$1.2 Million proposed for state recreation projects

ATLANTA — Today the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Board announced its recommendation for recreation projects totaling $1.2 million. Fifteen Georgia counties, cities and recreation authorities have been selected to move forward in the approval process. The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund helps communities acquire land, develop parks and renovate existing properties. The recreational grant program is administered through the DNR, with officials reviewing 57 applications this year. Final approval is granted by the Department of Interior.

“We were impressed by the caliber of applications received and are glad to provide assistance for these deserving projects,” said DNR’s parks director, Becky Kelley. “Public support for recreational improvements and expanding greenspace is great, and we wish we had additional funding so that more communities could benefit from this important program.”

Projects were scored based on their proximity to people and communities, conservation efforts, the threat of land being lost to development, the number of organizations helping match the funds, and other criteria. Disadvantaged communities showing the greatest potential for successful projects were awarded extra points.

This year’s recommendations are:

Wilkinson County -- $35,000 for a new picnic shelter, playground equipment, wellness stations and shuffleboard court at East Wilkinson Community Park.

Pulaski County -- $44,000 for trails, picnic facilities, a fishing platform and restrooms at Pulaski County Riverfront Park.

Baldwin County -- $45,000 to renovate ballfields and replace playground equipment.

Ben Hill County -- $50,000 for a picnic area, trail, playground and open space at Blue-Gray Park.

City of Morrow -- $50,000 to replace playground equipment at Charles Milton Daniel Park.

Dawson County -- $80,000 to refurbish campsites, a picnic area, bathhouse and beach at War Hill Park.

Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority -- $96,000 to construct a skate park, install ballfield fencing, resurface tennis courts and install an irrigation system.

Athens-Clarke County -- $100,000 to acquire greenspace.

City of Carrollton -- $100,000 to acquire a greenbelt near retail developments.

Forsyth County -- $100,000 for a playground, walking trail, horseshoe pit, volleyball, parking and restrooms at Ducktown Park.

Jefferson County -- $100,000 for ballfield fencing, irrigation, tennis court lighting and playground equipment at the Jefferson County Recreation Park expansion.

Peach County Commission -- $100,000 to construct a picnic pavilion, playground and restroom at the North Peach Park extension.

Rockdale County -- $100,000 to construct a trailhead for the South River Trail section of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area Trail, which traverses from Lithonia to Panola Mountain State Park, eventually extending to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit.

Walton County -- $100,000 to purchase 38 additional acres at Walnut Grove Park.

Warren County -- $100,000 to rehabilitate a former school site to include a baseball field.

Criteria were based on findings of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which helps guide investment in recreational assets. The 2008 - 2013 plan includes an inventory of existing recreational facilities across the state; social, demographic and recreational trends; surveys to determine supply and demand, attitudes and priorities; and recommendations.

“Georgia citizens are fortunate to have congressional members who support the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and we are certainly thankful for their dedication to outdoor recreation,” said Kelley.