The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Thursday approved $1.3 million in competitive grants for city and county parks across the state, funding 12 out of 35 funding requests, including one in the city of Brownwood.
Money for the 10 Outdoor Recreation Grants and 2 Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants comes from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Program funding is appropriated annually by Congress. TPWD is the pass-through agency for local governments in Texas.
The city of Brownwood in Brown County has received $100,000 to support the renovation and further development of 24 acres for the Camp Bowie Soccer Complex located in the south area of the city on Calvert Road. The proposal includes soccer/ football fields, playground, pavilion, field irrigation, lighting for three fields, landscaping and xeriscape garden with drip irrigation.
The city of Belton in Bell County was granted $100,000 to support its proposal to acquire 3.26 acres by donation and develop Nolan Creek, south/southeast to Confederate Park. The proposal includes trails, picnic tables, horseshoe court, exercise stations, two acres of open space, creek improvements for kayak/canoe use, amphitheater, landscaping, and interpretive signs.
Granite Shoals in Burnet County was granted $100,000 to develop Quarry Park in the north area of the city on FM1431 and Phillips Ranch Road. The proposal includes trails, a tennis pavilion, wildflower gardens and an interpretive display.
The Sonterra Municipal Utility District southeast of Jarrell in Williamson County was granted $100,000 to support its request to obtain 4.6 acres by donation and develop north and south parks in the east area of the district. The proposal includes game tables, picnic tables with grills, benches, playground, trail with solar lighting, community gardens with drop irrigation, trees and trash cans.
The city of Center in Smith County was granted $100,000 to support its proposal to acquire 19.68 acres and further develop Center Park in the west area of the city on Roughrider Drive. The proposal includes walking and nature trails, pavilion/ restroom with picnic tables and grills, open play area with landscaping and benches, lighted softball fields, playground, and interpretive signs.
Hays County will receive a grant of $100,000 to support its proposal to acquire 31.5 acres and develop the Jacob’s Well Natural Area north/northwest of Wimberley. The proposal includes the development of an outdoor classroom, three-acre natural area dedication, playscape, crushed granite trail, interpretive signs/kiosk, five picnic tables, five benches, two wildlife/bird blinds, rainwater collection, two bike racks and native plant restoration.
The city of La Feria in Cameron County was granted $100,000 to support its proposal to develop Unger Park on 330 S. West Street. The proposal includes one covered picnic unit with water catchment, two uncovered picnic tables made of recycled materials, multi-court, practice soccer field, basketball court with fence, playground equipment, climber, volley ball court, trail, three benches, barbeque pit, horseshoes, shuffleboard, four concrete sitting balls, walkway, exercise equipment, aquatic spray feature, solar and energy efficient security lighting, landscaping, native trees, drip irrigation and signs.
In northwest Corpus Christi in Nueces County, a grant of $100,000 will be used to support acquisition of 12 acres and develop Lyondell Basell Park located on Haven Drive. The proposal includes a basketball half-court, playground, trail, exercise stations, picnic tables with grills, xeriscape area with setting, two acre natural open space, interpretive signs, drip irrigation and walkways.
The city of Bedford in Tarrant County will receive $100,000 to renovate and further develop 68 acres in Boys Ranch Park at 2801 Forest Ridge in the north area of the city. The proposal includes fishing pier/dock, trail renovation and expansion, disc golf, overlook/interpretive area, picnic tables, sheltered playground, amphitheater renovation, lake dredging/restoration, riparian area plantings with low water irrigation and interpretive signs.
El Ranchito Park south of San Benito in Cameron County has been granted $100,000 to support the development of the park. The proposal includes a softball/baseball field, soccer field, basketball court, trail, playground, sheltered picnic tables, benches, butterfly garden, landscaping, drip irrigation and interpretive signs.
Two Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants, which are given to municipalities with a population exceeding 500,000, were awarded to Fort Worth and Houston.
Fort Worth will receive a $110,000 grant to support the development of the trailhead of Trinity Park located in the west central area of the city. The proposal includes trail connections, plaza, parking, pavilion, tables, benches, restroom enclosure, drinking fountain and program sign.
Houston in Harris County has been granted $220,000 to support the development of Shady Lane Park located in the northern part of the city. The proposal includes a playground, plaza seating, benches, trail, play hill, stepping stone path, log tunnel, climbers, native plants, irrigation, park entry columns, landscaping, trash receptacles and program sign.
For more information about the grant awards or the recreation grant programs, see TPWD’s grants Web page, phone the Recreation Grants Branch at 512-389-8224 or email: Rec.Grants@tpwd.state.tx.us.
