Proclamation
WHEREAS, Parks and Recreation makes lives and communities better now and in the future; and WHEREAS, it is established through statewide public opinion research, 98% of California households visit a local park at least once a year; two in three households visit a park once a month; 50% of households participate in an organized recreation program; and most park use is with family and friends; and WHEREAS, residents value recreation as it provides positive alternatives for children and youth to reduce crime and mischief especially during non-school hours; it promotes the arts, it increases social connections; aids in therapy; and promotes lifelong learning; and WHEREAS, residents value their parks for access to outdoor spaces for children and adults to play and be active; exercise and group sports; and WHEREAS, parks provide access to the serenity and the inspiration of nature and outdoor spaces as well as preserve and protect the historic, natural and cultural resources in our community; and WHEREAS, the residents of the City of Merced including children, youth, families, adults, seniors, businesses, community organizations, and visitors benefit from the wide range of parks, trails, open space, sports fields, tennis courts, facilities and programs including Movies in the Park, our splash parks, our expanded aquatics program provided by the Parks and Recreation Department; and WHEREAS, the City of Merced urges all its residents to recognize that parks and recreation enriches the lives of its residents and visitors as well as adding value to the community’s homes and neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, July is celebrated across the nation as Parks and Recreation Month, NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATTHEW SERRATTO, Mayor of the City of Merced, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim July 2022 as Parks Make Life Better! Month.
Signed this 5th day of July, 2022.
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Matthew Serratto, Mayor of Merced