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News Office of the Governor State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations State House Providence, RI 02903
ALMOND ANNOUNCES $6.5 MILLION IN OPEN SPACE GRANTS Governor Lincoln Almond and Department of Environmental Management Director Jan Reitsma announced today the awarding of $6.5 million in open space recreational development matching grants for 46 projects in 29 communities across the state. More than 100 acres of land from urban playgrounds to scenic beachfront will be acquired through these grants, and used for recreational and community development projects. The grant awards were announced this morning at the Casino at Roger Williams Park in Providence. The park will be receiving distressed communities grant money to convert an unused area into a horticulture center complete with classrooms and a greenhouse. "Today I am pleased to announce that we are providing $6.5 million to local communities for a host of recreational projects that will benefit all Rhode Islanders - whether they play sports, whether they enjoy walking on scenic trails, or swimming on our beautiful shoreline," said Almond. Of the total grants awarded, $5.453 million is state funding from Almond's 2000 open space bond that was approved by voters last fall. The additional $1.2 million is being provided by federal funds from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund. The state grants will be matched by local bond funds and federal grants to generate over $19 million in recreational project improvements throughout Rhode Island. "Governor Almond's initiative in placing a $34 million open space bond issue on the ballot last fall underscores the value Rhode Islanders place on open space and recreation," Said Reitsma. "The matching grants announced today will expand the recreational opportunities available to Rhode Islanders and further enhance the quality of life in local communities." These grants will enhance the state's efforts to preserve open space by establishing a diverse group of recreational facilities. The grants provide $390,122 in funding for 18 small recreation development projects including the acquisition of more than 3 acres of Westerly beachfront, construction of a skate park at Langworthy Field in Hopkinton and the installation of handicap parking, trails, benches and a basketball court at Quinnville Playground in Lincoln. The grants will also provide $5,453,483 in funding for 23 large urban and suburban projects including the development of a new soccer facility in Pawtucket and Woonsocket, and new middle school playfields in South Kingstown. Also awarded was $740,000 in grants to five distressed communities for recreational development projects including the horticultural center at Roger Williams Park and a new sports complex in Central Falls. The Rhode Island Recreation Resources Review Committee selected the 46 projects from a total of 84 applications. DEM is administering the grants. The municipalities receiving grants are as follows: Large Grants for Recreation Development Bristol - Town Beach Enhancements, site improvements, handicap accessibility, 2 soccer fields, 2 baseball fields. Open Space Grant Award $200,000 Total Project Cost $400,000 Burrillville - Hauser Memorial Field, field improvements, restroom facility, basketball court and tennis court. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $655,000 Coventry - Central Coventry Park, development of basketball court, parking, skate park, pavilion and restroom facility. Open Space Grant Award $136,808 Total Project Cost $273,616 Coventry - Briar Point Beach, restroom facility, picnic area, site improvements. Open Space Grant Award $71,311 Total Project Cost $142,622 Cranston - Briggs Farm Phase III, construction of 2 soccer / lacrosse fields, 2 tennis courts, walking trail and parking. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $1,755,000 Cumberland - Diamond Hill Park, Phase II, development of 2 soccer fields, parking area. Open Space Grant Award $75,000 Total Project Cost $150,000 East Providence - Crescent Beach Park Development: development of 10.6 acre park / walking trails, picnic areas, scenic overlooks, amphitheater, landscaping and parking. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $600,000 East Providence - Acquisition and development of 1/2 acre parcel. Development of new passive recreation park on the Ten Mile River, canoe launching, walking trail, gazebo and site improvements. Open Space Grant Award $150,000 Total Project Cost $374,000 Glocester - Chepachet Village Green - acquisition and development of 16 acres of land and development of parking, walking trails, picnic shelter and restrooms. Open Space Grant Award $298,250 Total Project Cost $596,750 Johnston - Community Center / Senior Center Project, development of 2 soccer fields, 4 tennis courts and walkways. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $680,000 Middletown - West Main Road Recreation Complex, refurbish tennis and basketball courts, parking, restrooms facility and new street hockey facility. Open Space Grant Award $52,614 Total Project Cost $105,229 Newport - Maple Ave Field, reconfiguration of baseball fields, restrooms, and site improvements. Open Space Grant Award $130,000 Total Project Cost $260,000 North Kingstown - Development of Calf Pasture Point Recreation Area. Open Space Grant Award $64,500 Total Project Cost $270,650 North Smithfield - Acquisition of 24 acre parcel adjacent to Pacheo Park. