[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REINTRODUCTION OF THE REVITALIZING CITIES THROUGH PARKS ENHANCEMENT 
                              (RECIPE) ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I strongly believe that open spaces and 
community parks are a critical part of urban infrastructure. That's why 
today I am reintroducing the Revitalizing Cities Through Parks 
Enhancement (RECIPE) Act, that would establish a $10 million grant 
program for qualified, non-profit, community groups, allowing them to 
lease municipally owned vacant lots and transform these areas into 
parks. Parks and gardens created with the grants will not only provide 
safe places to gather, but will increase property values as well. The 
grants will be available from the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development to groups who have met standards of financial security, and 
who have histories of serving their communities. To further ensure that 
these grants are used to make lasting positive changes, land improved 
and made into open community space under this legislation must be 
available for use as open space from the local government for at least 
seven years.

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