Local Parks and Recreation Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund and Recreational Trails Program Grants Available

Monday, January 13, 2014 | 09:27am

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced today the 2014 grant cycle for the Local Parks and Recreation Fund, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Recreational Trails Program. The department is contacting local communities about the grant availability, and will host a series of workshops throughout the state on Tuesday, Jan. 28, Wednesday, Jan. 29, and Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014.

Local Parks and Recreation Fund Grants provide state funding for the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways and the purchase of land for recreational facilities. Funds also may be used for trail development and capital projects in parks, natural areas and greenways.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants provide matching grants to states, local governments and state agencies that provide recreation and parks, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

Recreational Trails Program Grants are provided through the federal Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act. TDEC administers this program in Tennessee and the grants may be used for non-routine maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation trailside or for trailhead facilities such as restrooms, shelters and parking lots, construction of new trails and acquisition of land for recreational trails or corridors.

TDEC’s Division of Recreation Educational Services will host three workshops across the state to assist communities interested in the grant application process. Workshops include (local times apply):

 

East Tennessee Workshop

• Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at TDEC’s Knoxville Environmental Field Office, 3711 Middlebrook Pike

  • 10 a.m.: Local Parks and Recreation Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund
  • 11:45 a.m.: Recreational Trails Program

 

Middle Tennessee Workshop

• Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at the William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Nashville, 3rd Floor, Conference, Room D

  • 10 a.m.: Local Parks and Recreation Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund
  • 11:45 a.m.: Recreational Trails Program

 

West Tennessee Workshop

• Thursday, January 30, 2014 at TDEC’s Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive

  • 10 a.m.: Local Parks and Recreation Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund
  • 11:45 a.m.: Recreational Trails Program

 

To register for a workshop, please contact Carol Thompson at 615-532-0208 or carol.h.thompson@tn.gov. For more information about the grants, visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/recreation/recreation_grants.shtml.  

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