FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 6, 2014
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.
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