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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING JULY 2021 AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
WHEREAS, July has been nationally recognized as Parks and Recreation month since 1985 to highlight the importance green spaces play a vital role in conservation, wellness and social equity efforts in communities; and
WHEREAS, green spaces and recreation areas are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in our communities, ensuring the mental well-being and health of all residents, and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and the region; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County was established in 1914 with the purpose to protect, restore, restock and preserve the natural forest and such lands together with their flora and fauna, as nearly as may be, in their natural state and condition, to provide education, pleasure, and recreation of the public; and
WHEREAS, the preserves are critical in protecting the biodiversity of and ecosystems in some of Illinois’ largest green spaces through their conservation and restoration efforts; the Forest Preserves of Cook County protects over 900 endangered species across the state; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County is one of the largest and oldest forest preserve districts in the United States (U.S) with twenty-seven (27) Illinois Nature Preserves, five (5) Illinois Land and Water Reserves and 70,000 acres which provide a wide and diverse range of green space that include but not limited to trails, woodlands, savannas, prairies, wetlands and groves; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserve of Cook County offers a variety of free or affordable outdoor recreational and environmental education opportunities that build on the Forest Preserves’ long history of conservation and education which include hiking, biking, camping, zip lining, and bird watching; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County serves over five (5) million diverse residents across the Chicagoland area and local municipalities with an estimated sixty-two (62) million visits a year and surging interest in the last year a half; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County has served as a valuable resource to Cook County residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic as it provides opportunities for residents to escape and explore nature areas which provide a positive impact on their emotional, physical, and social wellbeing; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize July 2021 as “Parks and Recreation Month” in Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the proceedings of this Honorable Body.
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