NPS - National Park Service
03/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/27/2024 15:46
Interior Department commits $58.3 million in grants for park and recreation projects in communities lacking parks
Date: March 27, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON - The Department of the Interior announced today the selection of 14 projects in 11 states to receive $58.3 million through the National Park Service's Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP).
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the funding during a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she met with local and state officials and outdoor recreation stakeholders to highlight the importance of increasing equitable access to the outdoors. The city of San Francisco is receiving more than $8 million from this year's ORLP funding to revitalize park blocks that offer various outdoor recreation amenities to the public.
The ORLP program, funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, provides grants to communities for locally led park projects in underserved communities, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities with little to no access to outdoor recreation opportunities. These funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or to substantially renovate public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.
"I've seen firsthand the benefits that come with connecting with nature. Access to the outdoors provides children and families opportunities to learn about our world, live healthier lives and recreate," said Secretary Deb Haaland. "Through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, the Department of the Interior is making historic investments in communities across America to ensure that someone's background or zip is not a barrier to the benefits of green spaces."
"Every community should have access to outdoor recreation and community parks," said NPS Director Chuck Sams. "The National Park Service is honored with protecting parks big and small, near and far including by helping invest in locally led close to home recreation and park spaces."
Last month, the Department launched a new nationwide tour to hear directly from local stakeholders on the need to connect communities with access to the outdoors and encourage state participation in the ORLP program. The program helps advance President Biden's America the Beautiful initiative, a locally led, voluntary conservation and restoration effort that aims to address the nature and climate crises, improve equitable access to the outdoors, and strengthen the economy. Providing safe outdoor spaces for communities that are park-deprived is one of six areas of focus. The ORLP program also helps advance the Administration's Justice 40 initiative which aims to have 40 percent of the benefits of federal funding flow to disadvantaged communities. Managed by the NPS and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the nationally competitive program provides matching grants (up to 50% of total project costs) to assist economically disadvantaged communities with limited access to community parks.
Learn more about the projects the $58.3 million will support across the United States:
California
City of Redding - $3,500,000
Reimagining South City Park
The City of Redding, CA, will reimagine South City Park by layering a variety of uses including a playground and spray fountain, entry and activities plaza, flexible greenspace, pickleball courts, a skate plaza, basketball court, lounge areas, climbing features, a walking loop, updated lighting and landscaping, a dog area, and improvements to existing restrooms, the baseball field, and bocce ball courts.
City and County of San Francisco - $8,124,800
Buchanan Street Mall Renovations
The City of San Francisco, CA will renovate three of the five park blocks that comprise Buchanan Street Mall. Renovation of the other two blocks were supported by a previous ORLP grant. The three blocks will provide many amenities including a performance stage and seating areas, a picnic and barbeque area, multiple playgrounds, an adult and senior exercise area, a half court for multi-sports, lighting, landscaping, and information kiosks.
California Department of Parks and Recreation - $659,640
Tozer Park Construction Grant
The California Department of Parks and Recreation will use funds to develop both active and passive recreational opportunities in Tozer Park, in Madera, CA, including new playground with equipment, a picnic shelter with seating and grills, landscaping and irrigation, a parcourse trail/track, exercise equipment, adult and child half- or multi-use courts, miniature soccer/multi-use fields, and tennis/pickle ball courts.
Connecticut
City of Bridgeport - $1,062,454
The Sliver by the River Development Project, Phase 1
The City of Bridgeport, CT, will use funds for Phase I of the Sliver by the River Redevelopment Project. It will feature a kayak launch, floating dock, nature playground, shade pavilion, multi-use open lawn, terraced lawn with seating, benches, and trees and native plantings that help cool the air and reduce the urban heat island.
Indiana
South Bend Venues Parks and Arts - $7,500,000
Kennedy Park Rehabilitation Project
South Bend Venues Parks and Arts will bring new life to Kennedy Park in South Bend, IN, by introducing an outdoor aquatic facility, picnic pavilions, walking paths, educational naturalized landscaping, playground, athletic fields/courts, and improved access for the surrounding neighborhood.
Kentucky
Waterfront Development Corporation - $10,000,000
Waterfront Park Phase IV
The Waterfront Development Corporation will complete Phase IV of the Louisville, KY, Waterfront Park project along the Ohio River. Funds will support the transformation of a long-neglected area by providing green space and recreational amenities including an observation pier, plazas, green spaces, trees, and riverbank stabilization.
Michigan
City of Detroit - $1,300,000
Patton Park Cohesion and Enhancement
The City of Detroit, MI, will use ORLP grant funds to significantly improve Patton Park by constructing a new entry plaza, upgrading the existing playground, adding new play areas, enhancing the picnic area, redesigning parts of the park to reduce heat island effects, and providing improved access to the park.
New Jersey
City of Paterson - $4,900,000
The City of Paterson, NJ, will transform Westside Park by restoring tennis and basketball courts and public restrooms, installing a multipurpose athletic complex, and a wide array of new spaces for gathering, playing, relaxing, and enjoying nature including new boat launch, and an expanded path system.
New York
New York City - $6,000,000
Spring Creek Park Revitalization
New York City Parks will create multiple access points to, and renovate, Spring Creek Park North, on the Brooklyn/Queens border. The plans include over 4,500 feet of trails, lighting, benches, and signs to ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
North Carolina
City of Raleigh - $845,258
Walnut Creek Park -Bailey Gateway Project
The City of Raleigh, NC, will use grant funds to create the Bailey Drive Gateway at Walnut Creek Wetland Park. The project will reclaim a vacant and overgrown area on the southside of the park that is currently under-utilized and provides no recreational benefits to the local community. The improved site will also provide residents with direct, safe pedestrian access to existing public amenities north of Walnut Creek.
Pennsylvania
City of Bethlehem - $747,966
Friendship Park Rehabilitation
The City of Bethlehem, PA, will rehabilitate Friendship Park by providing a central public lawn, a new main entrance and two additional entrances, a fountain splash plaza, upgrades to existing play structures, a shade structure and picnic area, a new basketball court, and a pathway system.
South Carolina
City of Florence - $8,927,097
Levy Park Renovation
The City of Florence, SC, will redevelop the aging Levy Park. The planned physical and facility improvements include a full renovation/reconfiguration of the existing sports fields and courts, development of multi-use walkways, ballfields, playgrounds, fitness equipment, landscaping, and parking.
Texas
City of Laredo - $3,799,966
Zacate Creek Green District Corridor Project
The City of Laredo, TX, will develop the 22-acre Zacate Creek Green District Corridor. Proposed elements include creating new hiking/biking trails, shared-use paths, a new trail head entrance, designated parking areas, open-air visitor center with restrooms and a bike and kayak rental station, pedestrian bridges both new and restored, amphitheater restoration, benches, water fountains, tables, bike repair stations, community garden, landscaping, and embankment stabilization.
Virginia
City of Richmond - $1,000,000
Broad Rock Creek Park Project
The City of Richmond, VA will use funds to create a nature park at Broad Rock Creek by repairing the bridge, developing trails, building roads, restrooms, adding park amenities including wayfinding, kiosks, benches, water fountains, and trash cans.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.