ACR 130, as introduced, Rendon. Parks Make Life Better! Month.
This measure would declare the Legislature’s recognition of the importance of access to local parks, trails, open space, and facilities for the health and development of all Californians. This measure would also declare the month of July 2014 as “Parks Make Life Better!” Month.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, A 2009 public opinion research study, conducted
2by the California Park and Recreation Society, revealed that 98
3percent of California’s households visit a local park and 50 percent
4of California households participate in an organized recreation
5program annually; and
6WHEREAS, California’s residents value their local parks and
7recreation services, as they provide access to the serenity and
8inspiration of nature, outdoor spaces, and places for play and
9exercise; facilities for directed and self-directed recreation;
10activities that facilitate social connections, human development,
11the arts, and lifelong learning; and positive alternatives for youth
12that help lower crime and mischief; and
13WHEREAS, The 2010 California Obesity Prevention Plan states
14the following:
P2 1(a) One in every nine California children, one in three teens,
2and over 50 percent of adults are already overweight or obese, and
3obesity affects virtually all age, income, educational, ethnic, and
4disability groups.
5(b) Research has shown that where people live, work, and play
6impacts obesity. For example, in Imperial County, 73 percent of
7adults are overweight or obese, while only 43 percent of San
8Francisco City and County adults are overweight or obese.
9(c) California’s costs attributable to physical inactivity, obesity,
10and excess body weight in 2006 were estimated at forty-one billion
11two hundred million dollars
($41,200,000,000). In contrast, a
125-percent improvement in each of these risk factors could result
13in an annual savings of nearly two billion four hundred million
14dollars ($2,400,000,000).
15(d) To address obesity, the state must ensure that all California
16residents have access to safe places to play and be active; and
17WHEREAS, California’s 10 Step Vision for a Healthy California
18is a call to action to transform the state so that all Californians can
19enjoy healthy eating and active living, resulting in all of the
20following:
21(a) Every day, every child will participate in physical activity.
22(b) California’s adults will be physically active every day.
23(c) Neighborhoods, communities, and buildings will support
24physical activity, including safe walking, stair climbing, and
25bicycling; and
26WHEREAS, The Governor, Legislature, and citizens have
27prioritized efforts to increase physical activity, access to nature,
28spaces for play and exercise, the arts, lifelong learning, and social
29connections among children and adults through the approval of
30statewide park bond programs; and
31WHEREAS, The California Park & Recreation Society promotes
32the positive personal and community benefits of parks, open space,
33trails, recreation facilities and programs, nature education, and
34sports for able and disabled children, teens, adults, and seniors;
35and
36WHEREAS, Participation in physical activities can lower a
37citizen’s risk of developing chronic health problems, such as high
38blood pressure, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes, and also help
39children grow up to be healthier adults; and
P3 1WHEREAS, The California Park & Recreation Society has
2released a statewide public awareness campaign, “Parks Make
3Life Better!” to inform citizens of the many benefits of utilizing
4parks, facilities, programs, and services; now, therefore, be it
5Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
6thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the importance
7of access to local parks, trails, open space, and facilities such as
8swimming pools, skate parks, dog parks, tennis courts, nature
9centers, and museums, for the health and development of all
10Californians; and be it further
11Resolved, That the Legislature declares the month of July 2014
12as “Parks Make Life Better!” Month; and be it further
13Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
14of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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