TDEC Schedules February Workshops for Recreation Grants Programs

Workshops Assist Tennessee Public Officials, Non-profits, with Grant Application Process

Published by Editor on January 29, 2013.
Published under Events

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The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has announced a series of helpful workshops in February, designed to explain the grant application process for the department’s Recreational Trails or Tennessee Recreation Initiative programs.

Recreational Trails Program

Kicking off the 2013 Recreational Trails Program grant cycle, TDEC’s Division of Recreation Educational Services will host three workshops on Tuesday, February 12, in each grand division of the state. These workshops are specifically geared toward eligible applicants, such as government officials, parks and recreation departments and non-profit organizations.

Recreational Trails Program grants may be used for non-routine maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation, trailside or trailhead facilities such as restrooms, kiosks and parking lots, construction of new trails, and land acquisition for recreational trails or corridors. Federal, state and local government agencies may apply, as well as non-profit organizations that have obtained IRS 501(c)(3) status and have a written trail management agreement with the agency that owns the property where the trail project is located.

The February 12, 2013, workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (local times apply) at the following locations:

  • · Environment and Conservation’s Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive, Jackson, Tenn., 38305
  • · Environment and Conservation’s Downtown Nashville Central Office, 401 Church Street, L&C Tower, 17th Floor Conference Room, Nashville, Tenn., 37243
  • · Environment and Conservation’s Knoxville Environmental Field Office, 3711 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, Tenn., 37921

Funding for RTP grants is provided by the Federal Highway Administration through the federal Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act. The Department of Environment and Conservation administers this grant program for the state of Tennessee.

The application deadline for the 2013 Recreational Trails Programs grant cycle is May 3, 2013, at 4 p.m. (Central), and may be submitted in CD format (no binders will be accepted). The RTP grant is an 80/20 percent match, with a minimum grant of $20,000 ($5,000 match required) and a maximum grant of $200,000 ($50,000 match required).

For more information about the upcoming RTP application workshop or to register, contact Carol Thompson at (615) 532-0208 or carol.h.thompson@tn.gov; or contact Recreation Educational Services at (615) 532-0748 or tdec.res@tn.gov.

Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program

TDEC also is soliciting Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program grant applications from local governments that do not currently have established parks or recreation departments (or a previously established department). TRIP grants help communities create recreation opportunities for citizens by assisting with the establishment of a parks department. A workshop will be held in Nashville on Wednesday, February 20, beginning at 10 a.m. (Central) at TDEC’s Downtown Nashville Central Office (401 Church Street, L&C Tower) in the 10th Floor Conference Room.

The Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program was created in 1995 by the General Assembly and administered through TDEC. The TRIP program provides grants to hire a professional director, establish a recreation office and to hire other staff as needed. Eligible incorporated cities or county governments may apply for funding through a competitive matching grant process.

During the 2013 grant cycle, a maximum of three grants will be awarded on the basis of need and population for any city or county in Tennessee. The grant is offered over a three-year period. During the first two years of the program, the community will be required to match up to $50,000. The community is responsible for 100 percent of the funding during the third year.

TRIP grant applications are due March 29, 2013, and may be submitted on a CD (no binders will be accepted). For more information about the upcoming TRIP application workshop or to register, contact Carol Thompson at (615) 532-0208 or carol.h.thompson@tn.gov; or contact Recreation Educational Services at (615) 532-0748 or tdec.res@tn.gov.

Information about both the RTP and TRIP grants, along with other recreation or conservation-based grant programs that may be available in the future, can be found on TDEC’s website at www.tn.gov/environment/recreation/.