WHEREAS parks and recreation services are an integral part of communities throughout this country, including Nevada, IA; and
WHEREAS parks and recreation promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks; and
WHEREAS parks and recreation promote time spent in nature, which positively impacts mental health by increasing cognitive performance and well-being, and alleviating illnesses such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and Alzheimer’s; and
WHEREAS parks and recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, walking trails, swimming pools and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles; and
WHEREAS parks and recreation programming and education activities, such as out-of-school time programming and youth sports, are critical to childhood development; and
WHEREAS parks and recreation increases 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; and
WHEREAS parks and recreation is essential and adaptable infrastructure that makes our communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change; and
WHEREAS our parks and natural recreation areas ensure the ecological beauty of our community and provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors; and
WHEREAS the U.S. House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month; and
WHEREAS the City of Nevada, Iowa, Story County, Iowa recognizes the benefits derived from parks and recreation resources.