Letter: Thankful to Houlahan for protection of local parks and open spaces

To The Editor,

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides funding for 98% of the Nation’s parks, from the most famous national parks like the Grand Canyon to our local parks, including Downingtown’s Struble Trail. I have been running and biking on the Struble Trail since I was a little kid, and thanks to the recent passing of the LWCF, I can be sure of continued and long lasting maintenance of the Struble Trail. During this tumultuous time, I feel especially grateful that I will have continued access to a space of happiness and comfort in nature.

In the past few decades, over $22 billion has been raided from the LWCF, leaving it underfunded and constantly under threat. With the passing of the Great American Outdoors Act, the LWCF is guaranteed permanent, full funding, which will ensure the protection of essential natural places.

I want to thank my congresswoman, Chrissy Houlahan, for voting for this act and being an environmental champion for Pennsylvania. I also want to thank the other legislators who voted to fully fund the LWCF.

This is such an important bi-partisan victory that secures necessary funding for the future of our parks and open spaces. Even in this time of extreme uncertainty and frequent environmental rollbacks, the passing of the LWCF gives me hope for the future.

Aislinn Devlin,

Downingtown