FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 14, 2014
DEP EXECUTES 10 LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND CONTRACTS
~Land
and Water Conservation Fund celebrates 50th anniversary~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has
executed 10 Land and Water Conservation Fund contracts in nine counties. The projects were approved by the United
States Department of the Interior through the National Park Service and total more than $1.8 million.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal competitive grant program, which provides matching grants to help local communities
protect parks and develop recreational resources. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has
benefited nearly every county in America, supporting more than 41,000 projects.
In Florida, eight of the 10 projects were funded at the
maximum grant request of $200,000. The
remaining two were funded at the applicant requested amounts of $175,000 and
$50,000. The matching ratio is one
applicant dollar to one federal dollar for all grant awards.
“Local governments recognize the importance of providing
outdoor recreation options to their residents and utilize grant match programs
like the Land and Water Conservation Fund to invest in their community,” said
Rick Mercer, director of DEP's Office of Operations. “We are thrilled that these 10 projects are
executed and we join the nation in celebrating the 50th anniversary
of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.”
From building hiking and biking trails, to improving
community parks, playgrounds and ball fields, this grant-matching program is
the primary federal investment tool to ensure families have easy access to
public, open spaces.
Some examples of the projects funded in Florida during this
cycle include:
- Construction of a playground/play area, nature
trail, picnic pavilion, boardwalk, observation deck and related facilities
including parking and signage at Keaton Beach Coastal Park, Taylor County;
- Construction of an observation deck with walkway
access, picnic pavilions and shelters, kayak and canoe launch, horseshoe court,
and other related facilities at Legacy Park in the city of Venice, Sarasota
County; and
-
Development of an expanded pedestrian trail, a
floating boat dock, an off-road bike trail, restroom renovations, an expanded
parking lot and other related facilities at Hampton Pines Park in the city of
North Lauderdale, Broward County.
The Land and Recreation Grants Section within the Bureau of
Financial Management administers the Land and Water Conservation Fund on behalf
of the U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service. Eligible
participants include all local governmental entities with the legal
responsibility for the provision of outdoor recreational sites and facilities
for the use and benefit of the public.
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