Fort Worth alone has received more than $3 million, including $805,000 to combine with state and local money for trails, sports fields and a fishing pier at Gateway Park.

But grants will end if Congress does not reauthorize the conservation fund, set to expire Sept. 30.

It’s not as if this is an enormous pot of money. The $900 million annual budget comes from offshore gas leases, and the Park Service leverages state, local and private matching grants to spread that money around.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock are providing bipartisan leadership for a “Mayors for Parks” committee delivering this message to Congress on behalf of the City Parks Alliance.

Opponents criticize the federal government for buying and owning too much land. But this fund mainly benefits states and cities. It’s a fair way to devote mineral wealth.

Congress should listen to the mayors