Active between 1978 and 2002, the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) Program was established in November 1978 by Public Law 95-625 to provide matching grants and technical assistance to economically distressed urban communities. The program provided direct federal assistance to urban localities for rehabilitation of critically needed recreation facilities. The law encouraged systematic local planning and commitment to continuing operation and maintenance of recreation programs, sites, and facilities.  

In total, the UPARR program awarded nearly $272 million for 1,461 grants to 380 local jurisdictions in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The UPARR program has supported a range of locally-led efforts such as the rehabilitation of inner-city playgrounds, tot lots, recreation centers, parks, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and swimming pools, as well as the conversion of abandoned and surplus buildings into community centers. 

Recreation sites and facilities rehabilitated through the UPARR program remain protected in perpetuity for public recreation use under the provisions of Section 1010 of the UPARR Act.