First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Outside initiative is meant to inspire younger generations to play, learn, serve and observe the environment around them.
Mayor Joe Hogsett joined Senior Advisor to the Secretary, David Jayo, and Eric Ellsworth, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis to announce that Indianapolis has been selected as one of the 50 cities to participate in the nationwide movement, according to a press release.
The initiative, funded by a $5 million national commitment by the American Express Foundation, will provide two years of funding for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis to help coordinate efforts, facilitate collaboration, grow resources, and increase participation in outdoor programs on all public lands–from local parks to federal lands and waters.
“I am grateful that Indianapolis was chosen to partner with the U.S. Department of Interior to invest in our greatest asset, our young people,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Thanks to this program and organizations like the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation Department and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, we have yet another avenue to connect children with projects that will better their neighborhoods and encourage the next generation to spend time in the wonderful outdoor assets Indianapolis offers.”
“Many people in our urban neighborhoods don’t always have the chance to experience all that our public lands in and around the city have to offer,” said Ellsworth. “This initiative will help us bring together leaders in conservation, education, recreation and service to provide opportunities for children and families to have fun, deepen connections to the city’s natural and historic sites, develop important skills, and engage in activities where they can give back and strengthen our community.”
The remaining cities will be announced throughout 2016. For more information about the initiative, visit: http://www.doi.gov/youth.
This work is part an overall strategy by the Obama Administration to connect young people to the outdoors. Other efforts include the “Every Kid in A Park” program to provide all fourth grade students and their families with free admission to national parks and other public lands and waters for a full year, according to a press release.
These complement the National Park Service’s Find Your Park campaign preparing for this year’s centennial of the National Park System.
