How Crowdfunding Can Help Revitalize Urban Parks
Few Americans associate our beloved national parks with cities. In fact, urban areas are home to some of our greatest national treasures. Parks such as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, and the Statue of Liberty in New York City are windows to our past, homes to some of our rarest plants and animal species, and places where every American can go to find inspiration, peace, and open space.
With 85% of Americans residing in urban areas by the year 2030, it is even more important to support our national parks in urban areas. These parks are unique in their own right, as well as serving as gateways to our larger iconic national parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone. Soon enough urban national parks will provide many Americans with their first or only national park experience. However, at present the unique role of urban parks in the national park system is largely undervalued, and so we must protect and enhance these important places for them to inspire the next generation of national park stewards.
These projects are micro-funded by people just like you, rallying friends and neighbors to become stewards for our urban national parks. Find a project near you, or in one of your favorite urban national parks, and become a micro-funding leader!
What You Can Do
- Learn about the national park projects in Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Miami that need support on ioby's website
- Read our recent blog story on crowdfunding, a tradition that dates back to the 1800s and a plea to bring the Statue of Liberty to New York City!
- Learn more about why urban national parks are so important as community gathering places, economic engines, and needed green spaces
