SENATE DESIGNATES MAY 18 AS 'KIDS TO PARKS DAY'
Hyde-Smith & Wyden Lead Resolution Designating Day to Promote Outdoor Recreation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate this week approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to promote healthy outdoor recreation by designating May 18, 2024, as National Kids to Parks Day and to encourage young people and their families to get outdoors.
The bipartisan Kids to Parks Resolution (S.Res.686) was approved by unanimous consent in advance of the 14th annual National Kids to Parks Day, which kicks off a summer-long series of events at local, state, and national parks. The National Park Trust launched the program in 2011.
“There are so many benefits associated with children spending time outdoors,” Hyde-Smith said. “Kids to Parks Day gives us a chance to highlight that fact and to encourage parents, educators, and our youth to get out and enjoy parks and natural spaces. There are plenty of these in my beautiful state, Mississippi.”
“At the heart of Oregon are its natural treasures that have long been explored and enjoyed by families in our state,” Wyden said. “National Kids to Parks Day is an annual tradition for Oregon families, and our bipartisan resolution honors this generational connection of young people enjoying the great outdoors and preserving open spaces.”
The Wyden and Hyde-Smith measure was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Angus King (I-Maine).
“Since the National Park Trust established Kids to Parks Day 14 years ago, our goal has been to encourage families nationwide to discover the many benefits of our country’s parks, public lands, and waters,” said Grace Lee, National Park Trust executive director. “We thank our Senate champions who have co-sponsored this resolution, including Senators Ron Wyden, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Angus King, Susan Collins, Steve Daines, Martin Heinrich, and Mazie Hirono for their help in amplifying this important message through this Senate resolution,”
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