Stand With Your Local Parks: Park Advocacy and Why It Matters

When it comes to going to the parks, we can sometimes forget all the work that goes into making it such a great place to be. The upkeep from the grounds to the gardens, the education, safety, and quality of life held sacred to our incredible park professionals, and even some of the fun events that happen through each park’s team of staunch stewards. That’s quite a lot of work.

It’s been researched that around 93% of U.S. residents feel that park services have improved their mental health. With a number like that, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be giving back. And this comes in a lot of different ways. So get your giving spirit ready, stand tall, and let’s find out how we can work to advocate for our parks, both big and small, every chance we get!

Lend a Helping Hand: Volunteer

This is probably the first thing you think of when talking about park advocacy. And there’s a reason. There’s quite a lot of benefits to being a present helper within your local park. For one, there’s a mental and emotional impact. UnitedHealthcare found that 93% of U.S. adults saw an improved mood, 79% saw decreases in stress levels, and 88% felt a boost in self-esteem after volunteering (not to mention 75% felt physically healthier). Those are some pretty convincing numbers. 

The first step is finding the right program or park to volunteer. On a large scale, there’s the National Park Service’s Volunteer-In-Parks program. There, you can play a huge and direct part in caring for some of America’s most natural treasures. 

The PA DCNR features a resource page for a multitude of different volunteer options: from conservation efforts to forest work to “friends groups,” which are a more intimate, connective option. 

Want to get even more granular? Head over to your neighborhood or district’s conservancy or parks and rec websites. Take Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy or Fairmount Parks Conservancy, for example. You’ll find various ways to help out locally, and choose something that best fits your skills, whether it’s planting trees to caring for wildlife to cleaning up the parks.

Use Your Voice: Meet, Sign, Speak

Perhaps you’ve found you’re not too good at the physical bit, or maybe you’re unable to due to physical disabilities. That’s okay! You can still show up for your parks without even leaving the house or picking up a shovel. There are petitions, rallies, council or community meetings, and more that give you the chance to not only show that you care, but that you want your voice heard. 

The National Park Conservation Association has a webpage dedicated to all the petitions and donations you can make, from preserving history to bringing about new historical moments, like signing landmarks to be national monuments. That’s a pretty big deal. But what about on a local scale? 

If you’ve ever watched an episode of Parks and Rec, you’ve probably seen scenes of their community meetings with the citizens of Pawnee. But they’re not just fiction. You too can find out when your county holds meetings for the public and head out and have your voice heard. (Some are even through Zoom now!) Or you can sit back and just listen: Knowing the goings on in your local park is already advocating in a small way. 

Thank a Park Pro

And probably the simplest route to showing your passion for your local park is writing saying thank you to your park pros. Whether they’re working the office, out in the field, or recreation center employees, their service to the community is great, but often overlooked. 

80% of workers are motivated to work harder when they feel appreciated. So it’s really a win-win. Show some love and they’ll show extra love to the parks in return.

An even easier way to say thanks? Just showing your face! Make a plan to visit your local parks more, enjoy all they have to offer, increase foot traffic, and show you care.