| The final conference report for the American | | | | prohibition from being enacted. Armed with facts |
| Recovery and Investment Act issued late last | | | | and figures on the economic value of local parks |
| night by the House and Senate Conference | | | | and the direct benefits that would result in |
| Committee did not contain language that had been | | | | creating jobs and revitalizing local economies, |
| included in the Senate version prohibiting the use | | | | NRPA advocates convinced Members of Congress |
| of stimulus funds for community parks. | | | | and key Congressional staff of the merits of |
| Working late into the night of February 11, and | | | | allowing spending of stimulus funds for community |
| throughout the next day as well, House and | | | | parks. |
| Senate conferees worked to reconcile two very | | | | The final conference report language adopted by |
| different versions of the stimulus bill. A ripper | | | | the Conference Committee states: |
| amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) | | | | "None of the funds appropriated or otherwise |
| submitted on February 6, had specified that: "no | | | | made available in this Act may be used for any |
| funds in the bill can be used for any casino or | | | | casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, |
| other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf | | | | zoo, golf course, or swimming pool." |
| course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, | | | | Thus, the final conference report ensures that |
| museum, theater, art center, and highway | | | | funds in this bill will not be denied to park and |
| beautification project." | | | | recreation agencies for spending on community |
| Having healthy children and a strong community | | | | parks and school playground equipment. Some |
| park system is vital to having a healthy, active | | | | prohibitions remained in the bill language and will |
| nation. Interactive and accessible school | | | | thus prevent spending of stimulus funds on |
| playground equipment, well-built recreational fields | | | | swimming pools, public golf courses, zoos, and |
| and other park system features are key to this | | | | aquariums, fortunately the final language did not |
| vitality. | | | | prohibit inclusion of other categorical exclusions |
| Not surprisingly, the Senate swiftly approved the | | | | such as museums, theaters, and arts facilities, |
| Coburn amendment by a vote of 73-24, likely | | | | many of which are important park and recreation |
| because few of them wanted to be seen in the | | | | services to the public. |
| position of voting to allow stimulus funds to be | | | | This was a significant and important victory for |
| spent on casinos or gambling establishments. | | | | parks and recreation, and NRPA thanks the many |
| However, spending on the very worthwhile and | | | | allied organizations, citizen advocates, and our |
| stimulative public sector categories that were | | | | members for their exceptional efforts to see that |
| specified in this amendment, including "community | | | | funding for community parks was rightfully |
| parks," would have also been prohibited. | | | | included in this economic recovery bill. Parks and |
| NRPA advocates and allies swung into action with | | | | recreation can and will play a vital role in helping to |
| an all-out advocacy effort to stop this senseless | | | | restore our national economic health and vitality. |