Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission awards $20.6 million in local park grants

AUSTIN — 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.