Sitka Community Playground at Crescent Harbor Park / Anderson Land Planning, Patrick Schneider photography
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 12, 2019) – The American Society of Landscape
Architects (ASLA) has long advocated for permanent authorization of the Land
and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). For over fifty years, LWCF has protected
lands in every state and congressional district in the nation and provided
funds for over 41,000 state and local park projects.
And today, thanks to
the relentless efforts of ASLA and our members, the president signed a permanent
authorization of LWCF into law.
“From Black Rock
Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, to North Tangipahoa Parish Park in
Louisiana, to Crescent Harbor Playground in Alaska, LWCF gives landscape
architects the ability to plan and design parks and recreational facilities
that are resilient, beneficial, and beautiful outdoor spaces,” said Nancy Somerville,
Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of the American Society of
Landscape Architects. “The permanent authorization of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund is an incredible victory for ASLA, our members, and our
partners. This critical program will help lead our nation to a healthier, more
sustainable future that is accessible for all.”
LWCF is one of the
only federal programs that provides dedicated funds for local and community
parks and recreational facilities. This gives communities access to green
spaces while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. The permanent authorization
of LWCF ensures landscape architects and other design and planning
professionals have the funds needed to complete safe and accessible community plans.
The LWCF provision
is part of a bipartisan comprehensive public lands bill renamed the John D.
Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act, which will protect
millions of acres of public lands, provide countless recreation opportunities
for the nation, while also creating tourism and economic development benefits.
In addition to
authorizing LWCF, the law, signed today by the president includes another ASLA
priority—the Every Kid in a Park program. Every Kid in a Park introduces our
youth to the beauty and benefits of the natural world by giving fourth graders
and their families passes to our national parks and public lands.
Contact:
Jacquelyn Bianchini
Manager, Media Relations and Public Awareness
The American Society of Landscape Architects
202.216.2371 │jbianchini@asla.org