nearly $166,000,000,000 in economic activity each year and 
        support over 1,000,000 jobs;
Whereas 83 percent of people in the United States agree that public parks and 
        recreation facilities and activities are essential for their well-being;
Whereas 87 percent of people in the United States agree that ensuring all 
        members of their community have equitable access to public parks and 
        recreation facilities and activities is important;
Whereas quality of life with adequate and accessible public parks and open space 
        is a key factor in business expansion and location decisions;
Whereas public parks and recreation facilities and activities create active and 
        healthy communities, and people who use public parks and open spaces are 
        three times more likely to achieve the recommended levels of physical 
        activity than nonusers;
Whereas public parks and recreation facilities and activities foster a healthier 
        United States, including by providing injured military veterans and 
        those with physical disabilities opportunities for physical activity, 
        encouraging communities to promote outdoor activities in order to 
        prevent and manage symptoms related to chronic diseases, working with 
        local school systems to develop science-based curricula to educate 
        children on nutrition and physical activity, connecting children with 
        nature, serving as distribution hubs for nutritious meals to children 
        and families, and combating obesity in youth;
Whereas people living within a 10-minute walk of a park have higher levels of 
        physical activity and lower rates of obesity;
Whereas parks and recreation professionals tirelessly serve their communities in 
        many important ways, helping people to relax, exercise, and reduce 
        stress; and
Whereas July 2021 is an appropriate month to designate as Parks and Recreation 
        Month: Now, therefore be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the great societal value of public parks and 
        recreation facilities and activities and their importance in 
        communities across the United States;
            (2) recognizes and honors the vital contributions of park 
        employees, parks and recreation professionals, and park 
        volunteers; and
            (3) supports the designation of ``Parks and Recreation 
        Month''.
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