The U.S. Senate approved a bipartisan bill Friday co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins to fund parks and outdoor trails in urban and low-income areas.
The Outdoors for All Act, which passed unanimously, will help provide outdoor recreational opportunities for people in the country’s largest cities by funding the creation and expansion of existing parks, open spaces, trails and playgrounds. Those spaces, according to a release, also help provide shade, tree cover and cleaner air.
“Our state is fortunate to have abundant natural resources that allow Mainers and visitors to enjoy our pristine environment,” Collins said in a written statement. “However, many Americans, particularly those living in urban and low-income areas, lack access to outdoor green spaces that give them the ability to experience the beauty of nature close to home. The bipartisan Outdoors for All Act will invest in these communities to support parks, playgrounds, trails, and other projects to …