Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Presenter:  Tim Hogsett

Action
Small Community Recreation Grant Funding
August 25, 2011

I.       Executive Summary:  Small Community Recreation Grants are made available from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to Texas local governments of less than 20,000 in population for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites.  As of March 1, 2011 TPWD received 21 eligible Small Community applications requesting $1,389,690 in matching fund assistance.  Staff is recommending support of five projects in the amount of $375,000.

II.      Discussion:  The Texas Recreation and Parks Account Program (TRPA) was authorized in 1993 to assist local political subdivisions of the state in providing basic public recreation facilities.  TRPA revenue is generated from a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods.  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 currently available include $375,000 from the LWCF.  Staff reviewed applications from 21 sponsors requesting $1,389,690 in matching funds for all eligible applications submitted by March 1, 2011.  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 $375,000 is approved.”

Attachments – 1

  1. Exhibit A — Priority Listing

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Appendix A

Small Community 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 Lorena McBrayer Park* $75,000 $75,000 $75,000
2 41 Centerville Joseph A. Sullivan City Park $75,000 $75,000 $150,000
3 40 Pittsburg Fair Park Renovation Project $75,000 $75,000 $225,000
4 39 Crystal City Municipal Pool* $75,000 $75,000 $300,000
5 36 Harris County WCID #136 Birnam Woods Nature Park* $75,000 $75,000 $375,000
6 35 Mount Pleasant Keith Park $75,000    
7 34 Wilmer Adams Street City Park $75,000    
8 32 Groves Chris Roark Lions Park $50,250    
9 32 Yoakum Municipal Swimming Pool $75,000    
10 31 Von Ormy City Park $70,000    
11 30 Mineola Preserve on the Sabine Phase IV* $49,600    
12 30 Sealy North Park $75,000    
13 29 Ballinger City Park II $75,000    
14 28 Lakeside Park $75,000    
15 27 Aledo Park & Community Center $75,000    
16 24 Bovina City Park $14,590    
17 24 Saint Jo Play & Skate Park* $75,000    
18 23 Port Isabel Laguna Madre Park II $75,000    
19 21 Brookshire Evelyn Waters Memorial Playground $5,250    
20 17 Chandler Winchester Park II $75,000    
21 17 Llano Sculpture Garden $75,000    
Total $1,389,690