Baltimore, Maryland—The U.S. Conference of Mayors has adopted a resolution put forth by the national urban parks advocacy organization City Parks Alliance that encourages greater support for urban parks from the Obama administration, U.S. Congress, U.S. mayors and the private sector.  The resolution, stating that “Everyone in urban America should live within a short walk of a park that is clean, safe and vibrant,” was adopted at the 79th annual conference held in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 21.  

(Left to right: Liam Kavanagh (NYC Parks & Recreation), Peggy O'Dell (National Park Service),
Catherine Nagel (CPA), New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory

City Parks Alliance Executive Director Catherine Nagel and Board Member Liam Kavanagh, First Deputy Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, presented the proposal to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, chairman of the Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee on June 18. 

The resolution calls for President Obama to:

• Include urban parks as essential elements in a comprehensive approach to urban policy and community development
• Support the adoption  and implementation of  the recommendations of the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative
• Support full funding for the Land Water and Conservation Fund to establish and support great urban parks
• Raise awareness of the need for greater public and private investment in parks and green space to create healthy, walkable and sustainable cities

The resolution also calls on the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the nation’s Mayors to work in partnership with the president, all members of the administration and Congress to create healthy and vibrant urban parks and open spaces for the 21st Century and to engage the public and private leaders in this effort.  Click here to view the list of adopted resolutions.  The urban parks resolution is located on page 170.

Please click here to download the full press release.