The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved more than $8 million in competitive grant funds for community parks all across the state, funding 25 of 55 proposed projects.

Funding comes from a portion of the sales tax on sporting goods through the Texas Recreation & Parks Account and Texas Large County & Municipality Recreation & Parks Account, and from offshore gas royalties through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The purpose of these funds is for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

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, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. 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.

The grant funds awarded are listed below by geographic region:

Austin

Austin will receive an Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $725,000 to support the development of Colony District Park located in the eastern area of the city. The proposal includes trails, ballfields, pavilion, and picnic tables.

The City of Leander was awarded a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $400,000 to obtain 125.4 acres by donation and develop Lakewood Community Park in the southeast portion of the city. The proposal includes nature trail, backstops, pavilion, picnic tables, benches, canoe/kayak launch, fishing pier and a dedicated open space.

The City of Troy was granted a Small Community Recreation Grant of $75,000 to develop 2.6-acre Trojan Park located in the central area of the city. The proposal includes a splash pad, shade structure, benches and walkways.

Dallas-Fort Worth

Fort Worth will receive an Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $1 million to further develop Northwest Community Park located in the northwest part of the city. The proposal includes baseball fields, soccer/T-ball field, trail, picnic units, habitat restoration and interpretive signs.

The City of Allen was awarded a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $400,000 to obtain 50.3 acres by donation and develop 74.6-acre Watters Branch Community Park in the north area of the city on Ridgeview Drive. The proposal includes a softball field, trail and a nature play area.

Rockwall will also receive a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $400,000 to obtain 11.4 acres by donation and develop Stone Creek Park located in the north central area of the city. The proposal includes a trail, playground, fishing pier, pavilion, open lawn area, landscaping and tree planting.

The town of Italy was granted a Small Community Recreation Grant of $64,988 to renovate and further develop 9.2-acre Upchurch Ballfields located in the south area of the city. The proposal includes a playground, baseball field, pavilion and volleyball court.

East Texas

The City of Atlanta was awarded a Small Community Recreation Grant of $75,000 to renovate and further develop 6-acre McNoble Harper Park to include trails, sand volleyball, picnic tables, grills, benches, playground, butterfly garden, pavilion, game tables, landscaping and interpretive signs located in the central area of the city.

Enchanted Oaks in Henderson County will receive a Small Community Recreation Grant of $73,500 to dedicate 13.7 acres of publicly owned non-parkland and develop Enchanted Oaks Park located in the north area of town. The proposal includes a trail with lighting, benches, landscaping and interpretive signs.

Jacksonville in Cherokee County was granted $400,000 to obtain 36.5 acres by donation and further develop Nichols Park located in the southeast area of the city. The proposal includes a splash pad, lighted trail, basketball court renovation, benches, picnic tables, and 4 acres of dedicated open space.

Houston

Houston was granted an Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $830,000 to renovate and further develop Busby Park located in the north central area of the city. The proposal includes playgrounds, plaza, pavilion, benches, picnic tables, trail, exercise stations, half basketball court, backstop and tree plantings.

Deer Park will receive a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $400,000 to develop a 38.8-acre Wetlands Park located in the east central area of the city. The proposal includes wetlands restoration, trails, sensory gardens, landscaping and interpretive signage.

The Timber Lane Utility District in north Harris County was also granted a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $400,000 to acquire 33 acres to further develop the Timber Lane Recreation Area. The proposal includes a splash pad, BMX pump track, walking trails, soccer fields, exercise stations and wetland preservation.

The City of South Houston was granted a Small Community Recreation Grant of $75,000 to renovate and further develop 1-acre City Hall Park located on 1010 Dallas St. The proposal includes a playground, benches, picnic tables with grills and the renovation of an existing pavilion.

Panhandle

Levelland will receive a Small Community Recreation Grant of $35,000 to renovate playgrounds on the 1.9-acre 4th Street Park located in the northwest area of the city and 3-acre Double U Park located in the west central area of the city.

Vernon was granted a Small Community Recreation Grant of $30,000 to renovate 55.7-acre Orbison Park located in the southern area of the city. The proposal includes renovating the existing playground with an interpretive native garden, trails and a 9-hole disc golf course.

Rio Grande Valley

The City of Alamo in Hidalgo County was granted a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $400,000 to dedicate 5 acres of publicly owned non-parkland and develop Alamo Nature Park located east of U.S. Route 83. The proposal includes a splash pad, t-ball field, playground, picnic tables, sheltered benches, trail, community garden and 2 acres of dedicated open space.

McAllen was granted a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $400,000 to dedicate 54.6 acres of publicly owned non-parkland and develop the McAllen Youth Baseball Complex located in the northwest area of the city. The proposal includes trails and pond development.

Primera will receive a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $200,000 to dedicate 0.5 acres of publicly owned non-parkland and develop Primera Community Park located in the center of town. The proposal includes playscapes, handball court, picnic units, sheltered benches, trail and landscaping.

South Padre Island was awarded a Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $400,000 to dedicate 2 acres of publicly owned non-parkland and develop South Padre Island City Park. The proposal includes a basketball court, two playgrounds, pump house and a restroom.

The City of Bishop in Nueces County was granted a Small Community Recreation Grant of $75,000 to renovate and further develop 7.4-acre Bishop City Park located in the central area of the city. The proposal includes a splash pad, game tables, butterfly garden, and interpretive signs. Grant funds will also help renovate an existing trail, basketball court and playground.

Rio Grande City in Starr County was also granted a Small Community Recreation Grant of $75,000 to further develop 18.6-acre Basilio Villarreal Municipal Park to include a skate park located in the east end of the city.

Sullivan City in Hidalgo County will receive a Small Community Recreation Grant of $37,500 to develop 4-acre Memorial Park to include a splash pad located at 500 Cenizo St.

San Antonio

San Antonio will be granted an Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant of $1 million to further develop 2.5 acres of the San Antonio Botanical Garden located in the north central portion of the city. The proposal includes nature play elements, restroom/concession building and interpretive signs.

The City of Uvalde will receive a Small Community Recreation Grant of $73,675 to renovate the existing swimming pool located in the central area of the city that will also include pool decking and landscaping.

For additional information about the grant awards or recreation grant programs, see the TPWD recreation grants Web page, phone the Recreation Grants Branch at (512) 389-8224 or email:Rec.Grants@tpwd.texas.gov.