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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 146
BY SENATOR BROOME
SENATE. Recognizes the importance of park and recreation facilities, expresses support
for the designation of July as "National Park and Recreation Month", and declares July as
"Park and Recreation Month in Louisiana".
A RESOLUTION1
To recognize the importance of park and recreation facilities, express support for the2
designation of July as "National Park and Recreation Month" and declare July as3
"Park and Recreation Month in Louisiana".4
WHEREAS, public parks and recreation systems are dedicated to enhancing the5
quality of life for residents in communities around the country through recreation6
programming, leisure activities, and conservation efforts; and7
WHEREAS, parks, recreation activities, and leisure experiences provide8
opportunities for young people to live, grow, and develop into contributing members of9
society; create lifelines and continuous life experience for older members of the community;10
generate opportunities for people to come together and experience a sense of community;11
and pay dividends to communities by attracting businesses, jobs, and increasing housing12
value; and13
WHEREAS, parks and recreation services play a vital role in creating active and14
healthy communities, and the majority of older adults who visit parks report moderate or15
high levels of physical activity during their visit and fifty percent of older adults who16
participated in light to moderate aerobic park activity report being in a better mood after17
visiting parks; and18 SR NO. 146
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WHEREAS, parks and recreation facilities foster a variety of activities that1
contribute to a healthier United States, such as introducing injured military veterans and2
those with physical disabilities to physical activity, mobilizing urban communities to use3
chronic disease prevention practices, working with local school systems to develop4
science-based curricula to educate children on nutrition and activity, connecting children5
with nature, and combating obesity in youth; and6
WHEREAS, the creation of places for physical activity, combined with information7
outreach, produced a 48.4 percent increase in the frequency of physical activity; and8
WHEREAS, more than seventy-five percent of United States citizens use park and9
recreation facilities to maintain fitness and to remain socially interactive, which are critical10
to maintaining community cohesion and pride; and11
WHEREAS, community recreation programs at park and recreation facilities provide12
children with a safe refuge and a place to play, which helps to reduce at-risk behavior such13
as drug use and gang involvement; and14
WHEREAS, sixty-nine percent of the United States population believes in local park15
and recreation services, which supports the idea that such parks and services should be16
funded by taxes and user fees; and17
WHEREAS, public parks and recreation facilities create enormous economic value18
through increased partnership, which improves the job base and the economic viability of19
the local economy, including business relocation and expansion in the community and20
increased tourism; and21
WHEREAS, parks and recreation facilities reduce fuel costs and commute times by22
providing a place close to home to relax, exercise, and reduce stress.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana24
recognizes the great societal value of parks and recreation facilities and their importance in25
local communities across the United States, recognizes and honors the vital contributions of26
employees and volunteers in park and recreation facilities, and supports the designation of27
July as "National Park and Recreation Month".28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana29
hereby declares the month of July as "Park and Recreation Month in Louisiana".30 SR NO. 146
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the1
executive director of the BREC Foundation.2
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Broome SR No. 146
Recognizes the importance of park and recreation facilities, expresses support for the
designation of the month of July as "National Park and Recreation Month", and declares July
as "Park and Recreation Month in Louisiana".