National Legislative Forum on Parks & Recreation

The 2007 Forum: An Interactive History

If you attended last year's National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation, what did you like best about it?  If you didn't attend, what did you miss?

We keep this site live so that you can experience the best of the 2007 Forum whenever you like.

CNN's Dr. Gupta Blogs on the Partnership for Play

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, operates a blog on the CNN Web site.  Just after filing a report on the launch of the Partnership for Play initiative, he posted a message to his blog on the importance of play in child health.  Very cool.

CNN Covers Partnership for Play

CNN broadcast a report from Dr. Sanjay Gupta on the war on childhood obesity.  The report highlights the Partnership for Play Every Day.  Click here to view the report from CNN.com.

Scenes from the Forum

The Illinois delegation at the Legislative Forum met with Senators Richard Durbin and Barack Obama.  Nice to know that candidates for president do take time to meet with their constituents!

Executive Director Reflects on the Forum

Parks & Recreation magazine editor Rachel Roberts chats with NRPA Executive Director John Thorner about his thoughts on this year's forum and the legislative imperatives for the coming year.

The Power of Play

Want to be inspired? Legislative Forum sponsor Playworld Systems reminds us all why we do what we do.

Seen and Heard on the Hill

As NRPA members return from Capitol Hill and report back on their visits with legislators, the association's top priorities seem to have support from top lawmakers. Here is a sample of some of what was seen and heard on the Hill:

Tonia Whatley from Alabama: "We didn't meet with anyone face to face, but the assistants were genuinely attentive. I think just being here is a success."

Michelle Park from Ohio: "It's a new day on the Hill -- the pendulum has swung back and Congress supports us. In fact, two legislators we met with signed onto LWCF [Land and Water Conservation Fund] right away."

Dave Ostlund from Missouri: "It was good we made contacts really early and they seem anxious to work with NRPA on park and recreation issues."

Dundee Jones from Nevada: "Sen. [Harry] Reid has supported everything we asked for in the past, but his ears really perked up when we told them [the Partnership for Play Every Day] had medical professionals behind and it, and they really started taking notice."

Doug Beck from Maine: "We sat and talked to Congressman [Thomas] Allen about issues for a long time, and he seemed very optimistic, very sunny and open."

Wendell Howell from Illinois: "Whether we met with an aide or congressman, we had a good reception for LWCF. They understand by keeping kids healthy, maybe we can reduce healthcare costs."

Tom Ross from Maryland: "We met with Rep. [John] Sarbanes, and he really understands our issues. I think it's reflective of younger congressman -- they want to know what we are doing to help young people understand the importance of parks and recreation? I think he will be an important ally."

NRPA Honors Legislators with Congressional Awards

NRPA held its annual Congressional Award ceremony Thursday afternoon on Capitol Hill. With more than 300 people in attendance, NRPA showed its collective gratitude for the hard work of several dedicated legislators.

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) was selected for the critical role he played in galvanizing support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state assistance program last year. He also co-sponsored a "Dear Colleague" letter that prompted more than 150 other representatives to add their support. When receiving the award, he said, "As long as I'm in Congress, I'll continue to work with you across party lines--whatever it takes."

Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) was selected for her tireless efforts to fight the national obesity crisis through funding priorities. Her support for the PE 4 Life legislation and her sponsorship of the Childhood Obesity Reduction Act showed her commitment to a healthier future for all Americans. As she accepted the NRPA award, she said, "There is not a community that doesn't recognize that, for quality of life, you need parks, open space and healthy communities."

Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) was selected for his leadership in promoting strategies that keep children active through youth sports. He has led the way in showing how local sports programs help to instill character qualities that are invaluable. He said, "The message we want to send is that positive things come from youth sports and recreation."

Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), although not able to attend, was recognized for his ongoing support of LWCF and his outspoken support of the program through the appropriations process.

Partnership, Legislation Announced Today

NRPA, along with the YMCA and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), held a special launch event for a new initiative called the Partnership for Play Every Day, which will support efforts to encourage children to devote 60 minutes per day to play and exercise. More information is available at www.playeveryday.org.

During the launch event, Dr. Bill Haskell of the Stanford University School of Medicine presented a science-based report focused on the national crisis of childhood obesity and the need to do something about the sedentary culture in America. The report also calls for development of a Community Play Index that would identify local barriers that limit or prevent children from being able to play. Dr. Haskell: "We need to create a 'Generation Play.' If we don't get behind this kind of change, we are going to have Generation XXL: extra, extra large."

He added that one out of five children aged 2 to 16 is obese, and the percentage will grow unless greater opportunities for physical activity are available.

At the same event, Sena. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) announced that he is co-sponsoring landmark legislation with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) called the Promoting Lifelong Active Communities Every Day Act. The bill focuses on increasing quality play opportunities, acquisition of spaces for play, and raising voices in support of opportunities for play.

Sen. Harkin stressed that, although he believes that no child should be left behind in terms of intellectual achievement, they also shouldn't be left behind in terms of physical achievement. "Why are physical education and art teachers the first to be cut from school budgets? Aren't these things important to a child's development?"

For more information on the Promoting Lifelong Active Communities Every Day Act, visit www.nrpa.org/forum.

Committee Hearing on Bush's FY08 Budget

A report from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's hearing on President Bush's fiscal year 2008 budget for the Department of Interior. Listen below to the full report.

Rep. McIntyre's Keynote Address

"Let's give vision to where we're going, not to where we've been," said Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), speaking at Wednesday's National Policy Luncheon. "With voice and vision, we can achieve that victory for a better quality of life through parks and recreation."

Listen below to Rep. McIntyre's address in its entirety.

Voice and Vision Bring Victory

At the National Policy Luncheon held today, leaders stressed the importance of lending a voice to vision to achieve victory for legislative objectives.

