Imagine a backyard big enough to embrace an entire country. Large or small, parks connect us. Our parks and recreation areas are America’s Backyard. 

Yet while a record number of visitors are using parks, they are now being hit by cuts and closures unmatched since the 1920s.

We all use parks in so many ways. They are your greenspace, your hiking and biking trail, your ball field, your natural area, your garden, your swimming pool, your fishing pond, your campsite, your beach at sunset, your playground, your dance class, your concert, your festival, your favorite statue, your connection to the past…

Parks and recreational play are important in the lives of every American.

Many people believe that taxes alone support parks, but they are only part of the picture. The truth is: thriving parks greatly depend on the advocacy work, partnerships and resources made possible by individuals, local businesses, and organizations in communities.

-- It is estimated that there are 105,000 state and local parks in the U.S.

-- State and local parks receive annual visits in the billions.

-- Public parks and recreation provide jobs for roughly 160,000 people, and connect thousands of others through volunteerism and training.

-- America’s state park system contributes $20 billion to local economies, annually.

Parks and recreation make it possible for children and adults to get healthy and connect to the outdoors. They conserve natural resources and preserve wildlife and plant habitats. They support local economies, create jobs, and raise property values. They provide safe and constructive activities for youth, and decrease crime in the process.

Pledge to support your local parks so we can preserve America's Backyard -- make it yours!