Texas Recreation and Parks Account, Boating Access & Recreational Trails Program Rules Review Public Hearings

Texas Recreation and Parks Texas Recreation and Parks Account, Boating AccessAccount, Boating Access

& Recreational Trails& Recreational Trails

Program Rules ReviewProgram Rules Review

Public HearingsPublic Hearings

Recreation GrantsRecreation GrantsStatement of Purpose:Statement of Purpose:

To assist communities in providing To assist communities in providing recreation and conservation recreation and conservation opportunities for the use and opportunities for the use and

enjoyment of present and future enjoyment of present and future generationsgenerations

Grant Programs Being ReviewedGrant Programs Being Reviewed

Texas Recreation and Parks AccountTexas Recreation and Parks Account– Regional Park GrantsRegional Park Grants– Outdoor Recreation GrantsOutdoor Recreation Grants– Indoor Recreation GrantsIndoor Recreation Grants– Small Community GrantsSmall Community Grants– Community Outdoor Outreach Program GrantsCommunity Outdoor Outreach Program Grants

Recreational Trail GrantsRecreational Trail Grants Boating Access GrantsBoating Access Grants

8080thth Texas Legislature Texas Legislature

Increase in competitive grant funding to Increase in competitive grant funding to $15.5 million per year$15.5 million per year

Creation of Urban Parks AccountCreation of Urban Parks Account $16.7 million appropriations riders$16.7 million appropriations riders

Sports Goods Sales Tax Distribution

TPWD94%

THC6%

$15.5 million / year appropriation:40% Urban = $6.2 million 60% TRPA = $9.3 million

Distribution - TPWD Share of Sporting Goods

TPWD Capital Account1%

TRPA (smaller municipalities)

15%

Urban Parks (larger municipalities)

10%

State ParksFund 64

74%

Distribution - Park Grants Share of Sporting Goods

Urban Parks (larger municipalities)

40%Cities/Counties 500,000+

population

TRPA (smaller municipalities)

60%

Urban Parks AccountUrban Parks Account

Cities and Counties over 500,000 populationCities and Counties over 500,000 population 13 eligible entities13 eligible entities 40% of available funds40% of available funds Not competing with TRPANot competing with TRPA Summit meeting in October to develop rulesSummit meeting in October to develop rules

Park Grants by the numbersPark Grants by the numbersFY 06-07 vs. 08-09FY 06-07 vs. 08-09

TRPA appropriation TRPA appropriation $5.6 million per year$5.6 million per year

TRPA appropriation TRPA appropriation $15.5 million per year$15.5 million per year

Rules Review TimelineRules Review Timeline

August August Staff retreatStaff retreat

September September Public Hearings/Participant Surveys: Austin, Public Hearings/Participant Surveys: Austin, Arlington, The Woodlands, Odessa, HarlingenArlington, The Woodlands, Odessa, Harlingen

October October Draft rules preparedDraft rules prepared

NovemberNovember Commission permission to publish in Commission permission to publish in Texas Texas RegisterRegister

DecemberDecember Copy available on-line @ tpwd.state.tx.us/grantsCopy available on-line @ tpwd.state.tx.us/grants

January 24, 2008January 24, 2008 Commission adopts new rulesCommission adopts new rules

Regional Recreation GrantsRegional Recreation Grants

Has been about $2 million per year Has been about $2 million per year (fed. funds)(fed. funds)

Program suspended last 2 yearsProgram suspended last 2 years 50% match50% match $750,000 to $2 million$750,000 to $2 million Outdoor / indoor recreation and conservation Outdoor / indoor recreation and conservation

projects of regional significanceprojects of regional significance Local governments / multi-jurisdictionalLocal governments / multi-jurisdictional

Scoring SystemsScoring Systems

Regional Priority Scoring SystemRegional Priority Scoring System

• Compliance at previously assisted grant project sitesCompliance at previously assisted grant project sites• Project provides for the acquisition of land for the purposes of Project provides for the acquisition of land for the purposes of A. Intensive use recreation (5 points), and/or A. Intensive use recreation (5 points), and/or

B. Significant linear greenways (5 points), and/or B. Significant linear greenways (5 points), and/or C. Conservation areas (5 points)C. Conservation areas (5 points)• Project demonstrates matching fund contributions (land, Project demonstrates matching fund contributions (land,

money, in-kind) from multiple political jurisdictions (1-5)money, in-kind) from multiple political jurisdictions (1-5)• Project is a component of a comprehensive or park and Project is a component of a comprehensive or park and

recreation master plan (1-5)recreation master plan (1-5)• Project proposes facility development which will be used or Project proposes facility development which will be used or

programmed by multiple political jurisdictions (1-5)programmed by multiple political jurisdictions (1-5)• Project demonstrates commitments for funds, resources, or Project demonstrates commitments for funds, resources, or

programming from the private sector or non-profit groups (1-5)programming from the private sector or non-profit groups (1-5)


