Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Presenter:  Tim Hogsett

Action
Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant Funding
August 26, 2010

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, 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, 2010, TPWD received eight eligible applications requesting $5,458,126 in matching fund assistance.  Staff is recommending support of five projects in the amount of $3,339,800.

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:

  • City of Austin
  • City of Dallas
  • City of El Paso
  • City of Fort Worth
  • City of Houston
  • City of San Antonio
  • Dallas County
  • El Paso County
  • Harris County
  • Hidalgo County
  • Tarrant County
  • Travis County

Funds available include $3,339,800 from Fiscal Year 2010 Urban Park Account revenue.  This review includes applications from eight sponsors requesting $5,458,126 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 five projects listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $3,339,800 is approved.”

Attachments – 1

  1. Exhibit A — Priority Listing

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit A
Urban Outdoor Grant Program Priority Listing
August 26, 2010
(Descending Order Of Priority)
(* Resubmitted Project)
# Score Sponsor Authority Project Name Total Project Recommended
1 58 Fort Worth Marine Creek Park Corridor $1,000,000 $1,000,000
2 31 Houston Sam Houston Park $1,000,000 $1,000,000
3 30 Harris County Buffalo Bend Nature Park $1,000,000 $ 997,200
4 28 San Antonio Friedrich Wilderness Park $112,600 $ 112,600
5 25 Dallas County Trinity River Greenbelt $230,000 $ 230,000
6 24 Austin Morris Williams Golf Course $1,000,000  
7 14 El Paso Jorge Montalvo Park $115,526  
8 13 Bexar County Mission County Park III $1,000,000  
      TOTAL $5,458,126 $3,339,800