Marking the 50th anniversary of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the state Department of Environmental Protection executed a series of contracts for Florida park renovations and improvements.
Approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the National Park Service, the 10 projects in nine counties statewide will cost more than $1.8 million.
Founded in 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund isĀ aĀ competitive grant program designed toĀ safeguard natural areas, water resources and America’sĀ cultural heritage, as well asĀ provide recreation opportunities to the public.Ā TheĀ grant-matching program is the primary federal investment to ensure easy access to public, open spacesĀ in nearly every county in America.
LWCF provides money forĀ local communities to care for parks and recreational resources,Ā with more than 41,000 projects.Ā The Fund hasĀ supported everything from theĀ Grand Canyon National Park andĀ the Appalachian National Scenic Trail toĀ building neighborhood hiking and biking trails, improving playgrounds and ball fields.
In Florida, eight of the 10 projects received maximum grant requests of $200,000. The remaining two received $175,000 and $50,000. For each applicant dollar, the project will receive one federal dollar for all grant awards.
āLocal governments recognize the importance of providing outdoor recreation options to their residents and utilize grant match programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund to invest in their community,ā said DEP Office of Operations Director Rick Mercer. āWe are thrilled that these 10 projects are executed and we join the nation in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.ā
A few of the projects in this round of LWCF funding include:
- Construction of a playground/play area, nature trail, picnic pavilion, boardwalk, observation deck and related facilities including parking and signage at Keaton Beach Coastal Park, Taylor County
- Construction of an observation deck with walkway access, picnic pavilions and shelters, kayak and canoe launch, horseshoe court, and other related facilities at Legacy Park in the city of Venice, Sarasota County
- Development of an expanded pedestrian trail, a floating boat dock, an off-road bike trail, restroom renovations, an expanded parking lot and other related facilities at Hampton Pines Park in the city of North Lauderdale, Broward County
The Land and Recreation Grants Section within the Bureau of Financial Management administers the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Interior Department and National Park Service.
- Lucie County /Pepper Park Renovations: $175,000
- Santa Rosa County/Bagdad Mill Site Trail: $200,000
- Miami-Dade County (City of Miami Beach)/Par 3 Project: $200,000
- Taylor County/Keaton Beach Coastal Park: $50,000
- Glades County/Curry Island Trailhead: $200,000
- Sarasota County (City of Venice) /Legacy Park: $200,000
- Broward County (City of North Lauderdale)/Hampton Pines Park Improvements: $200,000
- Lake County/Lake ldamere Park: $200,000
- Escambia County/Escambia Sports Complex: $200,000
- Lake County (City of Tavares)/Woodlea Regional Sports Complex : $200,000
