Parks and recreation grants awarded to 15 cities
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced more than $20.25 million in grant funding awarded to 19 parks and recreation projects across the state.
Grants were awarded to 15 municipalities across Tennessee: Bolivar, Calhoun, Dunlap, Erwin, Knoxville, McMinnville, Milan, Mount Carmel, New Market, Newport, Parsons, Savannah, Selmer, Stanton, and Sunbright. Knoxville was awarded for two separate projects.
Of the funds, $18,490,470 were awarded through the Local Parks and Recreation Fund while $1.76 million were awarded from the Recreational Trails Program. Additionally, TDEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation partnered with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) to provide matching funds valued at $6.8 million to at-risk or distressed rural communities in the state as part of the Grant Opportunity Fund (GO Fund). More information about the GO Fund and how to apply for it can be found through TNECD's Rural Development programs.
The Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) provides state funding to match local government investments for communities for the purchase of lands for parks, natural areas, greenways, and recreation facilities. The funds may also be used for trail development and capital projects in parks, natural areas, and greenways. This grant requires an equal match of funds. LPRF funds were awarded to Bolivar, Erwin, Knoxville, Mount Carmel, New Market, Newport, Parsons, Savannah, Selmer, and Stanton.
| Municipality | Grant Type | Award Amount | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivar | LRPF and GO Fund | $3.5 million | Indoor pool development at Bolivar Community Center |
| Calhoun | RTP | $490,000 | Blueway enhancement and trail project |
| Dunlap | RTP and GO Fund | $525,000 | Dunlap Pump Track Park |
| Erwin | LPRF and GO Fund | $392,000 | Erwin River Landing |
| Knoxville | LPRF | $746,730 | Tennessee RiverLine McWherter Park and Suttree Landing Park improvements |
| Knoxville | RTP | $400,000 | Holston River Park Bike Skills Course |
| McMinnville | RTP | $100,000 | Bigbee River Trail and Linear Parks connectivity improvements |
| Milan | RTP | $391092, | McKellar Park restrooms |
| Mount Carmel | LPRF and GO Fund | $1.5 million | Mount Carmel Park sports areas and splash pad |
| New Market | LPRF | $1,046,225 | New Market playground and Archery Center project |
| Newport | LPRF and GO Fund | $3.5 million | Woodland Phase 1 and White Oak Redevelopment |
| Parsons | LPRF and GO Fund | $396,750 | Parsons Memorial Park project |
| Savannah | LPRF and GO Fund | $2,759,568.75 | Savannah Sportsplex improvements |
| Selmer | LPRF and GO Fund | $450,000 | Selmer City Park pool renovation and replacement |
| Stanton | LPRF and GO Fund | $562,446 | New city park development |
| Sunbright | RTP | $92,000 | Sunbright City Park recreational trail development |
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federally funded, state administered grant program that provides grant funding for land acquisition for trails, non-routine trail maintenance, trail construction, trail rehabilitation and for trail head support facilities. The funds are distributed in the form of an 80% grant with a 20% match based on the total project amount. RTP funds were awarded to Calhoun, Dunlap, Knoxville, McMinnville, Milan, and Sunbright.
In addition to the 15 municipalities receiving awards, grants were also given to Decatur, Haywood, and Unicoi counties.
More information about the LPRF and RTP programs, other grants, and upcoming grant application deadlines are available on the TDEC Office of Outdoor Recreation website.