Sierra Club Applauds Major DOI Investment in Urban Parks

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Sierra Club is pleased with the National Park Service’s investment of $61 million in critical urban parks and green space projects in 26 cities across the country. The grants were awarded through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program. $61 million is the most funding ever awarded through the ORLP program. The projects supported include the construction of new parks, the rehabilitation of riverfronts, and the construction of downtown greenways and multi-use trails.

Created in 2014, ORLP supports urban parks and green space projects in historically marginalized communities. The Biden Administration greatly expanded the program, boosting its funding from less than $20 million to $150 million in 2021 as part of their America the Beautiful Initiative.

In response, Jackie Ostfeld, Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign director, released the following statement:

“This announcement is the biggest indication yet that the Biden Administration takes nature equity seriously. This funding will transform brownfields into ballfields, and abandoned places into green spaces across the country, allowing dozens of communities the opportunity to make direct connections with nature for the first time. As we face a looming national mental health crisis, the mental and physical health benefits these new natural spaces will offer is sorely needed. These investments will help ensure that our communities can thrive and build up the critical green infrastructure we need to take on the climate crisis.”