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RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO PROVIDE $30 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-09

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WHEREAS, the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program was established in November, 1978 by Public Law 95-625; and
WHEREAS, UPARR provides matching federal grants and technical assistance through the National Park Service to fund the rehabilitation and renovation of deteriorating parks and recreation facilities in economically distressed cities and metropolitan counties; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, UPARR has awarded approximately 1,500 individual grants to 380 local jurisdictions in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico totaling more that $270 million; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has received $400,000 in grant funds from UPARR; and
WHEREAS, UPARR received appropriations totaling $28.8 million and $28.9 million in FY 2001 and FY 2002, respectively, but UPARR has not been funded since 2002 leaving localities without a vital source of assistance to rehabilitate their parks and recreation facilities; and
WHEREAS, UPARR funds have done everything from refurbishing worn out baseball and soccer fields to providing facilities for performing arts training to providing recreation services to disadvantaged youth; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that providing children and young adults with positive recreational alternatives is of immense importance not only to the youth but also to the community; and
WHEREAS, urban park and recreational facilities often serve the most at risk children who lack quality open space and recreational facilities; and
WHEREAS, these small park and recreation facilities are among the safest neighborhood environments and can help to protect our children from the harmful influences of gangs, drugs and crime; and
WHEREAS, in many communities, the local park or recreation center is likely to be the only place where families, children and seniors can be physically active, especially among those who cannot afford to join private health clubs; and
WHEREAS, one of the keys to addressing many chronic heart conditions and preventing health problems generally is providing citizens safe and easy access to public places for physical activity,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Respectfully requests that the U.S. Congress appropriate $30 million for the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program for FY 2009.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Chair and Members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; the Chair and Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; and the members of the Florida Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's federal lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Sections 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2008 and 2009 Federal Legislative Packages.