September 6, 2006
13 OHIO COMMUNITIES TO SHARE NEARLY $500,000 IN GRANTS FOR
OUTDOOR RECREATION, IMPROVEMENTS
 COLUMBUS, OH Local communities in 12 counties across Ohio will share $499,071 in federal Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants to improve and expand their public outdoor recreational facilities, according to recommendations made by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Grants of $50,000 each were recommended for communities in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Mercer, Putnam, Stark, Summit and Van Wert counties. Ten of the selected projects are first time LWCF recipients. Eight of the recommendations involve land acquisitions totaling more than 470 acres and development of four trail/walking paths.
| Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Recipients FY 2006 |
|
| County |
Project Sponsor |
Grant Amt |
|
Project |
|
| Auglaize |
Village of Waynesfield |
$10,000 |
|
Acquire 1.7 acres to benefit the community’s soccer program |
|
| Cuyahoga |
Village of Moreland Hills |
$50,000 |
|
Acquire 52 acres for the Forest Ridge Preserve |
|
| Geauga |
Village of South Russell |
$50,000 |
|
Acquire 86 acres for a new public park |
|
| Jackson |
City of Jackson |
$12,034 |
|
Develop an adult softball field in Harding Avenue Park |
|
| Lorain |
Eaton Township |
$18,887 |
|
Construct 3 miles of trails in the Margaret Peak Nature Preserve |
|
| Mercer |
FranklinTownship |
$50,000 |
|
Acquire 9.5 acres for expansion of Franklin Township Nature Park |
|
| Mercer |
Village of Mendon |
$50,000 |
|
Develop a 300 linear foot loop trail in the village park |
|
| Miami |
Newton Township |
$45,750 |
|
Acquire15 acres for development of a soccer field |
|
| Monroe |
Village of Clarington |
$12,400 |
|
Construct a 360-foot walking path, canoe access and fishing pier in Sunfish Creek Park. |
|
| Putnam |
Village of Continental |
$50,000 |
|
Acquire 25 acres for development of a pool, shelter house, playground and ballfields |
|
| Stark |
Perry Township |
$50,000 |
|
Acquire 31-plus acres for development of ballfields, trails, picnic areas and interpretive centers |
|
| Summit |
Summit County Metro Parks |
$50,000 |
|
Acquire 250 acres of Pond Brook South to protect a sensitive wetland with rare plants and animals |
|
| Van Wert |
Village of Willshire |
$50,000 |
|
Construct a 3,000 linear foot asphalt loop trail in Willshire Park |
|
“These grants help communities seeking to improve or increase recreational opportunities for their residents,” said ODNR Director Sam Speck. “Local parks, trails, pools and other facilities that many Ohioans enjoy today were made possible through this federal program.”
The Land & Water Conservation Fund grant program is administered in the state by the ODNR, which reviews local applications and recommends recipients for final federal approval. Since the fund was initiated in 1965, nearly $150 million has been awarded to projects in Ohio.
The 13 local projects recommended for funding this year were selected from a total of 39 applicants. The federal government provides up to 50 percent reimbursement for a public outdoor recreational project through each Land & Water Conservation Fund grant, while the local agency is responsible for the remainder. Federal funds supporting the program are derived from offshore oil lease revenues and other non-tax sources.
|