Regional Priority Scoring SystemRegional Priority Scoring System

• Project demonstrates the dedication of publicly-owned Project demonstrates the dedication of publicly-owned non-parkland from a source other than the applicant (1-non-parkland from a source other than the applicant (1-5)5)

• Project proposes acquisition and/or development of Project proposes acquisition and/or development of significant water-based resources (1-15)significant water-based resources (1-15)

• Project proposes acquisition and/or development of a Project proposes acquisition and/or development of a significant natural resource other than water (1-10)significant natural resource other than water (1-10)

• Project proposes to link multiple political jurisdictions Project proposes to link multiple political jurisdictions with trails and/or greenbelts (5-15)with trails and/or greenbelts (5-15)

• Project promotes conservation of natural resources (1-Project promotes conservation of natural resources (1-5)5)

Topics for DiscussionTopics for Discussion

Considering restoring this program in FY2009 Considering restoring this program in FY2009

Land and Water Conservation Funds as the sole Land and Water Conservation Funds as the sole funding source (no state funds)funding source (no state funds)

Current scoring system and funding thresholds, Current scoring system and funding thresholds, are they adequate?are they adequate?

Outdoor Recreation GrantsOutdoor Recreation Grants

50% match to local 50% match to local governmentsgovernments

Land acquisitionLand acquisition Sports fieldsSports fields Boating, fishing and hunting Boating, fishing and hunting Water recreationWater recreation Picnic, camping and trailsPicnic, camping and trails PlaygroundsPlaygrounds Natural area / open space Natural area / open space

preservationpreservation Current deadline July 31Current deadline July 31 Current award ceiling $400,000Current award ceiling $400,000

Scoring SystemsScoring SystemsOutdoor Priority Scoring SystemOutdoor Priority Scoring System

• Compliance at previously assisted grant project sitesCompliance at previously assisted grant project sites• Master plan prioritiesMaster plan priorities (1-15)(1-15)• Diversity of park and recreation opportunitiesDiversity of park and recreation opportunities (1-10)(1-10)• Improved water-based park and recreation Improved water-based park and recreation

opportunities (1-6)opportunities (1-6)• Improve the geographic distribution or innovative use Improve the geographic distribution or innovative use

of park and recreation lands and facilitiesof park and recreation lands and facilities (1-10)(1-10)• Maximizes the use of development funds for basic Maximizes the use of development funds for basic

park and recreation opportunitiespark and recreation opportunities (1-25)(1-25)• Project improves park and recreation opportunities for Project improves park and recreation opportunities for

low income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk low income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk citizenscitizens (1-16)(1-16)


Outdoor Priority Scoring SystemOutdoor Priority Scoring System

• Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-20)additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-20)

• Acquisition and preservation of park and recreation lands, Acquisition and preservation of park and recreation lands, including publicly owned non-parkland (1-30)including publicly owned non-parkland (1-30)

• Renovation or adaptive reuse of an existing obsolete park and Renovation or adaptive reuse of an existing obsolete park and recreation area or facilities (1-20)recreation area or facilities (1-20)

• Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5)Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5)• Linkage to other parks and recreation areas, neighborhoods, Linkage to other parks and recreation areas, neighborhoods,

or public facilities (1-3)or public facilities (1-3)• Opportunities which enhance and encourage an appreciation Opportunities which enhance and encourage an appreciation

and preservation of site-based cultural (historical and and preservation of site-based cultural (historical and archaeological) resources (1-5)archaeological) resources (1-5)

Topics for DiscussionTopics for Discussion Restore second deadline (January 31Restore second deadline (January 31stst)) Increase award ceiling to $650,000?Increase award ceiling to $650,000? Enlist the help of outside reviewers with associated scoring Enlist the help of outside reviewers with associated scoring

criteriacriteria Revise recreation diversity criteria to reflect “major” and Revise recreation diversity criteria to reflect “major” and

“minor” activities? (i.e. athletic fields vs. horseshoes)“minor” activities? (i.e. athletic fields vs. horseshoes) Reduce the points associated with providing recreation Reduce the points associated with providing recreation

opportunities vs. support structures?opportunities vs. support structures? Delete the scoring criteria associated with site-based Delete the scoring criteria associated with site-based

cultural resourcescultural resources Delete (or revise?) criteria for at-risk youth programming as Delete (or revise?) criteria for at-risk youth programming as

it is difficult to quantifyit is difficult to quantify Add a criteria that awards points based on project proximity Add a criteria that awards points based on project proximity

to low income communitiesto low income communities

Topics for Discussion (cont.)Topics for Discussion (cont.) Is the number of points associated with the environmentally Is the number of points associated with the environmentally

responsible activities and development scoring criteria adequate? responsible activities and development scoring criteria adequate? Should the points be weighted according to investment and cutting Should the points be weighted according to investment and cutting edge technology? edge technology?

