Parks and Recreation Grants Available to Local Governments

APRIL 2 DEADLINE SET FOR TENNSSEE RECREATION INITIATIVE PROGRAM (TRIP) APPLICATIONS

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation wants to remind local governments that do not currently have parks or recreation departments that they can take advantage of the Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program (TRIP) grant program to help create parks and recreation opportunities in local communities. Applications for TRIP grants are due in April.

“Approximately 30 percent of Tennesseans are not currently served by an organized local parks and recreation program,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “I am always pleased to see communities access this program to help provide parks amenities for their citizens.”

The Department of Environment and Conservation has taken several steps to get the word out about this grant program for local governments that do not currently have a parks or recreation program.

“We did a mass mailing to let communities know about the current grant cycle and we will conduct a TRIP Grant Workshop on February 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (CST) in Nashville,” said Mark Tummons, director of the department’s Division of Recreation Services. “Information is also available on our Web site at www.tdec.net/recreation.”

With the April deadline approaching, Tummons reminds local governments to start working on their applications now so they can be completed and submitted by the April 2 deadline. Those interested in participating in the February 21 TRIP Grant Workshop should contact the Division of Recreation Services at (615) 532-0748. The workshop will be held in the L&C Tower in Nashville.

Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program (TRIP) Grants provide funding to governments that do not currently have parks and recreation services within their jurisdiction.

• Eligibility: Any incorporated city or county government that meets the criteria may apply through a competitive matching grant process.
• Grant Awards: TRIP grants are for a three-year period. During the first two years, the community shall match up to $50,000 from the State. In the third year, the community is responsible for 100 percent of the funding for the program.
• Deadlines: The deadline for filing a TRIP grant application is April 2, 2007. Grant recipients will be announced in May.

The Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program was created in 1995 by the General Assembly. TRIP grants are administered through the Department of Environment and Conservation and provide funding to governments that do not currently have parks and recreation services within their jurisdictions. Any incorporated city or county government may apply for funding through a competitive matching grant process.

For more information about parks, recreation and trails grants administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation, visit: www.tdec.net/recreation and click on “Grants.”

For more information contact:

Dana Coleman
Office (615) 253-1916