The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $30.9 million in local park grants, a new record, to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities.
The competitive grants are allocated to local government entities on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis. Once funded, the sites must remain parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained and open to the public. Fifty community parks statewide are gaining nature trails, native landscaping, playgrounds, splash pads, sports fields, kayak launches, piers and other park amenities. The commission, which administers the local park grants program for Texas, awarded grants to projects in various categories based on community population and scope.
- Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are reserved for local units of government with populations of more than 500,000. Three communities received this grant.
- Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants fund park projects in municipalities under 500,000. The commission approved awards to projects in 21 communities.
- Small Community Recreation Grants serve towns of less than 20,000 and were awarded to 16 communities.
Parks in the Upper East Side of Texas that were awarded grants include:
The City of Carthage in Panola County received a non-urban outdoor grant for development at Turner Park. The project elements include playground equipment, lighted pavilion, native landscaping, site amenities and trails.
The City of Mount Vernon in Franklin County received a $325,000 non-urban outdoor grant for renovations and development at Little Creek Park. The project elements include a playground, resurfacing and restriping of sports courts, shade installation, site amenities, native landscaping and signage.
The City of Pineland in Sabine County received a $50,000 small community grant for sustainable and accessible improvements at Pineland Park. The project includes playground equipment and surfacing, lighting and interpretive signage. Renovations include resurfacing existing sports courts.
The City of Troup in Smith County received a $92,000 small community grant for Patriot Park. The project elements include playground equipment, accessible paths, site amenities, native landscaping and signage.
The City of Blue Ridge in Collin County received a $150,000 small community grant for Mowery Park. The project includes the new construction of a parking lot, trail and lighting.
The City of Caddo Mills in Hunt County received a $750,000 non-urban outdoor grant for phase two development at Hooten Park. The project includes a shaded inclusive playground with poured in place surfacing, pavilion, site amenities, trails, irrigated sports fields and signage.
The City of Cooper in Delta County received a $150,000 small community grant for Harmon Park. The project elements include the playground and surfacing, additional playground equipment, accessible parking and paths, native landscaping and interpretive signage.
The Upper Trinity Regional Water District in Fannin County received a $750,000 non-urban outdoor grant for phase one of an amenities project at Lake Ralph Hall in Ladonia. Project elements include trails, site amenities, wayfinding and interpretive signage, native landscaping, shade and a bird watching station.
For more information about the local park grants program, visit the TPWD local park grants page.
