Local Officials From Around U.S. Urge Congressional Action to Fix National Parks

Note: This article was updated on Oct. 23 and 31 to correct the number of officials who signed the letter.

More than 400 elected officials from across the country are urging congressional leaders to take action on legislation that calls for investing as much as $6.5 billion over five years to address overdue repairs and upgrades—known as deferred maintenance—at national parks across the country.

From the East Coast to the West Coast, mayors and other local officials signed a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to move Restore Our Parks legislation (S. 500 and H.R. 1225, respectively) forward.

Addressing priority deferred maintenance will make America’s national parks safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for visitors and help ensure a continued economic benefit to nearby communities that depend on park-related spending.