Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Minibus Appropriations Bills:
“Today is an important day for parks and recreation and the communities we serve. We celebrate the bipartisan commitment to increased funding levels for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state assistance program, NRPA’s top funding priority. LWCF has funded tens of thousands of state and local park projects during the past 60 years. Additionally, NRPA celebrates an increase in funding for the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to support youth mentoring.
These investments help communities across the country build and sustain the parks, playgrounds, trails and open spaces that bring people together and strengthen quality of life, while also empowering park and recreation agencies on the front lines to deliver high-quality programs that support our youth and strengthen community.
According to NRPA’s 2025 Engagement With Parks Report, an estimated 227 million adults or a household member visited their local park or recreation facility in 2025. That number speaks volumes about how essential these spaces are to daily life. Parks and recreation are not just public amenities; they are vital community infrastructure that support health, connection and opportunity.
This outcome reflects tireless advocacy by park and recreation professionals and supporters nationwide, as well as the leadership of members of Congress who recognize the value of investing in our communities.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make this moment possible, and proud of what it means for the future of parks and recreation. When we invest in parks, we invest in people, and today’s passage of the minibus appropriations bills is a critical step forward for communities across the country.”