ODNR Approves Grants to Further Enhance and Improve Outdoor Recreation in the Buckeye State

State and federal grants to help develop and improve public access for outdoor recreation facilities have been approved by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Parks and Recreation.

The NatureWorks and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants, which ODNR administers, will fund 64 community-based projects to create and renovate parks and outdoor recreation areas. The grants will support the acquisition of more than 133 acres of green space, the development and improvement of 16 playgrounds, and dozens of other local improvement projects.

ODNR has recommended that $1.2 million in NatureWorks grants and $494,366 in LWCF grants be awarded. To view the complete lists, please click on the following links:

NatureWorks – www.ohiodnr.com/downloads/natureworks2011.pdf
LWCF – www.ohiodnr.com/downloads/LWCF2011fundedrecommendations.pdf

“Access to outdoor recreation is key to not only providing a healthy community but also aides in economic development of the area,” said David Payne, chief of the ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation. “We strive to strengthen the connections between nature, fitness and community.”

NatureWorks provides up to 75 percent reimbursement assistance to local government subdivisions (i.e., townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts and conservancy districts) for the acquisition, development and rehabilitation of recreational areas. The projects are funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue, which was approved by Ohio voters in November 1993. It authorized the State of Ohio “to issue bonds, which will be retired from general state revenues, to finance capital improvements for state and local parks and recreation areas and to preserve Ohio’s natural areas and habitats.” Additional legislation authorized the creation of the NatureWorks Grant Program.

Similarly, the LWCF provides up to 50 percent reimbursement assistance for state and local government subdivisions (i.e., villages, and cities) for the acquisition, development and rehabilitation of recreational areas. The federal grant program is supported by offshore oil lease revenues and other non-tax sources. Many local parks, trails, pools and other outdoor recreation facilities that Ohioans enjoy today were made possible through the federal program. Since its inception in 1965, more than $150 million has been awarded to projects in Ohio.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.