Ron Lehman, Chairman of the NRPA Board of Directors, welcomed delegates to the event.  He stated that "we are a nation of immense wealth and great talent, with citizens who deeply value our democratic traditions.  One important part of those traditions," he added, "is our park and recreation system"

He went on to say that, even though delegates would be among the first to meet with new members of Congress this year, they would face opposition to funding park and recreation programs due to competing priorities.  "It is up to us to turn Congressional sympathy for our cause into real support, in terms of both legislative policy and federal appropriations."

Congressman Mike McIntyre (D - North Carolina 7th District) - a consistent support of park and recreation issues - served as the keynote speaker for the National Policy Luncheon.  He told the delegates that he was honored to be a part of the Forum and that he agreed with Lehman's points. He assured the crowd that their work on Capitol Hill would make a difference.

McIntyre stressed that delegates need to link parks and recreation to quality of life issues, which was something that every member of Congress understands.  "Recreation teaches the values that our country is yearning for,"

He went on to say that the only way to achieve victory is through voice and vision. "Your voice needs to give solutions, rather than just problems." Additionally, he said that delegates need to share a vision that will truly impact communities. "Let's give vision where we're going, not where we've been."

"With voice and vision, we can achieve that victory for a better quality of life through parks and recreation."

Advocacy Success = People Power

Advocacy is all about relationships, says retired North Carolina State Parks superintendent Tom Wells.  This was his key message to some 200 park and recreation professionals who braved the snow and ice this morning to attend the "How to Lobby for Parks and Recreation" session at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC.

Want to sell Land and Water Conservation Fund state assistance to your respective legislators?  Read a book a book about salesmanship, suggests Wells.  He added, "It's nothing more than selling.  Regardless of what you're selling, " Wells added, "you've got to know two things: your product and your customer."

"Whether it's a car or LWCF," says Wells - a self-described "political survivor" - "you've got to be knowledgeable about the issue and understand everything you can about your prospective buyer.  It's as simple as that."

Wells' tips for advocacy success:

1. Keep it to the point.

2. Stress the benefits of your issue.

3. Do all the homework you need to do.

Great advice to keep in mind ahead of tomorrow's visits to Capitol Hill.

2007 Forum Kicks Off With Ed Sessions

Despite a fresh coat of ice over the Washington, DC, area, an early morning crowd of delegates filled the convention room at the 2007 National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation to hear the invigorating opening remarks of NRPA Executive Director John Thorner and Public Policy Director Rich Dolesh.  "We're the first national organization to be on Capitol Hill this year," Dolesh announced.  "The good news is that we have a great opportunity to advocate for park and recreation initiatives."  Thorner agreed, saying "we're gathered here in Washington at a critical time."

From there, attendees headed to education sessions led by advocacy and issue specialists.  Through these sessions, upcoming congressional issues came to the forefront.

"No Child Left Behind is coming up for reauthorization," Peter Eldridge, a speaker from the US Department of Education, said concerning President Bush's 2001 Education Act.  "What does this mean for the future? You're part of that conversation," he added in his presentation on after-school grants.

Delegates were reminded of their role in advocating for legislation in other education sessions at the Forum.  Dolesh provided talking points for trail advocacy in a Safe Routes to School session.  "It's not just about infrastructure; it's about fighting childhood obesity.  That's one of the primary points of focus at this Forum."

Speakers from the Federal Highway Administration, the Surface Transportation Authority, and from NRPA representatives gave insight into topics from transportation issues to grants for supporting physical activity and nutrition programs.

For more information on these topics, review the Legislative Forum Briefing Papers.

Always Prepared

In the midst of last-minute prepping for a Hill visit to your respective state’s congressional office during the NRPA Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation? If you still have access to a printer, you may want to take a look at the briefing papers that NRPA has provided to help you make your case.

The benefits of public parks and recreation are all here, from active living to healthy communities to therapeutic recreation. There are even some terrific background pieces on LWCF and the various federal funding sources available to agencies for conservation, transportation and youth-development projects.

Use these resources to let your legislators know that when funded appropriately, public parks and recreation doesn’t cost municipalities money; truth be told, it pays enormous dividends.

The Legislative Forum is ON!

Inclement weather is expected in the Washington, DC region over the next 24 hours, but planners for the National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation are not expecting severe conditions that would prevent delegates from attending.

The staff at NRPA is closely monitoring the weather patterns and has developed a modified schedule  in case a large number of attendees are delayed in arriving. Stay tuned to this blog or www.nrpa.org for regular updates, or click here to track whether your travel plans may be affected.

You Should Know:

When traveling into Washington from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), the best mode of transportation is the Metro. Take the Blue line train to the Metro Center stop.  There is an entrance to the Grand Hyatt Washington in the station.  Metro access is safe, easy, and user friendly from this and other stops.  Visit www.wmata.com for maps, fare amounts, and schedules.

Still have questions?  Visit www.nrpa.org/forum, or contact 800.626.NRPA (6772) for more information.

Scenes from the 2006 Legislative Forum

Rep. McIntyre to Keynote 2007 Forum

powered by Audioblog.com

Welcome to the 2007 Legislative Forum!

NRPA Headquarters is pleased to offer this Weblog (or "blog") as a service to the parks and recreation community.  Staff and volunteers will offer insights and news on the activities taking place at the 2007 Legislative Forum.  The event and this blog are made possible through the generous support of Playworld Systems.

For those of you who will join us in Washington February 14-16, this site will serve as a great location for reading up on sessions, events, and visits with legislators after you've participated in them.  For those of you who are not able to attend the Forum, you can participate in the forum no matter where you are!  Read about the event and post comments and thoughts to any of our posts.

If you have any questions, please contact me at jcrosby@nrpa.org.