Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 013 - Department of Parks and Tourism › Division 05 - Parks Division › Rule 013.05.17-003 - Outdoor Recreation Fun Park Grants Rule

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, Outdoor
				Recreation Grants Program (ORGP)
Overview:
Arkansas Department of Parks
				and Tourism's FUN Park Grant program administers grants for the development of
				public outdoor recreation facilities. These grants, which do not require a cash
				match by the grantee, are available to incorporated municipalities with
				populations of 2,500 or less and to unincorporated communities sponsored by the
				county. The program was created for these smaller communities that are often
				unable to take advantage of the Department's Matching Grant Program due to a
				required 50% match by the grantee. FUN Park Grants are funded through a portion
				of the Arkansas Real Estate Transfer Tax.
Application Cycle:
Application
				submittal deadlines are published annually in application guide.
Notification:
Information relating to
				the grant program will be provided to all eligible municipalities and counties
				annually and will be posted on ORGP website
www.outdoorgrants.com.
Eligibility:
Only incorporated
				municipalities with populations of 2,500 or less and unincorporated communities
				sponsored by the county are eligible for a FUN Park grant. Grantees will not be
				eligible to apply for future FUN Park grants within five years after they have
				received an award.
Grant Amount:
Grant amounts and number
				of grants that may be awarded annually is published in the FUN Park Grant
				application guide.
Site Visits:
Applicants must schedule
				a site visit with ORGP to provide applicant technical assistance on facility
				layout, verify site is appropriate for park development, and verify applicant's
				eligibility for a FUN Park grant.
Site Requirements:
Applicant must own
				or have at least a 25-year lease on the real estate proposed for outdoor
				recreation development. Site must be suitable for the proposed development and
				available to all citizens at all reasonable times.
Eligible Facilities:
Any fixed outdoor
				recreation facility may be funded with FUN Park grants. FUN Park grant funding
				may not be used for land acquisition, movable equipment, or recreation
				programming.
Cost Estimates:
Applicant must provide
				cost estimates for all facilities included in their application.
Accessibility:
All facilities funded
				by through the FUN Park Grant program must conform with accessibility
				guidelines established by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Playground Safety:
All playground
				facilities funded by the FUN Park Grant program must conform with playground
				safety guidelines established by Consumer Product Safety Commission
				(CPSC).
Architectural and Engineering (A/E) Services; Grant
				Administration:
The professional services of a licensed architect
				or engineer are required to oversee design, bidding and construction of grant
				project.
Selection Process:
Applications are
				considered by a Grants Advisory Committee whose members are appointed by the
				Governor. Committee recommendations are forwarded to the Department's Executive
				Director for review.
Contract:
ORGP will prepare a contract
				identifying facilities that may be developed with grant funding once a grant is
				awarded. Grantee may begin development only after the contract is signed by the
				mayor or county judge and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
				Executive Director.
Release of Funds:
Grant funds will be
				released to grantee only after a contract is signed by the mayor or county
				judge and by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Executive Director.
				Grantee may be required to return funds to the Department if development has
				not begun within one year of contract.
Procurement
: Grantee is responsible
				for following procurement laws applicable to their jurisdiction.
Financial Records
: Grantee is
				responsible for maintaining all financial records pertaining to the grant
				project and providing ORGP copies of invoices and cancelled checks or other
				proof of payment verifying that all grant funds have been spent on eligible
				costs.