FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 December 2024
Contact: Kevin G. McGuire | 202-538-2386
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) celebrated the passage of her bill, the Outdoors for All Act, in the Senate, as part of the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The bill now heads to the President Biden’s desk for his signature.
The Outdoors for All Act, authored by Congresswoman Barragán and first introduced in the 116th Congress, codifies the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program in federal law and modernizes the program to include smaller cities, tribes, and to fully account for the benefits parks provide. The ORLP supports urban parks in underserved communities.
In the 118th Congress, the bipartisan bill was introduced with Congressman Michael Turner and Senators Alex Padilla and Susan Collins.
“I’m thrilled that the EXPLORE Act, which includes my Outdoors for All Act is on its way to the President’s desk,” said Rep. Barragán. “I’ve worked hard the last five years to get this done. The Outdoors for All Act ensures that millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities and communities of color, will have improved access to green spaces. Growing up in the Harbor Gateway, I had to take a bus to travel to a park for baseball practice – a reality for too many low-income families nationwide. By passing Outdoors for All, we are making a lasting commitment to fund urban parks and bring the benefits of green space to communities that need them most.”
“Families and visitors in the Miami Valley deserve to enjoy all the beautiful parks, trails, and recreational spaces that the Dayton region has to offer. With this legislation, we preserve access and increase the opportunity for additional federal investment in these green spaces,” said Congressman Turner. “I’m proud to see my bipartisan, bicameral ‘Outdoors for All Act’ included in the EXPLORE Act which will protect and enhance opportunities for residents to get outside and enjoy the incredible outdoor resources that make the Dayton region such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.”
“Everyone deserves access to the outdoors regardless of where they live. Having grown up in Los Angeles, I’ve seen firsthand how urban and low-income communities often lack access to adequate park space,” said Senator Padilla. “The Outdoors for All Act will invest in new parks and open spaces — and upgrade existing ones — to bring critical natural benefits like shade, tree cover, and cleaner air to urban neighborhoods.”
The ORLP program is important for California’s 44th District and Los Angeles County, where half of Los Angeles County’s population lives in neighborhoods without access to parks and open space, with the majority of high-need areas concentrated in low-income communities of color.
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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and is a Co-Chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.