California today was awarded $95 million in grant funding from the National Park Service (NPS) to improve outdoor recreation spaces in underserved communities. The funds will go to 15 California public agencies to support park projects in neighborhoods where residents currently have few opportunities to recreate and experience nature. The awards are part of the NPS Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants Program, a nationally competitive program that provides matching grants for park projects in underserved urban communities.
NPS awarded funding to every California project submitted for consideration – the most grants and the largest total amount the state has received in program history. California State Parks submits the state’s applications, working with communities to put forward the most competitive projects. The federal grants will help complement California’s Outdoors for All initiative, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom to expand equitable access to parks and the outdoors.
“This historic federal investment is an important step forward in our mission to ensure that all Californians, no matter where they live, have access to the mental, physical and social benefits that parks provide,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “I thank the National Park Service for recognizing the transformational power of neighborhood parks and selecting all 15 projects for these awards. I am excited to see the difference these parks will make in creating healthier, happier communities.”
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership is a NPS grant program established in 2014 and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The program funds the acquisition and development of new parks or substantial renovation of parks in disadvantaged communities. This is the seventh round of grants for the program, with the NPS awarding approximately $254.7 million to 54 projects in 24 states this cycle, with a maximum of $15 million per project. More information on the program is available on the California State Parks and National Park Service websites.
State Parks develops grant programs to provide funding for local, state and nonprofit organization projects. Since 1964, nearly 8,000 community parks throughout California have been created or improved from State Parks grant funding. Since 2000, the program has administered approximately $3.8 billion in grant funding throughout California.
We all have access to parks. The catch is that most of us have to work, take time off, and pay for trips to parks, like Yosemite. The project is just another welfare mommy state government handholding project for those that lack ambition and self reliance.
I don’t remember voting for this!
It is our tax money! What’s another 95 million?
TAXATION IS THEFT!
Underserved communities? Isn’t that any area besides the Capitol? Our legislature and elected representatives seem to serve only themselves, rendering the rest of us “underserved.”
15 to split $95 million? That means after the powers that be get their vigorish, each community will get around $500,000 the fed cut, the Sac cut, then the local leg. cut).
Yep. More spending money we don’t have. While $95M may be a drop in the bucket (or $254M!) with all the drops we have a $35T deficit. Try doing that with your own household budget. You won’t last long.
… and how much of the $95M will get siphoned off for pet projects by those up the food chain? Newscum and his cronies