Advocacy

Issue Brief: Outdoors For All Act

THE ISSUE

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) believes that all persons should have equitable access to a healthy environment in which to live, work, and learn. To that end, ASLA encourages policies and practices that proactively recognize and equitably address the needs and concerns of underserved populations, including access to outdoor recreation spaces.

Background

Local and community parks and other outdoor recreation spaces contribute to the sustainability of the community and region through recreation, education, social interaction, psychological renewal, and connection with nature. Far too often, marginalized communities do not have adequate outdoor recreation space. This patterned exclusion within the built environment has harmful effects on households and the public and impacts physical and mental health, economic development, and community growth and cohesion.

Bill Summary

The Outdoors for All Act seeks to address the lack of adequate recreation space in underserved communities. Specifically, the bill will codify and establish a dedicated source of funding for the existing Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program of the National Park Service.

This program will help fund project expenses for new parks, the renovation of existing recreation facilities, and development of infrastructure supporting outdoor education and public land volunteerism. Priority will be given to projects that take place within underserved communities, empower the youth in these communities, and significantly enhance access to parks and recreational opportunities.

Landscape architects are well-suited to access funding through the Outdoors for All Act to plan and design community park projects that help bridge the gap in underserved communities nationwide.

Recent Action

On February 15, 2023, S. 448 was reintroduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

On February 17, 2023, H.R. 1065 was reintroduced and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

On April 9, 2024, H.R. 1065 passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of H.R. 6492, the EXPLORE Act.

On December 19, 2024, H.R. 1065 passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of H.R. 6492, the EXPLORE Act.

On January 4, 2025, H.R. 1065 was signed into law as part of H.R. 6492, the EXPLORE Act.

Sponsors

Senator Alex Padilla (CA), and cosponsors.

Representative Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA), and cosponsors.

Resources

EXPLORE Act Section by Section

ASLA Press Release: ON THE HEELS OF HOUSE PASSAGE, ASLA URGES THE SENATE TO PASS THE OUTDOORS FOR ALL ACT. April 10, 2024.

Landscape Architecture Solutions to Extreme Heat

Senator Alex Padilla (CA) Press Release: Padilla, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Outdoors for All Act to Fund Urban Parks Projects. February 15, 2023.

Senator Susan Collins (ME) Press Release: Collins, Padilla Introduce Bipartisan Outdoors for All Act to Fund Urban Parks Projects. February 16, 2023.

LWCF Past Projects Map

2021 Outdoor Recreation Economy Data Release

Bureau of Economic Analysis: Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, U.S. and States, 2021

CDC on Parks, Recreation and Green Spaces

Park Score Index

Parks and Recreation is Essential, National Recreation and Parks Association

Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool

Trust for Public Land: The Power of Parks to Address Climate Change

Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation: Los Angeles Countywide Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment

Equity in Parks and Recreation: A Historical Perspective

Racial Disparities in Access to Public Green Space

Economics of Park Access

Five Ways to Center Equity in Park and Recreation Spending

Urban Green Space Accessibility

Outdoors Alliance for Kids

City Parks Alliance

Roxanne Blackwell,
Esq., Hon. ASLA,
Director of Federal
Government Affairs
governmentaffairs@asla.org

Elizabeth Hebron,
Director of State
Government Affairs
governmentaffairs@asla.org

Advocacy

Issue Brief: Outdoors For All Act

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