Master Plan CriteriaMaster Plan Criteria- - Reduce update requirement to every five yearsReduce update requirement to every five years

- - Allow the use of regional plans, etc. assuming they address Allow the use of regional plans, etc. assuming they address

specific needs and are adopted at the local level with public specific needs and are adopted at the local level with public input)input)

-- Or is there another way to meet the planning criteria without Or is there another way to meet the planning criteria without requiring the submission of a Parks, Recreation and Open requiring the submission of a Parks, Recreation and Open

space space plan? plan?

Indoor Recreation GrantsIndoor Recreation Grants

50% match to local 50% match to local governmentsgovernments

Athletic and sports facilitiesAthletic and sports facilities

Arts and craftsArts and crafts

Nature centersNature centers

Senior centersSenior centers

Current deadline July 31 Current deadline July 31 (propose moving the deadline to (propose moving the deadline to January 31January 31stst – beginning Jan. – beginning Jan. 2009)2009)

Current award $417,563 Current award $417,563 (propose increasing the award (propose increasing the award ceiling to $750,000 or higher)ceiling to $750,000 or higher)

Current Scoring SystemCurrent Scoring System

Indoor Priority Scoring SystemIndoor Priority Scoring System

• Compliance at previously assisted grant project sitesCompliance at previously assisted grant project sites• Master plan priorities (1-15)Master plan priorities (1-15)• Diversity of indoor recreation opportunities (1-10)Diversity of indoor recreation opportunities (1-10)• Geographic distribution or innovative use of public indoor Geographic distribution or innovative use of public indoor

recreation facilities (5-20)recreation facilities (5-20)• Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or

additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-20)additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-20)• Renovation or adaptive reuse of an existing structure (1-20)Renovation or adaptive reuse of an existing structure (1-20)• Project improves park and recreation opportunities for low Project improves park and recreation opportunities for low

income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk citizens (1-16)income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk citizens (1-16)• Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5)Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5)


Move application deadline to January 31Move application deadline to January 31stst beginning Jan. 2009beginning Jan. 2009

Increase award ceiling to $750,000? Increase award ceiling to $750,000?

Previous scoring criteria discussion may Previous scoring criteria discussion may also applyalso apply

Small Community GrantsSmall Community Grants

50% matching grants50% matching grants Communities of less Communities of less

than 20,000 populationthan 20,000 population $50,000 maximum$50,000 maximum Current deadline Current deadline

January 31January 31 Current award ceiling Current award ceiling

$50,000$50,000

Current Scoring SystemCurrent Scoring System

Small Community Priority Scoring SystemSmall Community Priority Scoring System

• Compliance at previously assisted grant project sitesCompliance at previously assisted grant project sites• Sponsor population is 2,000 or less (2)Sponsor population is 2,000 or less (2)• Diversity of recreation opportunities (1-3)Diversity of recreation opportunities (1-3)• Improve the geographic distribution or innovative use of park Improve the geographic distribution or innovative use of park

and recreation lands and facilities (1-10)and recreation lands and facilities (1-10)• Maximizes the use of development funds for basic park and Maximizes the use of development funds for basic park and

recreation opportunities (1-10)recreation opportunities (1-10)• Project improves park and recreation opportunities for low Project improves park and recreation opportunities for low

income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk citizens (1-16)income, minority, elderly, and/or youth at-risk citizens (1-16)• Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or Matching funds from sources other than the sponsor and/or

additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-10)additional outside cooperation not involving match (1-10)• Project proposes the renovation of existing obsolete recreation Project proposes the renovation of existing obsolete recreation

facilities (1-10)facilities (1-10)• Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5)Environmentally responsible activities and development (1-5)


Move application deadline to July 31Move application deadline to July 31stst beginning beginning July 31July 31stst, 2008, 2008

Increase award ceiling to $75,000?Increase award ceiling to $75,000?

Revise scoring criteria so single-purpose Revise scoring criteria so single-purpose applications can be more competitive? If so, what applications can be more competitive? If so, what other criteria should increase in weight?other criteria should increase in weight?

The relative weight of demographic criteria is quite The relative weight of demographic criteria is quite high, is this appropriate?high, is this appropriate?

