DEM announces $6 million in grants for local recreation projects
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The
grants will fund 27 projects across the state including new athletic fields,
playgrounds, splash parks, bike paths, walking trails, shoreline access,
basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, and various site improvements.
Since
the inception of Earth Day in 1970, efforts to improve air and water quality,
clean up contaminated lands, conserve open space, and increase recreational
opportunities have greatly enhanced Rhode Islanders' quality of life.
Over the past five decades, almost 50,000 acres of land have been protected and nearly $75 million in grants has been invested for over 500 recreation projects across the state.
Although the state and some local communities have temporarily closed parks, playgrounds, and sports fields to limit exposure to COVID-19, these closures have created a void where people used to safely recreate. The grants awarded today will help communities unlock recreation opportunities for all Rhode Islanders when it is safe to do so.
Over the past five decades, almost 50,000 acres of land have been protected and nearly $75 million in grants has been invested for over 500 recreation projects across the state.
Although the state and some local communities have temporarily closed parks, playgrounds, and sports fields to limit exposure to COVID-19, these closures have created a void where people used to safely recreate. The grants awarded today will help communities unlock recreation opportunities for all Rhode Islanders when it is safe to do so.
"The COVID-19 public health crisis has put an even sharper focus on the importance of public recreation areas and open spaces," said DEM Director Janet Coit.
"We all cherish local parks, places to stroll, courts and fields on which to play sports, and inviting outdoor havens where families and friends can recreate and relax. DEM is very pleased to support communities in meeting their priorities for local outdoor recreation and to plan for the weeks and months ahead when these special places will be reopened."
Rhode
Island's outdoor recreation industry is an increasingly important part of our
state's economy, contributing an estimated $3.3 billion annually and supporting
36,000 jobs. 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 the state's climate resilience, and
promoting a cleaner environment.
With today's award, there have been nearly 550 grant-funded projects totaling more than $80 million invested in improvements in all 39 Rhode Island communities since the inception of DEM's community recreation grant program in 1988. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 local jobs.
With today's award, there have been nearly 550 grant-funded projects totaling more than $80 million invested in improvements in all 39 Rhode Island communities since the inception of DEM's community recreation grant program in 1988. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 local jobs.
The
grants, which require a community match and range from $47,000 to $400,000, are
funded through 2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond proceeds. Categories
include large grants that range from $100,000 to $400,000 each, and small
grants of up to $100,000 each for projects of smaller cost. The state grants
will be matched by local funding to generate over $7 million in recreational
project improvements throughout Rhode Island.
Applications
were evaluated and scored by the Rhode Island Recreation Resources Review
Committee, consisting of government and non-profit members using the Open
Project Selection Process developed under the 2019 Statewide Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan. This is one of the "Green Space" grants DEM
offers to local communities; other grant funds support Local Open Space and
Recreational Trails.
DEM
Director Coit noted that the local outdoor recreation grant program funded by
green bonds is the most popular of all the grants programs at DEM in terms of
requests for funding. DEM received 55 applications for this round totaling more
than $13 million in requests but can fund fewer than half of the projects
seeking grants.
"While
we celebrate the projects that received grants, we know how disappointing it is
to not get this funding," noted Director Coit. "This process is so
competitive! Once again, DEM only had the funds to meet half the need."
