Parks And Recreation Grants Available To Local Communities

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is now accepting applications for Local Parks and Recreation Fund grants to help communities create and expand parks and recreation services.  The department is contacting local communities about the grant availability, and will host a series of workshops throughout the state on Monday, Feb. 13 to help communities understand the application process.  The application deadline is June 29, 2012.

“Gov. Haslam proposed and the General Assembly approved restoring the funds for this program to help local communities purchase lands for parks, natural areas, greenways and recreational facilities,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau.  “These grants are specifically designed to help local communities improve their green spaces and we are pleased to provide this funding for the benefit of Tennessee’s citizens.”

Local Parks and Recreation Fund grants may also be used for trail development and capital projects in parks, natural areas and greenways.  LPRF grants require a 50 percent match, with a maximum possible award of $250,000.  By statute, at least 60 percent of the funds allocated for these grants will be awarded to municipal governments.

The department’s Division of Recreation Educational Services will host three workshops on Monday, Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon (local times apply) at the following locations:

• Environment and Conservation’s Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive, Jackson, Tenn., 38305

• Environment and Conservation’s Downtown Nashville Central Office, 401 Church Street, L&C Tower, 17th Floor, Nashville, Tenn., 37243

• Environment and Conservation’s Knoxville Environmental Field Office, 3711 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, Tenn., 37921

Each county government and incorporated municipality is allowed to submit one grant application per cycle.  Cities and counties may apply jointly for one project in addition to applying for one city or county project.  Governments with open LPRF projects from a previous year are not eligible to reapply until the open project is completed.  The workshop series is designed to help local government officials and parks and recreation departments understand the application process for the 2012 grant cycle (attendance by grant applicants is recommended but not mandatory).

Grant recipients are expected to be announced this summer.  The application deadline for the 2011-2012 Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant cycle is June 29, 2012, at 4 p.m. (CST).
 
For more information about the upcoming application workshop or to register, contact Carol Thompson at (615) 532-0208 or at carol.h.thompson@tn.gov; or contact Recreation Educational Services at (615) 532-0748 or tdec.res@tn.gov. For more information about the application requirements for LPRF grants, or about other parks and recreation grants administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation, please visit the website at www.tn.gov/environment/recreation/grants.shtml.