Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Action
Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant Funding
August 27, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are made available to Texas local governments that exceed 500,000 in population for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites. The 80th Legislature, Regular Session (2007), created the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Parks Account) by amending Chapter 24 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, adding sections 24.051 through 24.062. As of February 28, 2009, TPWD received two eligible applications requesting $1,150,000 in matching fund assistance. The initial deadline did not provide a sufficient number of applications for the available funds. Therefore, a Special Call for applications was made and as of June 1, 2009 TPWD received four additional eligible applications requesting $2,650,000 in matching fund assistance. Staff is recommending support of six projects in the amount of $3,800,000.

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 80th Legislature, Regular Session, created the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Parks Account) by amending Chapter 24 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, adding sections 24.051 through 24.062. Large counties and municipalities are defined as city and county governments having populations of 500,000 or more as of the last federal census. Eligible participants include:

Funds available include $3,800,000 from Fiscal Year 2009 Urban Park Account revenue. This review includes applications from eight sponsors requesting $3,800,000 in matching funds for all applications submitted. Based on site visits and analyses, the projects have been ranked in descending order of priority. Exhibit A contains the priority listing with funds requested by the sponsors and funds recommended by staff.

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

"Funding for six projects listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $3,800,000 is approved."

Attachments - 1

  1. Exhibit A - Priority Listing

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit A

Urban Outdoor Grant Program Priority Listing
August 27, 2009
(Descending Order of Priority)
(*Resubmitted Project)

# Score Sponsor Authority Project Name Total Project Total Grant Grant Request Recommended Cumulative
1 50 Travis County Onion Creek Greenway $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $ 1,000,000 $1,000,000
2 40 Dallas College Park and 5 Mile Creek $2,800,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $ 1,000,000 $2,000,000
3 37 El Paso Sandstone Ranch Park $ 800,000 $ 800,000 $ 400,000 $ 400,000 $2,400,000
4 32 Bexar County Mission County Park II $2,250,000 $1,500,000 $ 750,000 $ 750,000 $3,150,000
5 21 El Paso Dog Park at Westside Park $ 300,000 $ 300,000 $ 150,000 $ 150,000 $3,300,000
6 20 Austin Gustavo (Gus) Garcia Park $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $ 500,000 $ 500,000 $3,800,000
Totals $9,150,000 $7,600,000 $3,800,000 $ 3,800,000