Arkansas awarding more than $4 million in FUN grants for outdoor recreation projects
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Monday that the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism is awarding $4.34 million in outdoor recreation grants.
The grants, which are being awarded to projects within 29 counties across the state, fall into two categories: Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods (FUN) Park grants and matching grants.
Division of Arkansas Heritage opens grant application period
Gov. Sanders said that she looks for any opportunity to get kids outdoors instead of staying inside, playing on phones and tablets.
“My administration is looking for any opportunity to get kids and families off screens and outdoors. It’s a priority for our whole state,” Sanders said. “This year’s multi-million-dollar investment in playgrounds, park facilities, and more will provide added amenities to communities from the Delta to the Ozarks. It’s all part of my goal to make Arkansas the best state in America to live, work, and raise a family.”
Secretary Shea Lewis said that the money being given to outdoor programs enriches the quality of life of Arkansans.
“The Outdoor Recreation Grants Program (ORGP) has provided $52.6 million in matching grants since 1988 and $16.4 million in FUN Park grants since 1991,” Lewis said. “These funds have undoubtedly enriched the quality of life for Arkansans statewide, fostering greater access to outdoor recreation and bolstering the vitality of local economies.”
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The 2024 matching grant recipients are:
Alma (Crawford County) to install play equipment, construct a restroom facility, and provide amenities and access at Christello Park. – $210,000
Camden (Ouachita County) to install inclusive play equipment and accessibility improvements at Carnes Park. – $210,000
Crawford County – to construct a walking trail and associated accessibility improvements at Diamond Center Complex. – $135,705
Daisy (Pike County) – to install new play equipment and improve accessibility at Daisy City Park. – $24,857
Delaplaine (Greene County) – to construct a basketball facility, ballfield fencing,, ballfield seating (incl. shade structure), access (incl. pedestrian bridge), and accessible parking at Delaplaine City Park. – $73,300
Forrest City (St. Francis County) – to provide access to restroom and programming facilities (priority), and other access and amenity improvements as funds allow (optional) at Dennis Memorial Park. – $62,241
Hot Springs (Garland County) – to construct a bicycle playground at Velocity Park. – $80,000
Huntsville (Madison County) – to construct a splashpad, restroom facility, drinking fountains, and associated accessibility improvements in Madison County Walking Trail Park – $210,000
Magnolia (Columbia County) – to install play equipment and park amenities, upgrade pavilion, and construct safety and accessibility improvements at East Side City Park. – $100,650
Mineral Springs (Howard County) – to repair and upgrade concession stand and restroom facilities and install bleachers at Bridgeman Park. – $30,500
Newport (Jackson County) – to improve accessibility and safety through parking and sidewalk repair/redesign/paving and install new play equipment at George Kell Park. – $74,176
Ozark (Franklin County) – for compliance and safety upgrades to the restroom facility (priority) and pavilion, amenity, and splashpad upgrades at West Side Park (optional if funds remain) – $80,000
Pea Ridge (Benton County) – to construct an all-inclusive play facility at North Curtis Avenue Park. – $210,000
Scott County – to construct pickleball and basketball courts, install park amenities, and improve/upgrade pavilion, soccer field, and accessibility at Sodie Davidson Park in Waldron. – $90,000
Searcy (White County) – to install field lighting at Searcy Soccer Complex and provide ADA-compliant play equipment at Berryhill Park. – $125,000
Searcy County – to repair and refurbish the pool, restrooms, and concession facility at Searcy County Civic Center and improve seating, accessibility, and lighting at Civic Center ballfields. – $110,936
Sherwood (Pulaski County) – to construct a restroom and basketball facility, install signage, lighting, and park amenities, and improve accessibility and safety at Lake Cherrywood Park. – $210,000
West Memphis (Crittenden County) – to purchase and install play equipment, provide access, improve safety, and upgrade the pavilion in Hicks Park. – $210,000
The 2024 FUN Park grant recipients are:
Ash Flat (Sharp County) – to construct a new pavilion and to install lighting and accessibility features at Ash Flat Ball Park. – $100,000
Calhoun County – to light and resurface existing walking trail at Woodberry Park. – $99,000
Calico Rock (Izard County) – to improve accessibility and install ballfield lighting and ballfield retaining wall at Earl King Park. – $99,888
Cove (Polk County) – to install new play equipment, park amenities, and accessibility improvements at Cove Memorial Park. – $100,000
Crawfordsville (Crittenden County) – to construct a pavilion, walking trail, and accessibility features at Old School Yard Park and to construct a new play area, basketball facility, ,and accessibility features at Boone Street Park. – $100,000
Egypt (Craighead County) – to install play equipment, outdoor exercise equipment, pavilion, walking track, and accessibility features in Egypt City Park. – $100,000
England (Lonoke County) – to replace outdated play equipment and construct accessibility features at Elm Street Park. – $97,470
Franklin (Izard County) – to install new play equipment, refurbish existing play equipment, and construct accessibility features at Franklin City Park. – $100,000
Glenwood (Pike County) – to construct a new play area and walkways at John Benjamin Lake Park. – $99,430
Grubbs (Jackson County) – to install new play equipment, park amenities, and to improve access at Grubbs City Park. – $100,000
Independence County – To install new play equipment and improve access at Desha Park. – $100,000
Jericho (Crittenden County) – to install new play equipment, grills, park amenities, and to improve access at Jericho Town Park. – $100,000
Keiser (Mississippi County) – to install new play equipment and park amenities at Keiser City Park. – $100,000
Madison County – to install new play equipment and improve access at Wesley Community Park. – $100,000
McNeil (Columbia County) – to construct a play area, pavilion, accessibility features, and to install park amenities at McNeil City Park. – $99,430
Newton County – to construct a walking trail, pavilion, seating, play area, and accessibility features at Parthenon Community Park. – $100,000
Ozan (Hempstead County) – to install new play area, basketball facility, accessibility features, and park amenities at Ozan Park. – $100,000
Pyatt (Marion County) – to construct a new play area, fencing, accessibility features, seating, and to repair the basketball facility at Pyatt Downtown Park. – $100,000
Searcy County – to install playground equipment and to construct a pavilion, walking trail, seating, and accessibility improvements in Witts Springs Community Park. – $100,000
Traskwood (Saline County) – to construct a new play area and access improvements in Traskwood City Park. – $97,700
Viola (Fulton County) – to construct a new play area and access improvements in Viola City Park. – $100,000
To learn more Fun Park Grants, visit ADPHT.Arkansas.Gov.
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