COLUMBUS, OH Eleven communities and park districts throughout Ohio have been awarded grants from the federal Land & Water Conservation Fund program, which supports public outdoor recreation projects by local communities and governments, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
This year, $1,487,740 in Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) dollars are supporting 11 projects in communities across Ohio. The federal funds are earmarked for public entities to purchase land for new parks and recreation facilities, preserve critical areas and improve neighborhood parks.
“These grants have significantly helped improve outdoor recreation in our state,” said ODNR Director Sam Speck. “ Many of the parks, trails and recreation sites we enjoy today are made possible through this program.”
Since the Land and Water Conservation Fund was initiated in 1965, more than $145 million has been awarded to projects in Ohio. With the addition of local match-dollars, this has resulted in millions of dollars in local public recreation improvements throughout the state.
Funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior, LWCF grants are administered locally by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), which reviews local applications and recommends grant recipients for final federal approval.
The 11 local projects recommended for funding this year were selected from a total of 59 applicants. The federal government provides up to 50 percent reimbursement for a public outdoor recreation project through each LWCF grant, while the local agency is responsible for the remainder. Federal funds supporting the LWCF program are derived from offshore oil lease revenues and other non-tax sources.
Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Recipients, Fiscal Year 2004
|
| County/Project Sponsor |
Grant Amt |
Project |
| Lucas/Olander Park System |
$200,000 |
Western Sylvania Township Nature Park - Acquire approximately 46 acres |
|
Lake/City of Mentor
|
|
Mentor Marsh - Acquire approximately 238 acres adjacent to Mentor Marsh
|
| Delaware/Liberty Township |
$100,000 |
Liberty Park - Playground development
|
Summit/Twinsburg Township
|
$128,500 |
Hall-Hadden Park - Acquire approximately 10 acres
|
| Medina/Medina County Park District |
$200,000 |
Letha House Park - Acquire approximately 52 acres and an additional 23 acres via conservation easement
|
| Butler/Hanover Township |
$40,050 |
Hanover Memorial Park - Acquire approximately 8.5 acres
|
| Washington/City of Belpre |
$200,000 |
Civitan Park - Replace city pool |
| Shelby/Village of Ft. Loramie |
$200,000 |
Community Park - Acquire approximately 28 acres
|
|
Licking/Granville Township
|
$50,000 |
Raccoon Valley Park - Develop handicap accessible playground
|
| Darke/Village of Gettysburg |
$33,750 |
Gettysburg Nature Park Acquire approximately 9 acres
|
| Tuscarawas/City of Urichsville |
$135,440 |
Municipal Swimming Pool - Rehabilitate swimming pool
|