108 
105511.
Recordkeeping. 
105512.
Authorization of appropriations. 
105513.
Limitation on use of funds. 
105514.
Report. 
§ 105501. Findings 
Congress finds that— 
(1) the quality of life in urban areas is closely related to the avail-
ability of fully functional park and recreation systems including land, 
facilities, and service programs; 
(2) residents of cities need close-to-home recreational opportunities 
that are adequate to specialized urban demands, with parks and facili-
ties properly located, developed, and well maintained; 
(3) the greatest recreational deficiencies with respect to land, facili-
ties, and programs are found in many large cities, especially at the 
neighborhood level; 
(4) inadequate financing of urban recreation programs due to fiscal 
difficulties in many large cities has led to the deterioration of facilities, 
nonavailability of recreation services, and an inability to adapt rec-
reational programs to changing circumstances; and 
(5) there is no existing Federal assistance program which fully ad-
dresses the needs for physical rehabilitation and revitalization of these 
park and recreation systems. 
§ 105502. Purposes 
(a) ESTABLISH PROGRAM.—The purpose of this chapter is to authorize 
the Secretary to establish an urban park and recreation recovery program 
which would provide Federal grants to economically hard-pressed commu-
nities specifically for the rehabilitation of critically needed recreation areas, 
facilities, and development of improved recreation programs. This program 
is intended to complement existing Federal programs such as the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund and Community Development Grant Programs by 
encouraging and stimulating local governments to revitalize their park and 
recreation systems and to make long-term commitments to continuing main-
tenance of these systems. Such assistance shall be subject to such terms and 
conditions as the Secretary considers appropriate and in the public interest 
to carry out the purposes of this chapter. 
(b) IMPROVE RECREATION FACILITIES AND EXPAND RECREATION SERV-
ICES.—It is further the purpose of this chapter to improve recreation facili-
ties and expand recreation services in urban areas with a high incidence of 
crime and to help deter crime through the expansion of recreation opportu-
nities for at-risk youth. 
(c) INCREASE SECURITY.—It is the further purpose of this chapter to in-
crease the security of urban parks and to promote collaboration between 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
21:07 Sep 23, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00108
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H6161.IH
H6161
hsrobinson on DSK69SOYB1PROD with BILLS
109 
local agencies involved in parks and recreation, law enforcement, youth so-
cial services, and juvenile justice system. 
§ 105503. Definitions 
In this chapter: 
(1) AT-RISK YOUTH RECREATION GRANTS.—The term ‘‘at-risk youth 
recreation grants’’ means grants in neighborhoods and communities 
with a high prevalence of crime, particularly violent crime or crime 
committed by youthful offenders and include— 
(A) rehabilitation grants, 
(B) innovation grants, or 
(C) matching grants for continuing program support for pro-
grams of demonstrated value or success in providing constructive 
alternatives to youth at risk for engaging in criminal behavior, in-
cluding grants for operating, or coordinating recreation programs 
and services. 
(2) GENERAL PURPOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘general 
purpose local government’’ means any city, county, town, township, 
parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State, 
including the District of Columbia, and insular areas. 
(3) INNOVATION
GRANTS.—The term ‘‘innovation grants’’ means 
matching grants to local governments to cover costs of personnel, facili-
ties, equipment, supplies, or services designed to demonstrate innova-
tive and cost-effective ways to augment park and recreation opportuni-
ties at the neighborhood level and to address common problems related 
to facility operations and improved delivery of recreation service, and 
which shall exclude routine operation and maintenance activities. 
(4) INSULAR AREAS.—The term ‘‘insular areas’’ means Guam, the 
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. 
(5) MAINTENANCE.—The term ‘‘maintenance’’ means all commonly 
accepted practices necessary to keep recreation areas and facilities op-
erating in a state of good repair and to protect them from deterioration 
resulting from normal wear and tear. 
(6) PRIVATE, NONPROFIT AGENCY.—The term ‘‘private, nonprofit 
agency’’ means a community-based, non-profit organization, corpora-
tion, or association organized for purposes of providing recreational, 
conservation, and educational services directly to urban residents on ei-
ther a neighborhood or communitywide basis through voluntary dona-
tions, voluntary labor, or public or private grants. 