Small
grants were awarded to the following projects:
Burrillville:
Hero Park Improvements, $80,000 New play area, shade structure, picnic tables,
benches, water fountain, and shed
Central
Falls: Bringing Tennis to Central Falls, $100,000 Replace existing basketball
court with 2 tennis courts and install lighting
East
Providence: Pierce Field Splash Park Construction, $100,000 New splash park in
Pierce Field
Little
Compton: Town Landing Improvements, $80,000 Establish a safe all-weather
parking area, develop a walkway from parking area to beach, plantings, restore
turf, and establish a stone memorial to benefactor
New
Shoreham: Andy's Way New Boardwalk and Beach Access Improvements, $47,000 New
universally accessible beach access boardwalk and improvements to site access
and parking
Newport:
Abruzzi Sports Complex Basketball Court Construction, $100,000 New basketball
court, bicycle storage racks, player benches, spectator bleachers, fencing
around basketball court, extension of accessible walkway, and installation of a
universally accessible water fountain
North Providence: Marieville Playground Construction, $100,000 New playground with benches, fencing, landscaping, and lighting
Portsmouth: Mt. Hope Park Sea Wall Replacement, $54,000 Replace a section of the existing sea wall
Providence: Blackstone Park Trail Network Improvements, $100,000 Trail restoration with bank stabilization, new fencing, trail maps, interpretive signage, and trail markers
Providence: Woonasquatucket Adventure Park Improvements Phase 2, $100,000 Create safe access from the Barbara Street neighborhood including improved access from Barbara Street entrance with one accessible parking space, concrete sidewalk repairs, fencing and gates, earthwork and preparation for pathway from upper portion of bike path, site preparation for playground area, picnic pavilion space, parkour area, public art, installation of bioretention rain garden, and new bicycle storage structure building
South Kingstown: Saugatucket Park Improvements, $80,000 Reclamation and paving of walking path, replace chain link fence with decorative fence, clear invasive species along fence, and replace basketball court with combination-use outdoor court for basketball and pickleball
Westerly: Bradford Preserve Walking Trail Construction, $70,800 Accessible walking trail, benches and landscaping
Large grants were awarded to the following projects:
Barrington: Walker Farm Recreation Shoreline Improvements, $230,745 Expand gravel parking lot, new accessible walkway to new boat launch, improve shore access for kayakers and rowers, new floating dock for kayaks and rowers, new platform next to dock, benches, educational signs, and plantings
Burrillville: Beckwith-Bruckshaw Lodge Recreation Center Improvements, $300,000 New playground, walking path, and parking
Charlestown: Ninigret Park New Fitness Space, $168,031 New fitness equipment and games with cement surface, new shade structure, removal and disposal of existing fencing and clearing of ice-skating rink, new solar charging stations, picnic tables, benches, and shade trees
East Greenwich: Fairfield Playground Improvements, $137,600 Installation of new universally accessible playground equipment, bench, playground safety surfacing, access walkway, new fencing
Foster: Foster Athletic Fields Construction Phase 2, $400,000 New football/soccer field, basketball and tennis court, extension of walking path, well, and sprinkler system
Glocester: Memorial Park Improvements, $400,000 Expand and relocate playground with fitness course, covered areas, benches, new bocce court with benches and shade structures, renovated basketball courts, improvements to pedestrian connection to Putnam Pike via Sherman Lane, and new signage
Hopkinton: Crandall Field Playground Improvements, $295,861 New playground to replace existing playground, underdrainage system, wood fiber surface, walkway to playground, bollards at walkway entrance, loam, and seed
North Kingstown: Town Beach Campus Playground Improvements, $400,000 Renovated walkways and playground surfacing, new accessible exercise area with four accessible play structures and three accessible equipment elements, four accessible parking spaces, concrete surfacing and bike parking, two picnic tables and three benches, sensory garden, new landscaping with rain gardens, and shade trees
North Providence: Pate Athletic Field Construction, $400,000 New multiuse athletic field for soccer/football/ lacrosse, new parking lot, new concession/restroom/equipment storage building, seating, and irrigation system
Pawtucket: Acquisition ($75,000) and Development ($400,000) of Blackstone Bikeway Along Front Street Acquisition and development of the last segment of the Blackstone River Bikeway needed to connect from Tolman High School to Central Avenue
Providence: Gotham Greens-Atwells Fire Station Path Construction, $400,000 Create 1,000-foot shared use path along the eastern bank of the Woonasquatucket River, benches, interpretive signs, riverbank restoration, native plantings, connection between the Woonasquatucket River Greenway and the Washington Secondary Trail extension currently under construction by RIDOT
Tiverton: Town Farm Recreation Area Improvements, $375,000 Replace playground incorporating accessible equipment and sensory elements, new fitness park, and modification of two of the four existing tennis courts into six full-time pickleball courts
Warren: Burrs Hill Park and Town Beach Playground Improvements, $400,000 Replace and relocate existing building to develop a new activity center with accessible bathrooms, concession stand and storage area, replace existing playground equipment, add a connecting pedestrian path from the East Bay Bike Path to Burrs Hill parking lot, and install overhead lighting
Warwick: Oakland Beach Splash Park Construction and Playground & Boardwalk Improvements, $400,000 New boardwalk, splash park, playground enhancements, coastal buffer improvements, low impact bio swales, and pedestrian plaza entry improvements
The
recreation grants are extremely competitive. 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.