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Saturday, September 18, 2021

$4 Million in in new state funding for Outdoor Recreation

Maybe Charlestown can get money to expand Faith’sFolly

In Charlestown, you can bike on "Faith's Folly," a 1.3 mile stretch of
asphalt installed in Ninigret Park at the insistence of Faith LaBossiere.
This project was sold to the CCA-controlled Town Council at a cost of
$7,000 but ended up costing $267,000 PLUS interest. Doncha love
the smell of fresh asphalt in the morning? Smells like PATRONAGE!
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced that $4 million in outdoor recreation matching grants is available to help local municipalities and Native American tribes acquire, develop, or renovate outdoor recreational facilities in their communities. The grant round is now open, with a deadline of Dec. 17, 2021.

Funding provided through the 2021 Beach, Clean Water and Green Bond – which Rhode Island voters approved by a margin of almost 80 percent last March – is capitalizing the grants.

Since the inception of DEM's community recreation grant program in 1988, 541 grants have been awarded and more than $85 million invested in improvements in all 39 Rhode Island communities. Recreation development grants require a 20 percent community match. Applicants can apply for either small grants for grant funding up to $100,000 or large grants for grant funding up to $400,000.

Recreation acquisition grants require a 50 percent match and are capped at $400,000. Applicants are encouraged to review the grant instructions available at www.dem.ri.gov/plangrants. Scoring criteria is established by the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

Well-planned, well-described projects in urban, distressed, and environmental justice areas will score particularly well. As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, municipal facilities play an important role in beautifying communities, supporting public health, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting a cleaner environment.

A virtual pre-application workshop is scheduled in October. Details below:

Topic: RI Outdoor Recreation Grant Round 2022

Time: Oct. 20, 2021 10 AM

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3947594847

Meeting ID: 394 759 4847 - Call in number: 1-929-205-6099

Electronic applications are encouraged and should be forwarded to Lisa McGreavy in DEM's Division of Planning and Development at lisa.mcgreavy@dem.ri.gov by 3 PM on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2021.

Proposals and supporting materials also may be mailed to Ms. McGreavy's attention at DEM, Division of Planning and Development, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908. Rhode Island municipalities and recognized Native American tribes are eligible to apply.

DEM's GreenSpace programs – which include Outdoor Recreation, Local Open Space, and Recreational Trail grants – fund land conservation, recreational land acquisition and development, and recreational trail development and improvements statewide. Rhode Island's historic parks, bikeways, and green spaces provide opportunity for public enjoyment – in addition to improving the health of the environment, strengthening the state's climate resilience, and supporting the economy.

According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 local jobs.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

Related links

2021 Beach, Clean Water & Green Economy Bond

Grant Opportunities

Ocean State Outdoors