TPW Commission Awards More Than $6 Million in Grants
Jan. 31, 2005
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AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved a total of $6,578,497 for two boat ramp grants, 11 local park grants and one indoor recreation project grant.
Below is the complete list of grants awarded, listed in alphabetical order by county and grouped by type of grant.
The State Boat Ramp Program was authorized in 1975 by the 64th Legislature. The program provides funds for the purchase, construction and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and related improvements. Program funds may also be used for capital improvements to existing state boat ramp sites. The program receives funding from two sources: (1) The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Program, and (2) The State Game, Fish and Water Safety Fund. Fifteen percent of the State's annual apportionment from the federal Wallop-Breaux Program must be used to provide public access for motor boating facilities. Construction for new ramps is supported on a 75 percent (state) 25 percent (local) basis. The Department has recently appproved two applications for new ramp construction requesting $893,080 in matching fund assistance.
Brazoria County: The Village of Surfside Beach is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $500,000 for construction of a 3-lane boat ramp, parking lot and loading docks, restroom, fish cleaning station, bulkheads, walkways, and signs. The facility is located on the Freeport River Ship Channel adjacent to the Intercoastal Waterway in Surfside Beach.
Rockwall County: The City of Rockwall is requesting $393,080 in 75 percent matching funds to expand an existing single-lane boat ramp and parking area by constructing a second single-lane ramp, courtesy dock, picnic area, landscaping, lighting, walkways, and signs. The facility is located at Highway 66 on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall.
For Outdoor Recreation Grants, the commission approved 11 projects. Funds for this program come from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA) and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. These funds go to Texas local governments for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites. The 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.
Cameron County: the City of Brownsville requests support to acquire a 22-acre conservation easement by donation and further develop College Park/Fort Brown Park located on the Fort Brown and Lozano Banco Resacas within the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College campus in the south-central area of the city. Proposed development includes a 6-acre open space dedication with constructed wetland, one-mile lighted trail, three gazebos, nine exercise stations, 9-hole disc golf course, eight picnic tables with grills, three fishing areas, pavilion, bird watching shelter, horseshoe pit, playground, interpretive signs, benches, retaining walls/bank stabilization, native landscaping enhancements, drinking fountains, and program signs. The local match consists of city labor, equipment and materials; and the value of the conservation easement and funds, labor, equipment and materials donated from the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. ($437,500).
Cameron County: The City of La Feria requests support to acquire by purchase 86.24 acres and develop 25 acres of city-owned non-parkland as Wildlife and Nature Park located in the south area of the city. Proposed development includes a 4-acre wetland dedication, 4.02-mile walking trail, two bridges, eight wildlife observation stations, outdoor education pavilion, fishing/canoe pier, playground, six covered picnic tables, 12 benches, pond gardens, hummingbird garden, herb garden, palm garden, cactus garden, butterfly garden, native tree planting, wildflower planting, habitat plantings, wetland enhancements, general landscaping, roads, parking, utilities, area lighting, cultural and natural interpretive signs, and program acknowledgement signs. The local match consists of city funds and the value of the city-owned non-parkland, and Cameron County donations of labor and equipment. ($500,000).
Camp County requests support to acquire 68.66 acres by donation and develop Broach Park Recreation Complex located north of Pittsburg in Camp County. Proposed development includes a 2-acre open space dedication, 2.6-acre nature area, two lighted baseball fields, two lighted softball fields, two football/soccer fields, 1.2-mile trail with four exercise stations, 3-acre pond, lighted fishing pier, tennis/basketball court, tennis/handball court, playground, sand volleyball court, three horseshoe pits, shuffleboard pavilion, two covered game tables, 12 picnic tables, kiosk, four benches, fencing, landscaping, irrigation, and project signs. The local match consists of cash donations from the City of Pittsburg and Pittsburg Independent School District; Camp County Sheriff's Department donations of labor, equipment, and materials; and private donations of land, cash, labor, equipment, and materials. ($500,000).
Fannin County: the City of Trenton requests support to acquire by donation 15 acres to expand and further develop 10-acre Memorial Park located along Memorial Creek in the central area of the city. Proposed development includes a 3.4-acre wetland acquisition, a 1.5-acre open space dedication, two lighted ball fields, three soccer fields, playground, shuffleboard court, two horseshoe pits, .86-mile multi-purpose trail, five exercise stations, two bridges, Texas Smartscape garden, seven sheltered picnic tables with grills, four sheltered double park benches, practice tennis court, two sand volleyball courts, gazebo, tennis court renovation, interpretive signs, and program signs. The local match consists of city funds; and private donations of land, cash, labor, equipment and materials. Memorial Park has been previously supported through a Land and Water Conservation Fund project. ($231,050)
Harris County: the Harris County MUD #120 requests support to acquire 1.25 acres by purchase and develop a 21.7-acre park located in the east area of the MUD and the west area of Harris County. Proposed development includes a 1.25-acre open space dedication, playground, xeriscape and wetlands interpretive gardens with water reclamation irrigation, 2.14-mile trail, six fitness stations, four benches, four rest areas, pavilion, eight picnic tables with two grills, four picnic shelters with tables and grills, volleyball court, soccer field, three baseball fields, disc golf course, nature area, .1-mile nature trail, interpretive area, water fountains, and irrigation. The local match consists of a cash donation from the Mission Bend Greenbelt Association, ($409,965).
