Public parks are a unique legacy that define our community’s character. From the smallest, pocket neighborhood park to the grandest metropolitan treasures, parks give spirit and vitality to residents of Miami-Dade County.

Parks and recreation play a vital role in promoting the quality of life and livability of communities where residents enjoy and improve their mental and physical health; conserve and protect natural and cultural resources and open spaces; responsibly use energy resources; and enjoy a clean, healthy environment.

Support is critical for adequate local, state and federal investments and policies that encourage the acquisition and development of parks, public lands, and recreation resources for Miami-Dade County.

Park Champions are needed to share with elected officials the many ways parks and recreation agencies improve health and wellness, increase economic vitality and preserve natural resources in communities.  Political decisions are being made today that will determine the fate of parks and recreation facilities for years to come. Park and recreation programs and facilities will be impacted by these decisions. By educating legislators about the importance of parks and recreation agencies and communicating with them about legislation that impacts public parks and recreation, you can help determine how those decisions will be made.

The Parks Department is a Valuable Public Resource:

• Creates outstanding recreational, natural and cultural opportunities for all
• Promotes the quality of life and livable communities where residents can enjoy and improve their mental and physical health
• Conserves and protects natural and cultural resources
• Promotes a clean, healthy environment
• Promotes health through physical activity
• Reconnects children with nature
• Protects open space for recreation

Become a Parks Champion/Advocate:

• Telephone, write or visit your elected officials and tell them what you expect from them in making parks funding a priority in your community.
• Write an opinion editorial and submit to your local newspaper
• Get your newspaper to write an editorial
• Support Parks' legislative and policy platform

2010-11 National/State Legislative Issues

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
Requested Congressional Action: In Fiscal Year 2010, appropriate $125M million in funding for the Land and Water Conservation Stateside Assistance Program.

Funding for Urban Parks
Requested Congressional Action:  Appropriate $50 million to specifically fund urban parks through programs such as the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR) or other comparable federal programs.  Funding should include $1.1 million for program administration.

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
Requested Congressional Action: Fund the Community Development Block Grant Program at $4.6 billion in FY '10.

Children and Nature (NCLI)
Requested Congressional Action: Ensure that legislation that expands environmental education identifies park and recreation agencies as entities eligible for direct funding. Public parks and recreation are vital to the effort to engage children in enjoying the outdoors, provide safe, healthy ways to explore nature, and enhance environmental education.

Surface Transportation Reauthorization
Requested Congressional Action: Increase funding in the reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Program for the Transportation Enhancements Program; bike and pedestrian trails; the Recreational Trails Program; boating safety and fishing education; Safe Routes to Schools; and other transportation related programs that improve community health and livability.

Support funding for CDC Dept. of Nutrition and Physical Activity to expand anti-obesity programming to all 50 states.

Encourage federal support for therapeutic recreation options.

Support restoration of Rehabilitative Services Administration Recreational Program Grants funding.

Community-Based Rehabilitation for Wounded Service Members and Veterans
Requested Congressional Action: Appropriate $10 million in FY '10 to the United States Paralympic Integrated Adaptive Sports Program (P.L. 110-389) and appropriate $5 million in FY10 to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Paralympic Military Program.

Ensuring Access to Recreation Therapy
Requested Congressional Action: Direct the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to clearly define recreational therapy performed by a licensed or certified therapeutic recreation (TR) professional as a covered Medicare Service.

Health, Wellness, and Physical Activity
Requested Congressional Action: Appropriate a minimum of $150 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Healthy Communities Program through funding provided in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and FY '10 appropriations.

Protection of Children (HB223 ): Revises definition of "child care personnel" to include persons who work in summer 24-hour camps; requires summer day camps & summer 24-hour camps to be licensed by DCFS & requires employees thereof to undergo level 2 background screening; repeals exemption from fingerprinting requirements for summer camp personnel.

Extended School Day Programs(HB299) (SB246): Creates pilot program in Miami-Dade County that authorizes school districts to enter into agreements with county recreation department for purpose of using facilities for extended school day programs in approved middle schools & high schools.

• Alliance for Youth Excellence 
• Cinco de Mayo Park 
• Cultural Arts Bridge & Pedestrian Connection 
• Disability Sports 
• Equestrian Center 
• Exotic Wildlife Control 
• OHV Recreational Trails Development 
• Safe Routes to Parks & Public Spaces 
• Trail Glades Range 

State

• Alliance for Youth Excellence 
• Cinco de Mayo Park 
• Disability Sports 
• Exotic Wildlife Control 
• Florida Forever Program 
• FRDAP Program 
• LWCF Program 
• OHV Recreational Trails Development