Senator Hagan (D-NC) plans to introduce the Community Parks Revitalization Act in September

After over two years of efforts to engage Senate offices on an urban parks bill we are pleased to announce that Senator Hagan (D-NC) plans to introduce the Community Parks Revitalization Act, a companion bill to H.R. 709, in September.  Like the House Bill, this legislation would serve as an updated version of UPARR and would provide matching federal assistance grants to local parks and recreation agencies in metropolitan areas.

Although the bill is considered a “companion” to the House bill there are some minor differences, primarily:

·         Removal of authorization dollar amount and replacing with, “such sums as necessary.” This was done to  alleviate concerns about the price tag of the bill and attract more support  in this economic/political climate.

·         Combining innovation and at-risk youth grants to create “innovation and recreation program grants” that also includes priority criteria for projects/programs which primarily benefit returning veterans and military families in addition to at-risk youth.  This serves to streamline the bill, remove potential duplicity among the grant programs, and also help attract more support for the bill.

Hagan’s office would like to secure original co-sponsors before introducing the bill so it is important for us to get the support and commitment of other Senate offices.

Please begin reaching out to your respective Senators asking them to sign on as original co-sponsors

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