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Texas Recreation and Parks Account, Boating Access & Recreational Trails

Texas Recreation and Parks Account, Boating Access & Recreational Trails. Program Rules Review Public Hearings. Recreation Grants Statement of Purpose:. To assist communities in providing recreation and conservation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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Texas Recreation and Parks Account, Boating Access & Recreational Trails

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  1. Texas Recreation and Parks Account, Boating Access& Recreational Trails Program Rules Review Public Hearings

  2. Recreation GrantsStatement of Purpose: To assist communities in providing recreation and conservation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations

  3. Grant Programs Being Reviewed • Texas Recreation and Parks Account • Regional Park Grants • Outdoor Recreation Grants • Indoor Recreation Grants • Small Community Grants • Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grants • Recreational Trail Grants • Boating Access Grants

  4. 80th Texas Legislature • Increase in competitive grant funding to $15.5 million per year • Creation of Urban Parks Account • $16.7 million appropriations riders

  5. $15.5 million / year appropriation: 40% Urban = $6.2 million 60% TRPA = $9.3 million

  6. Urban Parks Account • Cities and Counties over 500,000 population • 13 eligible entities • 40% of available funds • Not competing with TRPA • Summit meeting in October to develop rules

  7. TRPA appropriation $5.6 million per year TRPA appropriation $15.5 million per year Park Grants by the numbersFY 06-07 vs. 08-09

  8. Rules Review Timeline August Staff retreat September Public Hearings/Participant Surveys: Austin, Arlington, The Woodlands, Odessa, Harlingen October Draft rules prepared November Commission permission to publish in Texas Register December Copy available on-line @ tpwd.state.tx.us/grants January 24, 2008 Commission adopts new rules

  9. Regional Recreation Grants • Has been about $2 million per year (fed. funds) • Program suspended last 2 years • 50% match • $750,000 to $2 million • Outdoor / indoor recreation and conservation projects of regional significance • Local governments / multi-jurisdictional

  10. Regional Priority Scoring System • Compliance at previously assisted grant project sites • Project provides for the acquisition of land for the purposes of • A. Intensive use recreation (5 points), and/or • B. Significant linear greenways (5 points), and/or • C. Conservation areas (5 points) • Project demonstrates matching fund contributions (land, money, in-kind) from multiple political jurisdictions (1-5) • Project is a component of a comprehensive or park and recreation master plan (1-5) • Project proposes facility development which will be used or programmed by multiple political jurisdictions (1-5) • Project demonstrates commitments for funds, resources, or programming from the private sector or non-profit groups (1-5) Scoring Systems

  11. Regional Priority Scoring System • Project demonstrates the dedication of publicly-owned non-parkland from a source other than the applicant (1-5) • Project proposes acquisition and/or development of significant water-based resources (1-15) • Project proposes acquisition and/or development of a significant natural resource other than water (1-10) • Project proposes to link multiple political jurisdictions with trails and/or greenbelts (5-15) • Project promotes conservation of natural resources (1-5) Scoring Systems

  12. Topics for Discussion • Considering restoring this program in FY2009 • Land and Water Conservation Funds as the sole funding source (no state funds) • Current scoring system and funding thresholds, are they adequate?

  13. Outdoor Recreation Grants • 50% match to local governments • Land acquisition • Sports fields • Boating, fishing and hunting • Water recreation • Picnic, camping and trails • Playgrounds • Natural area / open space preservation • Current deadline July 31 • Current award ceiling $400,000

  14. Outdoor Priority Scoring System • Compliance at previously assisted grant project sites • Master plan priorities (1-15) • Diversity of park and recreation opportunities (1-10) • Improved water-based park and recreation opportunities (1-6) • Improve the geographic distribution or innovative use of park and recreation lands and facilities (1-10) • Maximizes the use of development funds for basic park and recreation opportunities (1-25) • Project improves park and recreation opportunities for low income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk citizens (1-16) Scoring Systems

  15. Outdoor Priority Scoring System • Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-20) • Acquisition and preservation of park and recreation lands, including publicly owned non-parkland (1-30) • Renovation or adaptive reuse of an existing obsolete park and recreation area or facilities (1-20) • Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5) • Linkage to other parks and recreation areas, neighborhoods, or public facilities (1-3) • Opportunities which enhance and encourage an appreciation and preservation of site-based cultural (historical and archaeological) resources (1-5) Scoring Systems

  16. Topics for Discussion • Restore second deadline (January 31st) • Increase award ceiling to $650,000? • Enlist the help of outside reviewers with associated scoring criteria • Revise recreation diversity criteria to reflect “major” and “minor” activities? (i.e. athletic fields vs. horseshoes) • Reduce the points associated with providing recreation opportunities vs. support structures? • Delete the scoring criteria associated with site-based cultural resources • Delete (or revise?) criteria for at-risk youth programming as it is difficult to quantify • Add a criteria that awards points based on project proximity to low income communities

  17. Topics for Discussion (cont.) • Is the number of points associated with the environmentally responsible activities and development scoring criteria adequate? Should the points be weighted according to investment and cutting edge technology? • Master Plan Criteria - Reduce update requirement to every five years - Allow the use of regional plans, etc. assuming they address specific needs and are adopted at the local level with public input) - Or is there another way to meet the planning criteria without requiring the submission of a Parks, Recreation and Open space plan?

