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To declare July as National Park and Recreation Month and celebrate Columbus Recreation and Parks Department for its role in improving the quality of life for residents in the City of Columbus.
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WHEREAS, this Council honors Columbus Recreation and Parks Department for its role in improving the quality of life for residents in the City of Columbus and recognizes July as National Park and Recreation Month; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation are an integral part of communities throughout this country, including Columbus, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation connect our community through the power of nature, wellness and creativity to improve the physical and mental health of residents and improve the quality of life in our City; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreational programs and activities, such as after-school and summer programming, youth sports and environmental education, aid in children’s educational, social and emotional development; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation play a vital role in protecting, preserving and growing our natural environment through the Urban Forestry Master Plan, nature preserves, invasive species removal, and environmental education and volunteerism efforts; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation encourage physical activities by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swimming and physical fitness, as well as activities designed to promote active lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation build a sense of community by offering spaces for residents to connect with others, and community events that celebrate the culture and history of our City and its residents; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation reduce violence by offering positive recreational activities for youth and young adults, and resources to support families such as free food resources, violence prevention services and job readiness programs; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation increase a community’s economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses and crime reduction;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: that we recognize July as Park and Recreation Month and we honor Columbus Recreation and Parks Department for its role in making Columbus one of the best places to live and work.