Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Announces Candidates for Federal Parks and Recreation Grants
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt announced 25 Missouri communities will be recommended to the National Park Service to receive more than $755,000 in federal grants to assist with park and recreation needs. The grants are part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is a federal program that can be used to acquire, develop and renovate outdoor recreation projects.
"Missouri's many outdoor recreation opportunities, from playgrounds to parks, are an important part of our state's appeal while they also help preserve our rich history of exploration and discovery," Blunt said. "These grants will assist Missouri communities in providing facilities that can be used for healthy recreational opportunities for all Missourians."
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources received 48 applications requesting more than $1.9 million in grant funding. The State Inter-Agency Council for Outdoor Recreation made the award recommendations. 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 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.
Following is a list of Land and Water Conservation Fund recommended grant recipients, along with the projects and grant amounts:
- Cassville R-IV Schools, Rocky Edmondson Park Renovation, $29,610
- City of Columbia, Stephens Lake Park - Amphitheater, $20,250
- City of Gladstone, Walking Trail Renovation at Oak Grove Park, $30,000
- City of Ozark Parks and Recreation, Ozark Skate Park Project, $30,000
- Tarkio R-I School District, Tarkio R-I Accessible Playground Development, $30,000
- City of Cottleville, Cottleville City Park Playground, $30,000
- City of Oronogo, Downtown City Park Playground Renovation, $30,000
- Worth County R-III School District, Grant City, Softball Playing Field Renovation Project, $30,000
- Adrian R-III School District, Adrian R-III Track Development, $30,000
- City of Hollister Parks and Recreation Department, Coon Creek Trail - Wilhoit Park, $29,514
- Scott County R-IV School District, Benton, S.A.F.E. P.L.A.Y. Playground Renovation, $30,000
- City of Jamesport Park Board, Jamesport Playground Project, $30,000
- City of University City, Heman Park Picnic Area and Restroom Replacement, $30,000
- City of New Franklin, New Franklin Community Swim Park, $12,071
- City of Higginsville, Higginsville Skate Park, $30,000
- City of Warsaw, Shawnee Bend Golf Course Renovations, $30,000
- Monroe County Commission, Florida, Mo., Mark Twain Birthsite Recreational Trail (Phase II), $13,600
- City of Kirksville, City of Kirksville Skate Park, $30,000
- Kingston R-42 School District, Kingston 42 Playground Restoration Project, $30,000
- City of Neosho, Neosho's Municipal Swimming Pool, $26,550
- City of Palmyra, Renovation of Tennis Courts, $27,225
- City of Creve Coeur, La Verne Collins Park Improvements (Phase I), $30,000
- County of Jefferson, Hillsboro, Northwest Jefferson County Sports Complex, $30,000
- City of Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department, North River Road Trail, $17,783
- City of Houston, West Side Park Pool, $30,000
For more information on the Land and Water Conservation Fund grants, contact Connie Patterson with the Department of Natural Resources at (573) 751-1010.