Congressman Albio Sires (NJ) has reintroduced the Urban Revitalization
and Livable Communities Act (H.R. 709),
which would provide assistance to communities seeking to transform their
neighborhoods by creating new or rehabilitating existing parks and recreation
spaces. With this small government
investment, communities can plan and construct projects that will not only
provide critical recreational opportunities, but will also attract economic
development opportunities and other private sector investments.
Creating new and rehabilitating existing parks and other
outdoor recreation spaces has a myriad of benefits, including:
Attracting businesses and other economic development
Increasing residential and commercial property values
Creating and
sustaining skilled, well-paying, community-based, jobs
Serving as community hubs that connect housing, schools, and business
corridors via public transportation and bicycle and pedestrian trails.
Promoting public healthy by providing much-needed community spaces for
outdoor activity and exercise.
Providing affordable community
and environmental benefits; Parks and other green spaces effectively
mitigate expensive stormwater management
issues, Parks counteract the urban heat island effect, and Parks help improve
air quality.
This bill remains one of ASLA’s top legislative priorities;
in the 111th Congress this bill had the support of over 130 members
of the House of Representatives. Please
encourage your elected officials to support this important legislation via
ASLA’s Advocacy
Network. For more information visit
ASLA’s Campaign
for Urban Parks, where you can learn more about this bill, and send a
message to your legislator.
For more on ASLA Advocacy
asla.org/advocacy
