Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Action
Local Park Grant Funding for Projects Listed in the General Appropriations Act, TPWD Rider 34 (80th Texas Legislature, 2007)
January 22, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Appropriated funds approved by the 80th Texas Legislature for Local Park Grants included funds in the amount of $16,685,000 for matching funds to designated projects and sponsors.

II. Discussion: The Texas Recreation and Parks Account Program (TRPA) was authorized in 1993 to assist local political subdivisions of the state in providing basic public recreation facilities. TRPA revenue is generated from a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods. The Fiscal Year 2008-2009 General Appropriations Act approved for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, contains an appropriation rider that reads as follows:

"Local Park Grants. Out of funds appropriated above in Strategy B.2.1, Local Park Grants, the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) shall allocate up to $16,685,000 in matching funds for the following grants."

The list of 18 projects includes:

$750,000 in matching funds for Will Looney Park (Edinburg)
$300,000 in matching funds for Armand Bayou Nature Center Discovery Loop (Harris County).
$60,000 in matching funds for Kleberg County Youth Soccer Complex (Kleberg County)

These entities have submitted the required application materials to receive consideration to receive the specified portion of the appropriation. A summary of the projects is attached in Exhibit A. These projects are a mandated expenditure by the Texas Legislature and does not require competition with other grants.

III. Recommendation: Staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"Funding for the special appropriations rider projects as listed in Exhibit A is approved."

Attachments - 1

  1. Exhibit A - Project Summary

Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit A

Project Summaries

Sponsor City of Edinburg
Location Edinburg, Hidalgo County
Project Name Will Looney Legacy Park
Requested Funding $750,000.00
Proposed Elements The City of Edinburg will develop 15 acre Will Looney Legacy Park leased from the Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg for 99 years located on Rogers Road at US 281 in the north area of the city. Project elements include playground, sheltered picnic units, trail, basketball courts, soccer fields, and baseball fields.
Match Source Cash donation from the Edinburg Boys and Girls Club.
Sponsor Harris County
Location Pasadena, Harris County
Project Name Armand Bayou Nature Center Environmental Education Center Development Project
Requested Funding $300,000
Proposed Elements Harris County requests support to make improvements to the Armand Bayou Nature Center, located near Clear Lake. Proposal includes a 4,200 square foot, LEED certified environmental education center comprised of a great room exhibit area/meeting space, two classrooms, one environmental education library/resource area, visitor’s entrance, outdoor covered walkway, and separate restroom facilities.
Match Source Private donations

Sponsor Kleberg County
Location Kingsville, Kleberg County
Project Name Dick Kleberg Park Soccer Improvements
Requesting Funding $60,000.00
Proposed Elements Kleberg County will further develop 184 acre Dick Kleberg Park located off US 77 at Escondido Road on the south side of the City of Kingsville. Project elements include restroom, concession stand renovation, bleachers, awnings, and perimeter fence around the soccer complex.
Match Source County cash, labor and equipment, cash donation from the Brookshire Foundation, and a cash donation from the Kingsville Youth Soccer Organization.