,,iii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #efi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #i1 #bjah ,mr4 ,wyden 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,mr4 ,carper1 ,ms4 ,stabenow1 ,ms4 ,cantwell1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 and ,ms4 ,harris7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary ,,resolution ,recognizing the importance of public park and recreation facilities and activities and providing for the designation of the month of ,july #bjah as 8,park and ,recreation ,month04 ,whereas ,federal1 ,state1 and local public park and recreation systems are dedicated to conservation efforts and enhancing the quality of life for all residents in communities across the ,united ,states2 ,whereas public park and recreation facilities and activities-- 7#a7 provide opportunities for young people to live1 grow1 and develop into contributing members of society2 7#b7 create lifelines and continuous life experience for older members of a community2 7#c7 generate opportunities for people to come together and experience a sense of community2 7#d7 play a vital role in creating active and healthy communities2 7#e7 pay dividends to communities by attracting businesses and jobs and increasing housing value2 7#f7 connect people to the outdoors1 creating a respect for and understanding of nature2 7#g7 lower the risk of chronic disease by improving access to opportunities for physical activity1 reducing stress and depression1 and improving environmental conditions2 and 7#h7 bolster environmental and community resilience1 allowing people and places to more quickly recover from natural disasters2 ,whereas public park operations and capital spending in the ,united ,states generate nearly #aed1jjj1jjj1jjj in economic activity each year and support #a1ajj1jjj jobs2 ,whereas #ib percent of people in the ,united ,states agree that public park and recreation facilities and activities are important government services1 displaying a base of support that spans across all people in the ,united ,states1 regardless of race1 income1 gender1 or political party affiliation2 ,whereas #gg percent of people in the ,united ,states agree that ensuring all members of a community have equitable access to public park and recreation facilities and activities is important2 ,whereas the most economically sound communities are those with ample and healthy public park and recreation facilities and activities2 ,whereas a key factor in business expansion and location is the quality of life for employees1 with a premium placed on adequate and accessible public parks and open spaces2 ,whereas people who use public parks and open spaces are #c times more likely to achieve the recommended levels of physical activity than nonusers2 ,whereas public park and recreation facilities and activities foster a variety of activities that contribute to a healthier ,united ,states1 including-- 7#a7 providing injured veterans of the ,armed ,forces and individuals with physical disabilities opportunities for physical activity2 7#b7 encouraging communities to promote outdoor activities to prevent and manage symptoms related to chronic diseases2 7#c7 working with local school systems to develop science-based curricula to educate children on nutrition and activity2 7#d7 connecting children with nature2 and 7#e7 combating obesity among youth2 ,whereas many parks provide green infrastructure that reduces the heat island effect in urban areas and reduces storm water impacts by as much as #ij percent2 ,whereas #hd percent of park agencies invest in sustainability activities and practices for the benefit of the environment2 ,whereas people living within a #aj-minute walk of a park have higher levels of physical activity and lower rates of obesity2 ,whereas the positive impact of outdoor play on the brain of a child has been well documented2 ,whereas1 of the people in the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 #gj percent go to local parks2 7#b7 #hc percent personally benefit from local parks2 and 7#c7 #ib percent say that communities benefit from local parks2 ,whereas community recreation programs at public park and recreation facilities provide children with-- 7#a7 a safe place to play2 7#b7 access to healthy foods2 7#c7 opportunities to be physically active2 7#d7 opportunities for social and emotional learning2 and 7#e7 academic enrichment activities that greatly assist working families with childcare service and help reduce at-risk behavior among youth1 such as substance use and gang involvement2 ,whereas nutrition education provided at public park and recreation facilities results in a #bj-percent increase in fruit and vegetable knowledge among youth2 ,whereas local parks serve as important transportation hubs for communities1 providing access to pathways for walking1 running1 and biking2 ,whereas #gc percent of adults believe parks1 trails1 and open spaces are an essential part of the healthcare system2 ,whereas residents in low-income areas with more tree canopy and street level vegetation had a #cg-percent reduced risk of depression2 and ,whereas public park and recreation facilities and activities reduce fuel costs and commute times by providing a place close to home to relax1 exercise1 and reduce stress3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 recognizes the great societal value of public park and recreation facilities and activities and the importance of those facilities and activities in communities across the ,united ,states2 7#b7 recognizes and honors the vital contributions of employees and volunteers for public park and recreation facilities and activities2 and 7#c7 designates the month of ,july #bjah as ,park and ,recreation ,month4