GOCO Funds Can Revitalize Your School Yard!

1. GOCO Funds Can Revitalize Your School Yard!

2. Agenda • How is GOCO funded • GOCO funding opportunities for schools • Program funding parameters • Eligibility criteria • 2014 School Play Yard Initiative • Important dates • Helpful tips

3. How is GOCO funded? • Entirely by the Colorado Lottery • Zero tax dollars

4. GOCO Funding Opportunities For Schools • Local Park and Outdoor Recreation (LPOR) Program • Mini Grant Program • School Play Yard Initiative • All GOCO grants are: • Provided on a reimbursement basis • Matching grants, requiring funds from the applicant/partner • Competitive Cedaredge Elementary

5. Funding Parameters

6. Eligibility Criteria • Entities eligible to apply for Local Government funds: • Cities, towns, counties, and special park & rec districts that receive Conservation Trust Fund dollars (CTF) • Schools must partner with an eligible entity to construct projects on school grounds. • Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) • Local Government serves as GOCO applicant/grantee • School serves as partner

7. 2014 School Play Yard Initiative Burlington Middle SchoolBefore and After

8. School Play Yard Project Requirements • Projects must be constructed on/adjacent to school grounds • Projects must be designed by students • Projects must include play elements AND outdoor learning components • Funds can be used to build new school play yards • Funds can be used to enhance existing facilities • All school yards must be open to public when school is not in session

9. Eligible Project Components Natural/ Wildzoneplayscapes

10. Eligible Project Components Age Specific playgrounds, climbing structures, and safety surfacing

11. Eligible Project Components Outdoor Classrooms, Shade Structures and Pavilions

12. Eligible Project Components Educational gardens, and interpretive signs

13. Eligible Project Components Informal rec fields, painting for games such as four square, walking paths

14. Eligible Project Components • Other amenities including: • Basketball hoops • Drinking fountains • Benches • Picnic Tables

15. Ineligible Project Costs • Athletic courts • Staff time (applicant or partner) • Operations, maintenance or administrative • Programmatic funding • Non-fixed assets (i.e., lawn mowers, shovels, etc.) • Outdoor Performing Art Centers/Amphitheater • Work completed prior to grant award

16. Highlights from 2013 School Play Yard Initiative • 22 applications received requesting $2.1 million • $1.5 million awarded to 16 projects • More than 6,000 students participated in the design process and will benefit from new and improved school play yards!

17. Important Dates • Application deadline • January 17th, 2014 • Award date • April 2014 (exact date TBD)

18. Helpful Tips • Contact GOCO staff with questions • Submit applications for a pre-review • Remember the process is very competitive.

19. Questions? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates and ideas for your next outdoor adventure! On Facebook: Great Outdoors Colorado On Twitter: @GreatOutdoorsCO