On August 20 the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $7 million in competitive grant funds for 25 community parks all across the state.

Funding will help local communities create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities through projects like hike and bike trails, sensory gardens, BMX trails, dog parks, and fishing piers, just to name a few.

Three types of grants were awarded: the Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are given to cities with populations exceeding 500,000 and were awarded to the Cities of Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and Houston. The Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are given to municipalities with a population less than 500,000 and were awarded to 10 communities. The Small Community Recreation Grants are given to municipalities with a population less than 20,000 and were awarded to 11 communities.

Money for the Local Park Grants Program comes from a portion of the sporting goods sales tax through the Texas Recreation & Parks Account (TRPA) and the Texas Large County & Municipality Recreation & Parks Account (Urban Account). Additional money comes from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Program funding is appropriated annually by Congress. TPWD is the pass-through agency for local governments in Texas.

The grant funds awarded are listed below by geographic region:

Austin

Austin will receive an urban outdoor recreation grant of $849,518 to support the development of Waterloo Park. The proposal includes sidewalks, trails, bridges, a playscape, garden, wetland terrace, headwater seep, lighting, site furnishings, and signage.

The City of Brady was awarded a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 to renovate and further develop Richards Park. The proposal includes lighting of existing ballfields, bleachers, a shade structure, playground, pedestrian trail, pedestrian bridge renovations, and picnic pavilions.

The City of Brady was also granted a small community recreation grant of $75,000 to develop 4.0-acre Willie Washington Park. The proposal includes a replacement playground, installation of fall zone, shade structure, sidewalk, benches, and landscaping.

The town of Johnson City was granted a small community recreation grant of $75,000 to renovate and further develop 4-acre Community Park. The proposal includes a BMX track/skatepark, native plant garden, solar lighting, washer pits, benches, program and interpretive signage, and renovations to an existing pavilion.

The town of Valley Mills was granted a small community recreation grant of $75,000 to develop a 3.5-acre Boy Scout Park located along the shores of the Bosque River. Proposed additions include a hike and bike trail, pavilion, rainwater collection system, RV pads, beach volleyball courts, scent wall/sensory garden, and exercise stations.

Dallas

Dallas will receive an urban outdoor recreation grant of $1 million to further develop Bachman Lake Park. The proposal includes a hike/bike trail with lighting, scenic overlook, Point Nancy Carolyn enhancements, fitness loop, pavilion, drinking fountains, plant restoration, WPA/CCC stations renovation, and interpretive signage.

The town of Dublin was granted a small community recreation grant of $75,000 to renovate and further develop 5-acre City Park. The proposal includes a sand volleyball court, sensory garden, horseshoe pits, walking trail with exercise stations, hopscotch/four square, benches, picnic tables, renovation of existing tennis courts, playground area, and pool building.

The City of Flower Mound was granted a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 to further develop 243-acre Twin Coves Park located on the north shore of Lake Grapevine. The proposal includes RV sites, nature trails, RV area pavilion, cabins area pavilion, disc golf, playground, fishing pier/small boat launch, lake overlook/picnic area, horseshoe pits, trails, great lawn area, tree planting, and interpretive signage.

Gunter in Grayson County was granted a small community recreation grant of $74,579 to further develop 13.7-acre Gunter Park. The proposal includes a playground.

The town of Little Elm was granted a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $294,150 to acquire 21.9 acres and to develop 38-acre McCord Park located on the eastern side of town. The proposal includes a boardwalk, group pavilion with picnic tables, covered small pavilions with picnic tables, dog park, disc golf course, benches, interpretive signs, and landscaping.

Pilot Point in Denton County was granted a small community recreation grant of $75,000 to renovate and further develop a 1.2-acre City Park. The proposal includes a walking trail, splash pad, multi-activity play structure, pavilion, basketball court and playground renovation, adjustable basketball goal, picnic table, game tables, overhead ball toss, wheelchair swing seat, fitness stations, and scent gardens with interpretive signage.

