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Parks and Recreation
ASLA champions strong stewardship of National Parks and public lands, while also supporting local parks and recreational facilities that serve communities every day. From iconic national landscapes to neighborhood parks, trails, and open spaces, these outdoor environments make it easier for people to be active, connect with nature, and improve their overall well-being. ASLA advocates for investments that protect and enhance public lands and local recreational spaces, ensuring they continue to inspire movement, health, and enjoyment for all.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
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ASLA supports the permanent authorization of and full dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Permanent authorization was achieved through the passage of S. 47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, into law on March 12, 2019. ASLA has achieved full and dedicated funding through the Great American Outdoors Act, signed into law on August 4, 2020.
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Since its creation in 1964, LWCF has been one of the most popular and bipartisan conservation programs that Congress has ever created. LWCF is utilized to preserve, protect, and provide access to America’s public lands, wildernesses, scenic areas, forests, and natural resources. Additionally, through its State and Local Assistance Program, LWCF is the only federal program that funds the design and construction of community parks.
LWCF is funded through the royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf. This funding mechanism is simple yet unique: use the revenues from the extraction of one natural resource to support the conservation of another. While LWCF is authorized to receive up to $900 million per year, Congress repeatedly diverts funds to other purposes. Rarely has LWCF been appropriated at even half the yearly amount allowed under law and full funding has only been met twice in over 50 years.
LWCF has broad support from a host of organizations that ASLA has joined with to form the LWCF Coalition, including the Trust for Public Land (TPL), National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), The Wilderness Society, the Pew Charitable Trusts (PEW), and the Land Trust Alliance. This coalition was successful in permanently authorizing LWCF so it would never expire again, as it had in September 30, 2018, and is now fighting for dedicated funding for LWCF. -
To guarantee dedicated and full funding for LWCF, bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate (S. 1081) and House of Representatives (H.R. 3195). This legislation would ensure that LWCF receives the $900 million annually it is promised by law.
Over LWCF’s 50-plus year existence, nearly $22 billion allocated for the program has been diverted from its intended purpose. This legislation would prevent this and fund conservation efforts on the local, state, and federal levels for generations to come. -
On August 4, 2020, LWCF achieved permanent full funding as part of the Great American Outdoors Act.
On June 19, 2019, the House Committee on Natural Resources reported H.R. 3195 out of committee 21-13.
On November 19, 2019, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reported S. 1081 out of committee 13-7. -
Representative Jeff Van Drew (NJ) and cosponsors.
Senators Joe Manchin (WV) and Cory Gardner (CO) and cosponsors. -
NPS LWCF Home
LWCF Coalition
LWCF Past Projects Map
2021 Outdoor Recreation Economy Data Release
Bureau of Economic Analysis: Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, U.S. and States, 2021
10 Year LWCF Investments by Program
LWCF State Funding Status
City Parks Alliance LWCF Economic Impact Report
Outdoor Industry Association's Outdoor Recreation Economy Report
Help Protect LWCF!
America The Beautiful Act
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The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) believes that national parks and public lands are critical ecological reserves of biological diversity and serve as touchstones of our cultural and historical heritage. Management of the National Park System and its expansion are critical to the well-being of the nation. ASLA supports the reauthorization and strengthening of the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF). This legislation is vital to ensuring sustained investments in repairing and maintaining America’s public lands infrastructure.
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The National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, created under the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, has successfully directed critical funding toward overdue repairs and maintenance of vital infrastructure on federal public lands. These projects include improvements to roads, wastewater systems, trails, visitor centers, and employee housing. However, deferred maintenance across national parks and public lands has ballooned to over $40 billion, highlighting the need for continued and enhanced support. The America the Beautiful Act recognizes the growing maintenance needs and takes strategic action to address this crisis by increasing authorized funding, improving project planning, leveraging stakeholder contributions, and enhancing public awareness and transparency. The Act continues to support the federal-state partnership model while emphasizing sustainable asset management and public engagement.
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- Reauthorization and Increased Funding:
- Extends the LRF through 2033.
- Increases authorized funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion annually.
- Expanded Eligibility and Project Prioritization:
- Makes all land administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service eligible for funding.
- Prioritizes projects with at least a 15% financial match from stakeholders.
- Improved Planning and Implementation:
- Requires agencies to submit a rolling two-year project list.
- Authorizes continuation of project work under a Continuing Resolution.
- Enhanced Public Engagement:
- Mandates public awareness campaigns to promote private donations.
- Requires visible and accessible donation mechanisms, including at federal recreation pass points-of-sale.
- Asset Management and Reporting:
- Directs agencies to identify and dispose of unneeded constructed assets.
- Requires annual reports to Congress detailing progress on deferred maintenance reductions and plans for increasing routine maintenance.
- Reauthorization and Increased Funding:
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On May 1, 2025, Senators Steve Daines (MT) and Angus King (ME) introduced S. 1547, the America the Beautiful Act.
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Senators Steve Daines (MT) and Angus King (ME) and cosponsors.
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Senators Daines, King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan “America the Beautiful Act,” Press Release, May 1, 2025.
NPS Deferred Maintenance Backlog Reports
PEW National Park Deferred Maintenance Needs
NPS Yearly Budgets from 2002-2020
NPS Infrastructure News
NPS LWCF Home
Outdoor Industry Association's Outdoor Recreation Economy Report
Report Website
Story Map