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $600,000 Pawtucket - Development of new soccer facility. 2 regulation and 2 youth soccer fields, parking, walking trails, site improvements. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $1,100,000 Providence / North Providence - Acquisition of 16 acres of land for development of passive park and multipurpose field. ** Joint application submitted by 2 municipalities. Open Space Grant Award $600,000 Total Project Cost $1,200,000 Smithfield - Deerfield Park Phase II, construction of play fields, parking and site improvements Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $600,000 South Kingstown - Asa Pond Park Renovation, renovate boat launch, parking, nature center and site improvements. Open Space Grant Award $75,000 Total Project Cost $200,00 South Kingstown - Middle School Playfields, development of baseball and softball fields, multi-purpose field, parking, restroom. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $1,814,500 Warwick - Acquisition of 56 acres for a public 9 hole golf course. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $3,010,500 Westerly - Acquisition of 3.5 acre parcel of oceanfront property for use as a Town Beach. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $2,500,000 Woonsocket - Development new soccer facility, 4 new soccer fields, concession, picnic area, parking. Open Space Grant Award $300,000 Total Project Cost $1,900,000 Small Grants for Recreation Development Barrington - Chianese Park, playground equipment, site improvements. Open Space Grant Award $17,500Total Cost $35,000 Bristol - Shoreline Access - enhance 19 shoreline public access areas. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $ 50,000 Central Falls - Blackstone River Island Park, trails, overlook, picnic areas, signage. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $ 100,000 East Providence - Dellefemine Field, site improvements, irrigation. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $ 50,000 Exeter - Chelsea Field, construction of children=s playground at the Exeter Library. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $ 50,000 Glocester - Town Hall Tot Lot, installation of benches, and playground equipment. Open Space Grant Award $12, 500 Total Cost $25,000 Hopkinton - Langworthy Field, construction of Skate Park. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost: $50,171 Jamestown - Skate park, playground and inline skating facilities. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $50,000 Johnston - Hedley Ave Park, purchase of 2 acre of land and installation of tot lot. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $ 50,000 Lincoln - Quinnville Playground, installation of handicap parking, trails, benches, basketball court. Open Space Grant Award $7,175 Total Cost $ 14,350 Middletown - Dunlap Wheeler Park, site improvements, planting, benches, picnic area. Open Space Grant Award $11,361 Total Cost $22,722 Narragansett - Christofaro Park, Basketball Court and Skate Park (80' x 80'). Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $50,000 Newport - Easton's Beach Picnic Shelter, purchase and install tables, shelter and site work. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $50,000 Pawtucket - Thomas Duffy Tot Lot, replace with age specific tot lot to meet ADA Standards. Open Space Grant Award $17,386 Total Cost $34,773 South Kingstown - Fagan Park, picnic shelter, bike racks, playground basketball court renovations. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $70,000 Warren - Baker Street Overlook, site improvements, walkways, sidewalks, sitting area. Open Space Grant Award $24,200 Total Cost $48,400 West Warwick - Flat Top Little League Field, develop baseball field at site. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $ 50,000 Westerly - White Rock Playground, replace existing playground with new modular system, rubber surface. Open Space Grant Award $25,000 Total Cost $60,000 Distressed Communities Grants for Recreational Development Central Falls - Acquisition (3 acres) and development of Higginson Avenue Sports Complex. Soccer Field, Track, Basketball Court, Baseball field and related amenities. Distressed Community Grant Award $150,000 Total Project Cost $1,851,350 Pawtucket - Development of new soccer facility. 2 regulation and 2 youth soccer fields, parking, walking trails, site improvements. Distressed Community Grant Award $150,000 Total Project Cost $ 597,381 Providence - Development of Roger Williams Park Horticultural Education Center. The center will include classrooms, workshop area, potting shed and greenhouse. Distressed Community Grant Award $150,000 Total Project Cost $303,000 West Warwick - Acquisition ( .2 acres) and development of land along the Pawtuxet River for development of a scenic overlook. Distressed Community Grant Award $140,000 Total Project Cost $175,000 Woonsocket - Development new soccer facility, 4 new soccer fields, concession, picnic area, parking. Distressed Community Grant Award $150,000 Total Project Cost $1,750,000 -30- |
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