Arizona State Parks Accepting Grant Applications

The National Park Service (NPS) has released guidelines for a new nationwide pilot grant program called the "Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program."

The program is for projects that will create or reinvigorate parks and other outdoor recreation spaces in ways that will encourage people, especially youth, to connect or re-connect with the outdoors. Priority will be given to projects located in urbanized communities that are economically disadvantaged and are underserved in terms of outdoor recreation resources. Guidelines were released in mid-June.

Arizona State Parks (ASP) will choose from eligible submissions located in Arizona. ASP staff will evaluate the submissions and the top two will be forwarded to NPS to compete in the national competition where between six and 12 proposals will be awarded.

If selected, additional information will be required. Please note that only a total of $3 million is available for the entire nationwide competition, with each state eligible to submit only two applications.

Arizona State Parks will hold a grant workshop on July 15 at 10 a.m. in the Board Room conference room at 1300 W. Washington St ., PHOENIX or by calling 1-877-820-7831 then enter 613038. The proposals will be accepted via mail or in-person delivery to the Arizona State Parks administrative office at 1300 W. Washington, PHOENIX, AZ 85007 until Aug. 1 at 5 p.m.

Governmental entities having populations of 50,000 or more and the counties they reside in as listed in the 2010 Census Urban Areas are eligible to apply for this grant program. Eligible projects include acquisition and/or development of public parkland and applicants can request between $250,000 and $500,000.

There is a required match from state, local or private sources. The anticipated award date is between January 1, 2015 and April 1, 2015.

To apply, download and read the grant application guide visit AZStateParks.com/grants or contact State Parks at (602) 542-4174. The deadline for the completed application package is Friday, Aug. 1, 2014 at 5 p.m.