(7) RECOVERY ACTION PROGRAM GRANTS.—The term ‘‘recovery ac-
tion program grants’’ means matching grants to local governments for 
development of local park and recreation recovery action programs to 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
21:07 Sep 23, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00109
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H6161.IH
H6161
hsrobinson on DSK69SOYB1PROD with BILLS
110 
meet the requirements of this chapter. Such grants will be for resource 
and needs assessment, coordination, citizen involvement and planning, 
and program development activities to encourage public definition of 
goals, and develop priorities and strategies for overall recreation system 
recovery. 
(8) RECREATIONAL AREAS AND FACILITIES.—The term ‘‘recreational 
areas and facilities’’ means indoor or outdoor parks, buildings, sites, 
or other facilities which are dedicated to recreation purposes and ad-
ministered by public or private nonprofit agencies to serve the recre-
ation needs of community residents. Emphasis shall be on public facili-
ties readily accessible to residential neighborhoods, including multiple- 
use community centers which have recreation as one of their primary 
purposes, but excluding major sports arenas, exhibition areas, and con-
ference halls used primarily for commercial sports, spectator, or display 
activities. 
(9) REHABILITATION
GRANTS.—The term ‘‘rehabilitation grants’’ 
means matching capital grants to local governments for— 
(A) rebuilding, remodeling, expanding, or developing existing 
outdoor or indoor recreation areas and facilities, including im-
provements in park landscapes, buildings, and support facilities, 
but excluding routine maintenance and upkeep activities; and 
(B) lighting, emergency phones or other capital improvements 
that will improve the security of urban parks. 
(10) SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘special 
purpose local government’’ means any local or regional special district, 
public-purpose corporation or other limited political subdivision of a 
State, including but not limited to park authorities; park, conservation, 
water or sanitary districts; and school districts; 
(11) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means any State of the United 
States or any instrumentality of a State approved by the Governor, 
Puerto Rico, and insular areas. 
§ 105504. Federal assistance grants 
(a) ELIGIBLE GENERAL PURPOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.—In addition 
to eligible local governments established in accordance with section 1005(a) 
of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 (Public Law 95– 
625, 92 Stat. 3540), the Secretary may establish eligibility, in accord with 
the findings and purpose of this chapter, of other general purpose local gov-
ernments in standard metropolitan statistical areas as defined by the cen-
sus. 
(b) PRIORITY CRITERIA FOR PROJECT SELECTION AND APPROVAL.— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
21:07 Sep 23, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00110
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H6161.IH
H6161
hsrobinson on DSK69SOYB1PROD with BILLS
111 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish priority criteria for 
project selection and approval that consider such factors as— 
(A) population; 
(B) condition of existing recreation areas and facilities; 
(C) demonstrated deficiencies in access to neighborhood recre-
ation opportunities, particularly for minority, and low- and mod-
erate-income residents; 
(D) public participation in determining rehabilitation or develop-
ment needs; 
(E) the extent to which a project supports or complements tar-
get activities undertaken as part of a local government’s overall 
community development and urban revitalization program; 
(F) the extent to which a proposed project would provide em-
ployment opportunities for minorities, youth, and low- and mod-
erate-income residents in the project neighborhood and/or would 
provide for participation of neighborhood, nonprofit or tenant or-
ganizations in the proposed rehabilitation activity or in subsequent 
maintenance, staffing, or supervision of recreation areas and facili-
ties; and 
(G) the amount of State and private support for a project as 
evidenced by commitments of non-Federal resources to project 
construction or operation. 
(2) AT-RISK YOUTH RECREATION GRANTS.—For at-risk youth recre-
ation grants, the Secretary shall give a priority to each of the following 
criteria: 
(A) Programs that are targeted to youth who are at the greatest 
risk of becoming involved in violence and crime. 
(B) Programs that teach important values and life skills, includ-
ing teamwork, respect, leadership, and self-esteem. 
(C) Programs that offer tutoring, remedial education, men-
toring, and counseling in addition to recreation opportunities. 
(D) Programs that offer services during late night or other non-
school hours. 
(E) Programs that demonstrate collaboration between local park 
and recreation, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and youth social 
service agencies and nongovernmental entities, including the pri-
vate sector and community and nonprofit organizations. 
(F) Programs that leverage public or private recreation invest-
ments in the form of services, materials, or cash. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
21:07 Sep 23, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00111
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H6161.IH
H6161
hsrobinson on DSK69SOYB1PROD with BILLS