Community Outdoor Outreach GrantsCommunity Outdoor Outreach Grants

No match requiredNo match required Recreation programming for Recreation programming for

underserved populationsunderserved populations Outdoor education Outdoor education Nature educationNature education Activities related to TPWD Activities related to TPWD

missionmission Current deadline February 1Current deadline February 1 Current award ceiling $30,000Current award ceiling $30,000


CO-OP Scoring SystemCO-OP Scoring System

• Sponsor has closed out all previous CO-OP grant Sponsor has closed out all previous CO-OP grant projectsprojects

• Proposed project’s primary purpose is to serve the Proposed project’s primary purpose is to serve the following participants (2-12)following participants (2-12)

• Proposed project encourages partnerships with organized Proposed project encourages partnerships with organized groups (1-4)groups (1-4)

• The number of program participants the proposed project The number of program participants the proposed project will serve (1-10)will serve (1-10)

• The extent to which the proposed project prioritizes direct The extent to which the proposed project prioritizes direct service costs (1-10)service costs (1-10)

• Extent to which sponsor funds and resources are Extent to which sponsor funds and resources are committed to the project (1-4) committed to the project (1-4)


CO-OP Scoring SystemCO-OP Scoring System

• Proposed project has a direct relationship with Texas Proposed project has a direct relationship with Texas Parks & Wildlife’s programs and/or facilities (1-5)Parks & Wildlife’s programs and/or facilities (1-5)

• Project specifically serves youth at risk (1-3)Project specifically serves youth at risk (1-3)• Project proposes activities related to Texas Parks & Project proposes activities related to Texas Parks &

Wildlife initiatives (1–5)Wildlife initiatives (1–5)• Project promotes outdoor educational activities (1-4)Project promotes outdoor educational activities (1-4)• Has applicant fulfilled all previous CO-OP grant Has applicant fulfilled all previous CO-OP grant

reimbursement requirements (negative score)reimbursement requirements (negative score)


If LBB appeal is If LBB appeal is approved, should we:approved, should we:

Add an additional Add an additional funding cycle, funding cycle, possibly in May or possibly in May or June?June?

Raise the cap from Raise the cap from current $30,000?current $30,000?

Recreational Trails GrantsRecreational Trails Grants

80% match80% match $100,000 maximum$100,000 maximum Local government or TPWD Local government or TPWD

facilitiesfacilities Trail constructionTrail construction Off-road vehicle trails also Off-road vehicle trails also

eligibleeligible Current deadline June 1Current deadline June 1 Current award ceiling Current award ceiling

$100,000$100,000


Recreational Trail GrantsRecreational Trail Grants

State Trails Advisory CommitteeState Trails Advisory Committee

– Bang for the BuckBang for the Buck– Trail Opportunities CreatedTrail Opportunities Created– Geographic DistributionGeographic Distribution– Previous AwardsPrevious Awards

Boat Access GrantsBoat Access Grants

75% match75% match $500,000 maximum$500,000 maximum Local government or Local government or

TPWD facilitiesTPWD facilities Boat Ramps, Marinas, Boat Ramps, Marinas,

Sewage PumpoutsSewage Pumpouts Current deadline June Current deadline June

30 & October 3130 & October 31 Current award ceiling Current award ceiling

$500,000$500,000

Administrative IssuesAdministrative Issues

TDLR registrationTDLR registration Definition of professional servicesDefinition of professional services Matching requirements Matching requirements Program signsProgram signs


Compliance criteriaCompliance criteria– Negative scoring criteriaNegative scoring criteria– Loss of eligibility (3-5 years) with appeal Loss of eligibility (3-5 years) with appeal

processprocess

Match from other state/federal grant Match from other state/federal grant programsprograms


Current review cyclesCurrent review cycles Proposed cyclesProposed cycles

OutdoorOutdoor July 31July 31 July 31 and Jan. 31 July 31 and Jan. 31

IndoorIndoor July 31July 31 Jan. 31 Jan. 31 (beginning 2009)(beginning 2009)

Small Comm.Small Comm. Jan. 31Jan. 31 July 31 July 31 (beginning 2008)(beginning 2008)

CO-OPCO-OP Feb. 1Feb. 1 (2 cycles if funding is restored)(2 cycles if funding is restored)

Rec. TrailsRec. Trails June 1June 1 no change no change

Boat AccessBoat Access June 30,Oct. 31 October 31 onlyJune 30,Oct. 31 October 31 only

RegionalRegional (currently suspended) (currently suspended)


Current Award CeilingsCurrent Award Ceilings Proposed CeilingsProposed Ceilings

OutdoorOutdoor $400,000$400,000 $650,000$650,000IndoorIndoor $417,563 $417,563 $750,000$750,000Small Comm.Small Comm. $50,000$50,000 $75,000$75,000CO-OPCO-OP $30,000$30,000 ??Rec. TrailsRec. Trails $100,000$100,000 $200,000$200,000Boat AccessBoat Access $500,000$500,000 (no change???)(no change???)RegionalRegional (currently suspended) (currently suspended)

For More InformationFor More Information

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/grantswww.tpwd.state.tx.us/grants

(512) 912-7124(512) 912-7124

[email protected]@tpwd.state.tx.us

Documents

Texas Recreation and Parks Account, Boating Access & Recreational Trails Program Rules Review Public Hearings