Outdoors For All: A Vital Investment in Community Equity for Stamford and the State
Mill River Park CEO and AMC Policy Specialist Advocate for Increased Parks Access
Connecticut’s population of urban residents is growing, and these communities should have access to high-quality outdoor recreation in their neighborhoods. As Congress returns for its final session of the year, it has an opportunity to create a permanent legacy to increase access to close-to-home outdoor experiences by passing the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act.
This critical legislation would codify a lifeline for underserved communities seeking to develop and improve local parks: the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program, a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) subprogram.
Local parks are the lifeblood of communities. They provide places for residents to exercise, connect, and find peace. The ORLP program is an investment in whole communities; it is an investment in the mental and physical well-being of residents, community resilience, and climate adaptation in urban areas hardest hit by environmental challenges.
Many places in Connecticut have benefited tremendously from ORLP; funding park improvements in Bridgeport, Bristol, and multiple projects in Stamford. In 2024, Stamford was awarded $5 million from the LWCF-funded ORLP program to expand facilities and upgrade existing infrastructure at Cummings Park and West Beach, including adding cooling features, parking, and fields for recreational sports. But Connecticut’s communities need ongoing investment in high-quality local parks.
What makes this national program so impactful? ORLP supports park investment in places that may not otherwise have access to the resources to expand and improve their local parks. Many of Connecticut’s towns and communities are struggling to expand outdoor recreation access with small budgets and limited resources, but federal programs like ORLP can fill that gap.
It is well-documented that upgrading access to outdoor resources has a significant impact on the health and well-being of our communities. Places that often struggle to build new parks are often exactly where the investment is most needed. Close-to-home, quality parks improve health outcomes for those who live nearby, they provide common places for people of many backgrounds to have meaningful interactions, and they can even improve citizens’ opinion of local government. At this moment in time, it is hard to look around and argue that these benefits are not in high demand here in Connecticut.
This fall’s historic $254 million ORLP funding announcement, the largest in the program’s history, demonstrates just how essential this program is, benefiting 54 park projects across 24 states. This substantial commitment helps ensure that every community—regardless of income or location—has access to the benefits of nearby green spaces. The most recent round of ORLP grants received an unprecedented number of applications and awardees, underlining the immense demand for sustained and increased funding to meet nationwide needs.
So how do we get more parks like these? Passing the EXPLORE Act is the answer. This legislation, which includes the Outdoors for All Act, would provide long-term support for ORLP, making it easier for Tribes, economically disadvantaged municipalities, and smaller communities to access the funding necessary to create and enhance outdoor spaces.
The EXPLORE Act would transform today’s historic ORLP investment into a lasting legacy, empowering more communities and Tribes to create the parks they need and deserve for future generations.
Our representatives in Connecticut have heard the call to action that now is a pivotal moment for equity in the outdoors, and we are grateful for Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and Representative Himes co-sponsoring the Outdoors For All Act.
The EXPLORE Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives this summer and is now pending in the Senate. By acting now, Congress can capitalize on the momentum generated by recent investments in outdoor recreation and ensure that every community, regardless of zip code, has the chance to experience the health, joy, and unity that come with access to nature.
We urge Congress to act swiftly to pass the EXPLORE Act before the year ends. This is their opportunity to turn this year’s outstanding ORLP investment into a lasting commitment to equity and access for underserved communities across the country. Let’s not waste this chance to guarantee that everyone, everywhere, can enjoy the benefits of local parks.
Nette Compton is the President & CEO of Mill River Park Collaborative, a world-class urban park in the heart of Stamford, CT.
Rae Ettenger is the New England Conservation Policy Specialist for the Appalachian Mountain Club, a people-centric conservation organization that advocates for the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors.
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