Texas Recreation & Park Society

Committee, provides a strong presence promoting the legislative agenda of parks and recreation during sessions of the Texas Legislature.

Accomplishments have included:
• Passage of Bond Initiatives authorizing repairs/ renovations for state parks
• Restoration of the Texas Recreation & Parks Account and the removal of previous "cap"
• Creation of Large County & Municipal Recreation & Parks Account
• Bicycle helmet safety

Ever-ready, this committee has an immediate response system via telephone, facsimile and e-mail networks to quickly inform you about and respond to issues that affect your profession. This committee and its network are known as Tier One.

As a benefit of our affiliation with NRPA, Society members are kept up-to-date on emerging issues in national politics as well. The NRPA staff includes full-time legislative awareness personnel charged with keeping current on national policy and local issues that can influence the future of parks and recreation services and programming.

The Texas Recreation and Park Society supports the following positions:

Recommendations of the State Park Advisory Board Report including:
• $25 million in annual appropriations for the Texas Recreation & Parks Account
• Increased funding for the State Park operations, maintenance, acquisition and capital improvements to meet current and future needs.


Ensure that no legislative appropriation riders set aside TRPA money for specific projects or locales.
• All TRPA fund awards should be subject to established competitive grant process.

Click here for more information regarding TRAPS support for increased sporting goods sales tax appropriations for local and state parks.

Economic Impact Study - Sunshine, Soccer and Success, completed by The Perryman Group, is now available on the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation's (TPRF) website, www.tprfoundation.org. The findings from this study are available for your review.

Also available is the Economic Engine of Parks and Recreation - Making Texas Green report which promotes the "value of parks and recreation on the basis of the aesthetics, health, and cultural values they bring to Texas."

Tier One, with the authorization of the TRAPS Board of Directors, represents the Society in addressing legislative issues, policies and procedures relating to the parks and recreation movement by:

Keeping abreast of both federal and state legislation

Working with advocates from other professions, associations, or interest groups to assist in the committee work on legislative issues

Personally contacting local legislators and supporters

Drafting resolutions for local councils and commissions to adopt in support of TRAPS legislative agendas and positions.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Tier One network or serving on the TRAPS Legislative Committee, please contact Brad Griggs or the TRAPS Office.