Katrina, Rita and then Wilma. The Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005 ravaged Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Texas, leaving mass destruction in their wake. Parks and recreation facilities were not spared from this wrath. As communities continue to assess damage and face the challenges of reconstruction while also attempting to meet the ongoing needs of their communities, the park and recreation industry across the country has stepped forward to provide assistance.

Immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the National Recreation and Park Association announced a national fundraising campaign to assist communities affected by the storm. Directly thereafter, Sports Illustrated joined forces with NRPA to establish a special fundraising campaign dedicated to rebuilding community sports facilities in the Gulf Coast region. Since announcing both campaigns, NRPA has raised more than $70,000 to assist communities in rebuilding their parks and recreation facilities.

The NRPA Gulf Coast Park and Recreation Relief Fund will support a wide variety of park and recreation reconstruction efforts, while the Sports Illustration Gulf Coast Community Sports Relief Fund will focus on reconstruction of public sports facilities in the Gulf Coast region. To date, more than $70,000 has been raised between the two funds.

It’s not too late to contribute! Join your colleagues, concerned citizens, sports leagues, state park and recreation associations, school groups and many individual contributors who have already given to the NRPA Gulf Coast Park and Recreation Relief Fund or the Sports Illustrated Gulf Coast Community Sports Relief Fund.

NRPA’s Office of Public Policy has prepared a comprehensive report that will serve as a guidance document for affected local communities and park and recreation agencies seeking disaster relief funding from federal government and private sources after this fall’s series of hurricanes.

The document, "Information Resource Guide for Gulf Coast Communities Affected by the Hurricanes of 2005," is available in printed format by request (from NRPA Public Policy) and on the NRPA Web site. It offers specific information on federal, state and local assistance, as well as information on aid from foundations and other private sources. Representatives from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Governors Association have commented that this type of guidance is the first that they know of for communities and agencies in need.