  18. Indoor Recreation Grants • 50% match to local governments • Athletic and sports facilities • Arts and crafts • Nature centers • Senior centers • Current deadline July 31 (propose moving the deadline to January 31st – beginning Jan. 2009) • Current award $417,563 (propose increasing the award ceiling to $750,000 or higher)

  19. Indoor Priority Scoring System • Compliance at previously assisted grant project sites • Master plan priorities (1-15) • Diversity of indoor recreation opportunities (1-10) • Geographic distribution or innovative use of public indoor recreation facilities (5-20) • Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-20) • Renovation or adaptive reuse of an existing structure (1-20) • Project improves park and recreation opportunities for low income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk citizens (1-16) • Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5) Current Scoring System

  20. Topics for Discussion • Move application deadline to January 31st beginning Jan. 2009 • Increase award ceiling to $750,000? • Previous scoring criteria discussion may also apply

  21. Small Community Grants • 50% matching grants • Communities of less than 20,000 population • $50,000 maximum • Current deadline January 31 • Current award ceiling $50,000

  22. Small Community Priority Scoring System • Compliance at previously assisted grant project sites • Sponsor population is 2,000 or less (2) • Diversity of recreation opportunities (1-3) • Improve the geographic distribution or innovative use of park and recreation lands and facilities (1-10) • Maximizes the use of development funds for basic park and recreation opportunities (1-10) • Project improves park and recreation opportunities for low income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk citizens (1-16) • Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-10) • Project proposes the renovation of existing obsolete recreation facilities (1-10) • Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5) Current Scoring System

  23. Topics for Discussion • Move application deadline to July 31st beginning July 31st, 2008 • Increase award ceiling to $75,000? • Revise scoring criteria so single-purpose applications can be more competitive? If so, what other criteria should increase in weight? • The relative weight of demographic criteria is quite high, is this appropriate?

  24. Community Outdoor Outreach Grants • No match required • Recreation programming for underserved populations • Outdoor education • Nature education • Activities related to TPWD mission • Current deadline February 1 • Current award ceiling $30,000

  25. CO-OP Scoring System • Sponsor has closed out all previous CO-OP grant projects • Proposed project’s primary purpose is to serve the following participants (2-12) • Proposed project encourages partnerships with organized groups (1-4) • The number of program participants the proposed project will serve (1-10) • The extent to which the proposed project prioritizes direct service costs (1-10) • Extent to which sponsor funds and resources are committed to the project (1-4) Scoring Systems

  26. CO-OP Scoring System • Proposed project has a direct relationship with Texas Parks & Wildlife’s programs and/or facilities (1-5) • Project specifically serves youth at risk (1-3) • Project proposes activities related to Texas Parks & Wildlife initiatives (1–5) • Project promotes outdoor educational activities (1-4) • Has applicant fulfilled all previous CO-OP grant reimbursement requirements (negative score) Scoring Systems

  27. Topics for Discussion If LBB appeal is approved, should we: • Add an additional funding cycle, possibly in May or June? • Raise the cap from current $30,000?

  28. Recreational Trails Grants • 80% match • $100,000 maximum • Local government or TPWD facilities • Trail construction • Off-road vehicle trails also eligible • Current deadline June 1 • Current award ceiling $100,000

  29. Scoring SystemsRecreational Trail Grants • State Trails Advisory Committee • Bang for the Buck • Trail Opportunities Created • Geographic Distribution • Previous Awards

  30. Boat Access Grants • 75% match • $500,000 maximum • Local government or TPWD facilities • Boat Ramps, Marinas, Sewage Pumpouts • Current deadline June 30 & October 31 • Current award ceiling $500,000

  31. Administrative Issues • TDLR registration • Definition of professional services • Matching requirements • Program signs

  32. Administrative Issues • Compliance criteria • Negative scoring criteria • Loss of eligibility (3-5 years) with appeal process • Match from other state/federal grant programs

  33. Administrative Issues • Current review cyclesProposed cycles Outdoor July 31 July 31 and Jan. 31 Indoor July 31 Jan. 31 (beginning 2009) Small Comm. Jan. 31 July 31 (beginning 2008) CO-OP Feb. 1 (2 cycles if funding is restored) Rec. Trails June 1 no change Boat AccessJune 30,Oct. 31 October 31 only Regional (currently suspended)

  34. Administrative Issues • Current Award CeilingsProposed Ceilings Outdoor $400,000 $650,000 Indoor $417,563 $750,000 Small Comm. $50,000 $75,000 CO-OP $30,000 ? Rec. Trails $100,000 $200,000 Boat Access $500,000 (no change???) Regional (currently suspended)

  35. For More Information www.tpwd.state.tx.us/grants (512) 912-7124 rec.grants@tpwd.state.tx.us

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