The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $20.6 million in local park grants, a near record, to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities.
The competitive grants are allocated to local government entities on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis. Once funded, the sites must remain parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained and open to the public. Forty community parks statewide will gain nature trails, native gardens, playgrounds, splash pads, dog parks, sports fields, and other park amenities. The commission, which administers the local park grants program for Texas, awarded grants to projects in various categories based on community population and scope.
Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are reserved for local units of government with populations of more than 500,000. Three communities received this grant.
Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants fund park projects in municipalities under 500,000. The commission approved awards to projects in 21 communities.
Small Community Recreation Grants serve towns of less than 20,000 and were awarded to 16 communities.
For more information about the local park grants program, visit the TPWD local park grants page.
Panhandle park grant awards are listed alphabetically below:
The city of Amherst in Lamb County received a $41,059 small community grant for the Amherst City Park project. Project elements include a playground, surfacing, a sidewalk and site amenities.
The city of Brownfield in Terry County received a $750,000 nonurban outdoor grant for the Gillham-Howell Park Renovation project. The project includes a concrete trail, interpretive signage, a fishing pier, site work, utilities, native landscaping, a pavilion, a playground, pond aeration and site amenities.
The city of Dimmitt in Castro County received a $317,500 nonurban outdoor grant for the Dimmitt Splash Park project. The project includes an accessible route and a recirculating splash pad.
The city of Floydada in Floyd County received a $150,000 small community grant for development and renovation of the Floydada Skatepark.
The city of Friona in Parmer County received a $150,000 small community grant for the development of a splashpad, shade and site amenities.
The city of Fritch in Hutchinson County received a $40,000 small community grant for the development of a playground at Fritch Community Park.
The town of Ransom Canyon in Lubbock County received a $150,000 small community grant for the development and renovation of Warner-Jones Park. Project elements include tennis and pickleball court striping, a basketball court, parking, lighting, a sidewalk and site amenities.