California State Parks Recommends $14.8M for Land and Water Conservation Funds, Funds would help create outdoor recreation resources
Contact: Dennis Weber l (916) 651-8724
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks today announced recommendations to the National Park Service (NPS) for $14.8 million in funding for nine local park projects under the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program. Cities such as Delano in Kern County would receive funding to help build a new public pool, bleachers and a pool house with restrooms. The Desert Recreation District in Oasis (Riverside County) would receive $1.7 million to construct new sports fields and courts, a playground and trails. Funding is made available if the NPS approves the recommended projects.
Parks are unique places where children play, people exercise, families and friends bond, seniors socialize, youth are mentored, cultures share and celebrate their differences, and everyone connects with nature. Since 1963, the LWCF Grant Program has provided these outdoor experiences by providing funding to cities, counties, eligible districts, and state agencies for acquisition and development projects to create outdoor recreational resources. California State Parks serves an important role as the administrator of the LWCF Program through its Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS). Staff work with the NPS who administers the program at the federal level.
The recommended projects (listed by the county and city where projects are located) are:
Kern County
Delano: Eleventh Avenue Outdoor Community Pool: $2.64 million to help build a new public pool, bleachers and a pool house with restrooms.
Shafter: Shafter Community Park: $1.3 million to Shafter Recreation and Park District to acquire approximately 43 acres to create the new park.
Los Angeles County
Rosemead: Garvey Dog Park: $290,375 to Parks and Recreation to construct a new dog park with dual entrance rough iron perimeter fencing, landscaping, irrigation and drinking fountains.
South Gate: Urban Orchard Park: $3 million to create the new park. Funds would cover the following amenities: new playground, walking path and bikeway, exercise equipment, community garden, and restrooms.
Orange County
Fullerton: West Coyote Hills Acquisition: $500,000 to acquire approximately 10.4 acres of open space known as Neighborhood 1.
Tustin: Veterans Sports Park: $1.5 million to create the new park. Funds would cover the following amenities: new soccer/multi-purpose fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, baseball/softball fields and an outdoor fitness area.
Riverside County
Oasis: Oasis Community Park: $1.7 million to the Desert Recreation District to construct new sports fields and courts, playground and trails.
Sacramento County
Elk Grove: Civic Center Park: $3 million to construct a new multi-use field, outdoor gym, picnic areas, open space and natural areas, playground and tot lot, benches and overlooks, and pedestrian and bicycling trail.
Yuba County
Yuba City: Harter Park: $800,000 to the new park. Funds would cover the following amenities: new picnic areas, sports fields with disc golf goals, walkways, playground and challenge course, bicycle pump track, basketball court, restroom and parking lot.
Following NPS approval, grantees will participate in a mandatory grant administration workshop, receive grant contracts from OGALS and begin work to complete their projects.
OGALS develops grant programs to provide funding for local, state and nonprofit organization projects. Since 1964, more than 7,400 local parks throughout California have been created or improved from OGALS' grant funding. Since 2000, OGALS has administered approximately $3 billion in grant funding throughout California. For more information, please visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/grants. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/caparkgrants.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.