$5.85 Million in Local Park Grants Awarded to 15 Texas Communities

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AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Jan. 24 approved $5.85 million in grants for 15 Texas communities to acquire or develop city park outdoor and indoor recreational sites.

Commissioners approved $3.78 million in funds from the 2008 fiscal year Texas Recreation and Parks Account program revenue for outdoor grants. The amount was divided among 10 out of 19 eligible applicants based on site visits and analysis.

Since the Texas Legislature restored the appropriation for indoor grants for the 2008-2009 biennium, $2.07 million in funds also was available for indoor grants. This amount was divided among five out of eight eligible applicants.

The funding for the grants is provided in part by the TRPA, which dedicates a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods to help local governments provide indoor and outdoor recreation. The program was authorized in 1993. Outdoor recreation grants are additionally made available through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund supported by offshore oil and gas lease royalties.

The top projects recommended by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff from those submitted by 27 sponsors were selected based on a competitive scoring system and ranked in descending order of priority. For more information on local park grants, including how to apply for funding, contact TPWD’s Recreation Grants Program at (512) 912-7124 or see the department Web site.

The commission awarded outdoor recreation grants to the following cities organized by county below:

  • Angelina County — The City of Diboll was awarded $400,000 to further develop the Old Orchard Park sports complex with the renovation of its sporting facilities, pavilions, wildlife viewing platform and playgrounds.
  • Cameron County — The City of Laureles was awarded $400,000 to further develop Laureles Regional Park to include several lighted sports facilities, a 0.75 mile trail and a community garden.
  • Denton County — The City of Justin was awarded $400,000 to further develop Community Park to include a new trail featuring two overlooks, a lighted baseball field, two soccer fields and upgraded playground equipment.
  • Grayson County — The City of Pottsboro was awarded $400,000 to further develop Pottsboro Park to include a 0.7 mile trail with six exercise stations, a skateboard park, a playground, multiple sporting fields and facilities, and a 2.5 acre pond.
  • Guadalupe County — The City of Cibolo was awarded $400,000 to further develop Town Creek Park West to include approximately 40 additional acres of land for open space and a 1.5 mile trail with educational and historical signs.
  • Jefferson County — The City of Port Arthur was awarded $400,000 to further develop Adams Park to include approximately 20 acres of land leased from the Port Arthur Independent School District. The additional land will be used for a wetland restoration with plantings, an outdoor learning center, a boardwalk, a soccer field and a 1 mile trail with exercise stations.
  • Kimble County — The City of Junction was awarded $400,000 to further develop Schreiner City Park to include splash pad, gazebo and interpretive signs; playground equipment; a 2 mile trail with benches and exercise stations;
  • Kleberg County — The City of Kingsville was awarded $184,898 to further develop Dick Kleberg Park to include a bird/wildlife observation station, a hummingbird/butterfly garden, sports facilities and exercise stations.
  • Limestone County — The City of Groesbeck was awarded $400,000 to further develop the Groesbeck City Park to include a 2.0 acre open space dedication, a 1.14 mile trail, two lighted baseball fields and two playgrounds.
  • Williamson County — The City of Hutto was awarded $400,000 to further develop Lake Park to include new trails, fishing access and bird-watching platforms and environmental and historical educational signs.

The commission approved indoor recreation grants for projects in the following amounts:

  • Coryell County — The City of Copperas Cove was awarded $417,563 for the development of a 36,792 square foot community recreation center in Ogletree Gap Regional Park. The new facility will include a natatorium with a leisure pool, a weight room, a gymnasium for basketball and volleyball and several multi-purpose rooms.
  • Frio County — The City of Dilley was awarded $416, 000 to further develop the Dilley City-School Recreation Facility to include new rooms for exercise, weightlifting and multipurpose use.
  • Jefferson County — The City of Port Arthur was awarded $417,563 to develop a 13,000 square foot addition to an existing 23,000 community recreation center. The new facility will include a gym with track, a climbing wall, an exercise room and several multi-purpose rooms
  • LaSalle County — The City of Cotulla was awarded $417,500 to further develop the 13,000 square foot Convention and Nature Center to include renovation to the existing auditorium, offices and a new space for nature displays and exhibits.
  • Williamson County — The City of Cedar Park was awarded $400,000 to develop a 50,000 square foot community recreational facility, which will include: an elevated track, a double gymnasium and several multi-purpose rooms.

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