Monday, March 13, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Recommends Fourteen Missouri Communities to Receive Federal Grants
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt has asked the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to recommend to the National Park Service that 14 Missouri communities receive more than $500,000 in federal grants to assist with park and recreation needs.
The grants are part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is a federal program that can be used by city and county governments and school districts to acquire, develop and renovate outdoor recreation projects.
“I am pleased these resources have been made available to help Missouri communities improve public parks and recreation facilities,” Blunt said. “This is good news for Missouri families and a positive investment in local communities.”
DNR received 59 applications requesting more than $2 million in grant funding. Recommendations went to projects with the highest score based on meeting the recreational needs of the communities, planning goals and unique or specific attributes. All projects require a 55 percent local match. The funds are made available through the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service and the National Park Service must approve the recommendations before the grants are awarded.
The following is a list of recommended LWCF grant applicants, along with the projects and grant amounts:
- City of Aurora, $50,000, White Park Ball Field Lighting Renovation
- Cabool R-IV School District, $50,000, Cabool Play Fields Renovation Project
- City of Ewing, $11,250, Ewing City Park Development
- City of St. Clair, $17,194, Orchard Park Courts Renovation
- City of Park Hills, $25,500, Columbia Park Walking Trail Development
- City of St. Louis, $50,000, Lafayette Park Playground Renovation
- City of St. Peters, $50,000, Tot Lot Park Inclusive Playground Renovation
- City of Strafford, $50,000, Strafford Park Acquisition
- West Platte R-II School District, $50,000, Benner Park Master Plan Phase One Development
- City of Slater, $20,412, Slater Kiddy Park Restroom Renovation
- City of Warrensburg Parks & Recreation Department, $50,000, Skateboard Park Development
- City of Belton, $38,168, Cimarron Trails Park Development
- Blue Springs R-IV School District, $50,000, Special Services Center PlayGarden Development
- City of Richland, $22,500, Redbird Playground Renovation
For more information about the grant program, contact DNR at 1-800-334-6946 (voice) or 1-800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit the Web page at www.mostateparks.com. For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel.
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