January 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 55

National Profile

NRPA's America's Backyard Program

A Nationwide Park Friends Network

NRPA is adding a layer of broad-scale advocacy to the " park
friends group " model with its America's Backyard nationwide partnering initiative. While nothing can (or should) take the place of the local park friends group, organized citizen advocacy for parks is needed
at the national level. The America's Backyard program was created to
draw attention to the important role of parks and recreation in American life-for health, physical fitness, economic development, social
interaction, environmental preservation, and community vitality.
" Through America's Backyard, the public can reach our leaders
on Capitol Hill and tell them why parks and recreation are so important to communities, " says Barbara Tulipane, NRPA chief executive
officer. " By forming a collective voice, we can all participate in ensuring vibrant, active, healthy futures for ourselves and for future
generations. "
America's Backyard offers citizens two different ways to advocate for the value of public parks, recreation, and environmental
conservation:
■ You can become a Friend of America's Backyard, showing your support for all parks across the country, with a minimum gift of $25. That
membership donation helps NRPA ensure safe, affordable, and accessible park and recreation opportunities are available for all people.
Every friend of the program receives:
 America's Backyard website-full of information about the value
of parks and recreation in the community
 Monthly Parks & Recreation digital magazine
 Semi-annual e-newsletter with updates on advocacy and other
park and recreation initiatives
 A merica's Backyard Decal-to show off your commitment to
parks and recreation.
■ You can go a step further and involve your local community group in
being a Park Partner. The benefits? For a contribution of $150 to $250
(depending on the size of your group), you get an education in park advocacy, as well as the satisfaction of knowing you are allied with other likeminded citizens to protect parks in the United States. The Park
Partner Alliance will connect you to other citizen groups across the
country and increase the collective voice for parks and recreation on
Capitol Hill. Park Partners receive the following:
 One complimentary citizen membership to NRPA per group
 One complimentary citizen registration per group to NRPA's
Legislative Forum in Washington, D.C.
 Listing and Web link on the America's Backyard Web site
 Advocacy toolkits
 Webinars and online learning courses to educate the members
of your group about advocacy
 Park and recreation handbooks
 The ability to network with other community groups across the
country
The America's Backyard initiative is designed to offer citizens
many different ways to support parks and recreation-both close to
home and across the country. Visit www.americasbackyard.org for
further information, as well as examples of NRPA's work in providing
programs and opportunities for greater health, empowerment, and
success.
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www.NRPA .ORG

JANUARY 2011

Parks & Recreation	 53
January 2011 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2011 - Parks & Recreation