Hays County: the City of Buda requests support to acquire 17.23 acres by donation to develop the 72-acre Sportsplex located in the northwest area of the city. Proposed development includes a 15-acre open space dedication, .2-mile trail, 300-linear foot nature trail, wetland/pond/garden, pavilion, playground, six picnic tables, six benches, four ball fields, fishing access point, two soccer fields, xeriscape garden, kiosk, interpretive signs, and project signs. The local match consists of Hays County bond funds, a Hays Consolidated Independent School District land donation, and a private land donation. ($500,000).
Hood County: The City of Granbury requests support to acquire by donation 2.76 acres, dedicate 3.35 acres of city-owned non-parkland, and further develop 6.87 acres of existing park land as City Beach Park located on Lake Granbury in the southeast area of the city. Proposed development includes a 1-acre wetland dedication, 1.33-mile hike/bike trail, pavilion, breakwater/fishing pier, playground, water playscape, 30 picnic tables (10 covered), 11 benches, two horseshoe pits, lake swimming area, xeriscape garden, wetland aquatic garden, gazebo, beach rehabilitation, natural resource interpretive signs, cultural resource interpretive kiosk, and program acknowledgement signs. The local match consists of the value of the city-owned non-parkland; Hood County donations of labor, equipment, and materials; donation of labor, equipment and materials from the Tolar Independent School District; and private donations of land, cash, labor, equipment, and materials. ($500,000)
Milam County: the City of Cameron requests support to acquire 1.5 acres by purchase and dedicate 22.98 acres of city-owned non-parkland to develop Community Park located in the north area of the city. Proposed development includes a 1.5-acre open space dedication, 1.5-acre nature preserve, community garden, pavilion, basketball court, putting green, two horseshoe pits, two washer courts, six picnic tables with three grills, .35-mile trail, pool, shuffleboard court, jump rope area, sand volleyball court, and lighting. The local match consists of the value of the city-owned non-parkland, a TEA-21 grant, and a private cash donation. ($500,000).
Navarro County: The City of Rice requests support to acquire 20.01 acres by donation and develop Mike Dickens Memorial Park located in the southwest area of the city. Proposed development includes a 4-acre open space dedication, .25-mile multi-purpose trail with two bridges, three ball fields (two lighted), soccer/flag football field, two sand volleyball courts, basketball court, two horseshoe pits, two shuffleboard courts, three game tables, playground, pavilion, community grill, six picnic tables, four grills, three benches, hummingbird/butterfly garden, wildlife viewing area, native tree planting with identification signs, cultural interpretive signs, and program acknowledgement signs. The local match consists of private donations of land, cash, labor, equipment, and materials, $213,822.
Austin County: The City of Bellville requests support to acquire 6.3 acres by purchase and develop 28.1-acre Clark Park located in the north area of the city. Proposed development includes a 5.2-acre open space dedication, lighted multi-use field, three lighted soccer fields, two lighted baseball fields, playground, 1-mile trail, amphitheater, splash pad, covered pavilion/basketball court, eight RV campsites, 10 picnic tables with grills, six benches, pond rehabilitation, interpretive signs, and program signs. The local match consists of city funds, a Lower Colorado River Authority cash donation, and private donations of cash. ($500,000).
Tarrant County: The City of Haslet requests support to acquire 21 acres by donation/purchase to develop Community Park located in the northwest area of the city. Proposed development includes a 5.75-acre open space dedication, .75-mile trail, playground, sprayground, pavilion with four tables and two grills, amphitheater, basketball court, soccer field, softball field, open play area, two horseshoe pits, disc golf course, interpretive signs, landscaping, and project signs. The local match consists of the value of the private land donation. ($500,000).
For Indoor Recreation Grants, the Commission approved one grant. TRPA funds available for indoor projects include $1,275,000 specifically appropriated by the legislature for the 2004-05 biennium (a reduction from the previously dedicated and appropriated amount of $3,325,000 per year). In order to make indoor grant funding available for both years of the biennium, $637,500 (half of the appropriated amount) was made available each year.
Robertson County: The City of Hearne requests support to construct a 19,750-square-foot recreation center located in School Park in the south area of the city. Proposed development includes a gym with bleachers, .1-mile track, weight room, exercise room, meeting/arts and crafts room, meeting/environmental studies room, meeting/multi-media room, teen game room/lounge, kitchen/concession, restrooms, locker room, and project signs. The total cost of the project is $1,937,400. The local match consists of a Hearne Independent School District cash donation. ($750,000).