51 COMMUNITY RECREATION PROJECTS BEGIN

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 6, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

51 COMMUNITY RECREATION PROJECTS BEGIN 

~Governor and legislature fund $2.4 million in community projects~

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program has executed a total of 51 contracts for outdoor recreation projects in 26 counties. Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature appropriated more than $2.4 million for these projects in fiscal year 2014-2015.

The Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to local governments to acquire or develop land for public outdoor recreational purposes. 

“These projects will provide additional outdoor recreational opportunities that local residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come,” said Rick Mercer, director of DEP's Office of Operations. “We look forward to another successful grant cycle for fiscal year 2015-2016 as we continue assisting local governments with providing recreational resources in their communities.”

All 51 projects were funded at $50,000 or less. Matching funds are not required for grants at this funding level and grantees have up to three years to complete the projects.

Some examples of projects funded by these grants include:

  • Development of park pavilions and related facilities at Plantation Woods Park in the city of Plantation, Broward County;
  • Construction of a trail, picnic shelter, observation tower and other related facilities at Blind Creek Park in St. Lucie County; and
  • Development of picnic facilities, installation of new playground equipment, renovations of an existing basketball court and related facilities at Palm Street Park in the city of Chattahoochee, Gadsden County.

The Land and Recreation Grants section within the Bureau of Financial Management administers the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. Eligible participants include all county governments, municipalities in Florida and other legally-constituted local governmental entities with the responsibility for providing outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the general public. 

For a complete list of the 51 projects, click here