Acquisition and Development of Local Parks

Program Objectives Stewardship sets aside 50% of the funds in the Local Assistance Program for projects that improve community parks and acquire land for public outdoor recreation. Funds are available to towns, villages, cities, counties, Indian tribes, and NCOs. Funds are allocated on a regional basis with 70% distributed on the basis of each county's proportionate share of the state population and 30% distributed equally to each county. Funds are allocated

on a regional basis with 70% distributed on the basis of each county's proportionate share of the state population and 30% distributed equally to each county. Funds may be used for both land acquisition projects and development projects for nature-based outdoor recreation, such as fishing piers, hiking trails and picnic facilities. Funds are not available for non nature-based activities such as baseball and soccer fields. Costs associated with operation and maintenance of parks and other outdoor recreation facilities are not eligible for Stewardship funds. NCOs may only apply for funds for land acquisition; they are not eligible for funds for development on property.

For more specific information about this program, including rating and ranking information, refer to the Grant Guidelines for the Local Assistance Program.

Deadline

The deadline for receipt of applications for this program is May 1. Applications received after this date cannot be considered until the following year.

General Provisions of the Program

This is a very competitive program, and a comprehensive ranking system has been developed to evaluate projects. For additional information on the rating and ranking system and on specific questions, refer to the Grant Guidelines for Local Assistance Program. The DNR considers the following factors when evaluating projects:

• Implements priorities contained in state and local comprehensive outdoor recreation plans
• Meets needs and deficiencies identified in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, the approved local comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, or the approved comprehensive outdoor recreation plans of other units of government including regional or integrated management plans
• Acquires land where a need for additional land acquisition is supported by an approved comprehensive outdoor recreation plan
• Is regional or statewide in nature and can be documented as such
• Documentation shows benefits to tourism
• Results in a first of a kind facility for the project sponsor or service area
• Provides or supports a water-based activity
• Serves the greatest population
• Involves volunteers, local donations or cooperation by two or more service clubs
• Applicants that have never received an outdoor recreation program grant
• Provides for completion of a project already started where the sponsor has shown the ability to provide quality outdoor recreation facilities for its citizens without grant assistance
• Sponsor has completed prior LWCF, ADLP, UGS, URGP or projects successfully.
• Involves two or more governmental agencies
• Acquires land where a need for additional land acquisition is supported by an approved comprehensive outdoor recreation plan;
• Serves as a demonstration project for other project sponsors
• Corrects a documented health or safety problem
• Renovates existing facilities which are in danger of being lost for public use
• Sponsor is able to adequately maintain and operate the area or facility
• Provides multiple season, multiple activity use
• Serves the recreation needs of elderly persons, minorities and disabled persons. Facilities provided must exceed those required by state or federal regulations

Eligible Project Examples

• Land acquisition projects that will provide opportunities for nature-based outdoor recreation.
• Property with frontage on rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries and reservoirs that will provide water-based outdoor recreation.
• Property that provides special recreation opportunities, such as floodplains, wetlands and areas adjacent to scenic highways.
• Natural areas and outstanding scenic areas where the objective is to preserve the scenic or natural values, including areas of physical or biological importance and wildlife areas. These areas shall be open to the general public for outdoor recreation use to the extent that the natural attributes of the areas will not be seriously impaired or lost.
• Land within urban areas for day-use picnic areas.
• Land for nature-based outdoor recreation trails.

Ineligible Project Examples

• Projects that are not supported by a local comprehensive outdoor recreational plan.
• Land to be used for non-nature-based outdoor recreation.
• Acquisition and development of golf courses.