Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Presenter:  Tim Hogsett

Action
Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant Funding
August 25, 2011

I.       Executive Summary:  Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are made available from the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Parks Account) to Texas local governments that exceed 500,000 in population for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites.  As of March 1, 2011 TPWD received five eligible Outdoor applications requesting $4,250,000 in matching fund assistance.  Staff is recommending support of all five projects in the amount of $4,250,000.

II.      Discussion:  The 80th Legislature, Regular Session, created the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Parks Account) by amending Chapter 24 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, adding sections 24.051 through 24.062.  Large counties and municipalities are defined as city and county governments having populations of 500,000 or more as of the last federal census.  Eligible participants include:

  • City of Austin
  • City of Dallas
  • City of El Paso
  • City of Fort Worth
  • City of Houston
  • City of San Antonio
  • Collin County**
  • Dallas County
  • Denton County**
  • El Paso County
  • Fort Bend County**
  • Harris County
  • Hidalgo County
  • Tarrant County
  • Travis County

(**Recently added by the 2010 Census results)

The 82nd Texas Legislature has suspended all Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA), and all Large County & Municipality Recreation and Parks Account funding for the FY 2012-2013 biennium.

Funds available include $4,250,000 from Fiscal Year 2011 Urban Park Account revenue.  This review includes applications from five sponsors requesting $4,250,000 in matching funds for all applications submitted.  Based on the scores, the projects have been ranked in descending order of priority.  Exhibit A contains the priority listing with funds requested by the sponsors and funds recommended by staff.

III.     Recommendation:  Staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"Funding for five projects listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $4,250,000 is approved.”

Attachments – 1

  1. Exhibit A — Priority Listing

Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Appendix A

Urban Outdoor Grant Program Priority Listing
August 25, 2011
(Descending Order of Priority)
(* Resubmitted Project)
# Score Sponsor Authority Project Name Grant Request State Match Recommended Cumulative Recommended
1 42 Forth Worth Northwest Community Park $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000
2 32 Bexar County Mission County Park II $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $2,000,000
3 31 Houston Emancipation Park $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $3,000,000
4 21 San Antonio Playground Replacements $250,000 $250,000 $3,250,000
5 19 Austin Auditorium Shores $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $4,250,000
Total $4,250,000