The City of Rockwall was awarded a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 to obtain 28.8 acres by donation and develop Breezy Hill Park. The proposal includes a concrete trail, playground, picnic areas, pavilion, boardwalk, open lawn area/soccer field, and tree plantings.

The town of Throckmorton was granted a small community recreation grant of $45,863 to renovate and further develop a 0.9-acre City Park. The proposal includes a playground, basketball goal, lighting, repainting of benches and tables, new picnic tables, tree excavation, tree planting, landscaping, swing set, drinking fountain, flag pole, and barbecue pit renovation.

East Texas

The town of Center was awarded a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 to acquire additional acreage, renovate, and further develop a 3.0-acre Mini Park to include trails, pavilion, basketball court, volleyball court, landscaping, irrigation, washer pits, soccer, site amenities, and fencing

The town of Edgewood was granted a small community recreation grant of $75,000 to renovate and further develop 8.3-acre Edgewood City Park. The proposal includes restrooms and storage rooms with associated roofing, concession stand, stage, rain garden, and signage.

Longview in Gregg County will receive a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 for the acquisition of 9.4 acres to create The Green, located in the central area of the city. Proposed elements include a multi-use trail, pavilion, picnic areas, recreation amenities, landscaping, and interpretive signage.

Richland in Navarro County was granted a small community recreation grant for $10,000 to further develop Community Park. The proposal included two new playgrounds.

Houston

The City of Galveston was granted a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 to develop a community swim center on the eastern side of the island. Proposed elements include a multi-use swimming pool, bathhouse, parking, fencing, renovation of football fields and tennis courts, and walking trails.

Houston was granted an urban outdoor recreation grant of $1 million to renovate and further develop Squatty Lyons Park located north of the city. The proposal includes a T-ball field renovation, softball field with lighting, batting cages, and bleachers, renovation of adult baseball field, renovation of youth baseball field, new concession stand with restrooms, relocation of pavilion, new playground, site furnishings, picnic area, and landscaping.

Tomball will receive a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 to acquire and develop 14-acre Broussard Park. Proposed elements include a playground, multi-purpose athletic fields, walking trails with exercise equipment, picnic facilities, a fishing pier, existing pond improvements, and interpretive signage.

Panhandle

The City of Wheeler will receive a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 to renovate and further develop the Aquatic Center. The project includes swimming pool renovations, a pump house, utilites, concrete decking, picnic facilities, fencing, and a concrete driveway.

Rio Grande Valley

The City of Donna will receive a small community recreation grant of $53,662 to renovate and further develop 7.0-acre Altas Palmas and 4.8-acre Little League Parks. Proposed development for Altas Palmas Park includes dugout and concession area renovation, drinking fountain, shading for bleachers, lighting renovation, concrete, and barbecue pits. Proposed development for Little League Park includes concession area renovation, drinking fountain, aluminum bleachers, and concrete costs.

The City of Los Fresnos was granted a non-urban outdoor recreation grant of $400,000 to acquire 20 acres of land and develop Los Fresnos Nature Park. Proposed elements include a playground, trail, fishing pier, boat ramp, ampitheater, benches, picnic tables, butterfly garden, bird blind, exercise stations, drip station, habitat restoration, removal of invasive species, and interpretive signage.

Lyford was granted a small community recreation grant of $75,000 to further develop 6.6-acre Central Park. The proposal includes a lighted ballfield, ampitheater, nature viewing area/boardwalk, and associated solar lights.

El Paso

El Paso will be granted an urban outdoor recreation grant of $225,000 to develop 0.5-acre Futureland Park located in the northeast part of the city. The proposal includes a jogging trail, lighting, landscaping, irrigation, parking, covered picnic units, benches, trash cans, pet waste station, playground, basketball half court, and signage.

For additional information about the grant awards or recreation grant programs, see the TPWD recreation grants Web page http://tpwd.texas.gov/business/grants/recreation-grants.