An official website of the State of Georgia.
Nearly 30 projects across Georgia supported through Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the grant applicants who have been selected to move forward in the approval process to receive approximately $8.4 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the grant applicants who have been selected to move forward in the approval process to receive approximately $8.4 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program. These funds will be used for the acquisition, development and renovation of outdoor recreation areas all across the state.
The selected applicants will be invited to submit formal application proposals which will be presented to the National Park Service for final approval. Grantees are required to match the grant award on a dollar for dollar ratio making a $17.8 million total impact on Georgia’s parks and outdoor recreation areas.
“Heading outdoors is a long-held tradition and great pastime for Georgians. Whether you are 3 or 93, the great outdoors provides limitless opportunities for mental and physical wellness, enjoying time with loved ones while safely socially distanced, or just unplugging from our busy lives.” said Mark Williams, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. “LWCF is a great tool for our state and local communities who understand the irreplaceable impact of outdoor recreation.”
LWCF has existed since 1965 with the intent on creating a partnership between the federal, state, and local governments. Grants help support communities to create close to home recreation areas by acquiring and developing park land as well as renovating local parks and outdoor recreation areas. Georgia DNR conducts biannual grant application cycles for the LWCF grants. While maneuvering through a health crisis and realizing the importance of outdoor recreation, cities and counties all over the state submitted 76 proposals requesting $19.2 million. Of the seventy-six, 27 were selected. The complete list of the 27 projects is below. For more information about LWCF and these grants, visit www.gadnr.org/lwcf.
The mission of the Department of Natural Resources is to sustain, enhance, protect and conserve Georgia’s natural, historic and cultural resources for present and future generations, while recognizing the importance of promoting the development of commerce and industry that utilize sound environmental practices.
For more information, please visit www.GADNR.org.
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2020-2021 Land and Water Conservation Fund Selections
City of Alamo
The New East Side Park, $200,000
The City of Alamo plans to renovate an existing park and create a nature trail, pavilion shelters, basketball court, and a splash pad.
City of Alpharetta
AlphaLoop Trail, $500,000
The City of Alpharetta will construct a .15-mile section of trail to connect two existing sections of the AlphaLoop Trail system.
Athens Clarke County
Macon Highway Boat Launch, $240,000
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government will acquire land and develop a non-motorized boat launch which will include a parking lot.
Bartow County
Mountain Bike Trail, $150,000
Bartow County plans to develop a mountain bike trail and park in the Wilderness Camp Greenspace area. A gravel parking area, picnic area and restroom are also a part of the project.
City of Brunswick
Orange Park Improvements, $185,150
The City of Brunswick will renovate Orange Park by making improvements to the basketball court and installing a splashpad, a restroom, a playground and picnic shelters.
City of Carrollton
Midtown Water Park, $500,000
The City of Carrollton will acquire land adjacent to the existing Midtown Water Park. Also, the City will complete renovations of the existing pool and support facilities as well as develop a playground, picnic pavilion and walking path.
City of Cedartown
Goodyear Soccer Complex, $345,000
The City of Cedartown plans to continue renovations at Goodyear Soccer Complex by constructing 3 soccer fields (2 youth sized, 1 regulation sized), lighting existing and new fields, and adding a much-needed parking lot.
GA DNR- Parks
Vogel State Park, $2,000,000
The Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division plans to use grant funds to renovate the existing campground at Vogel State Park and dredge Lake Trahlyta.
City of Douglas
Unity Park, $278,000
The City of Douglas will use grant funds to make improvements at Unity Park. Improvements will include new baseball field lights, resurfacing the basketball court, replacing the playground equipment, and picnic shelter improvements.
City of Forsyth
Country Club Park, $500,000
The City of Forsyth plans to expand the existing Country Club Park by adding an outdoor amphitheater, a covered basketball court, and a pavilion.
Gordon County
Brookshire Park, $175,000
Gordon County will develop a park on existing county-owned greenspace near the Oostanaula River by adding a picnic pavilion, parking spaces, a walking trail, and disc golf.
City of Hampton
East Hampton Community Park phase 2, $150,000
The City of Hampton plans to continue developing East Hampton Community Park. In this next phase, playground equipment will be installed, as well as the construction of a restroom and a walking trail.
City of Hawkinsville
Veterans Park, $500,000
The City of Hawkinsville plans to expand the existing Veterans Park and transform it into an active city park by adding many amenities including a splash pad, volleyball/pickleball courts, a walking path, a skatepark, playground equipment, picnic tables and a restroom.
City of Hogansville
Lake Jimmy Jackson Park, $87,500
The City of Hogansville will utilize grant funds to create a canoe/kayak launch, playground area, a volleyball court, fishing pavilions and install signage.
Jones County
Liberty Park, $220,626
Jones County will acquire land to expand Liberty Park. They will also construct new trails, install exercise stations, construct a pavilion, and rehabilitate the existing playground to create distinct areas for different age groups.
City of LaFayette
LaFayette Municipal Park, $122,500
The City of LaFayette will install a splashpad between the existing pool and ball fields at the City Municipal park.
City of Marietta
Wildwood Park, $500,000
The City of Marietta plans to utilize grant funds to develop a competition level disc golf course, new restroom, picnic area, create a new and improve the existing parking area, and other park improvements.
Meriwether County
Meriwether County/Greenville Recreation Facility, $200,000
Meriwether County plans to create a new park. Phase 1 will include an open play area, two basketball courts, playground equipment, natural surface trails, restrooms, and a dog park.
City of Monroe
Downtown Green Park, $500,000
The City of Monroe plans to construct a downtown park that will include an outdoor amphitheater, restroom, splash pad, bench swings, an entry fountain and benches throughout the park.
Putnam County
Poole Recreation Center, $195,730
Putnam County plans to expand the aquatic offerings at the Poole Recreation Complex by constructing a splash pad along with a concessions/restroom building.
City of Ringgold
Golden Mile Trail, $200,000
The City of Ringgold will continue making improvements to the Golden Mile Trail by changing the surface of the trail from gravel to concrete, creating accessible parking spaces and installing other amenities.
Rockdale County
DeCastro Trailhead Nature Center, $125,000
Rockdale County plans to create a nature center and pavilion on donated property located within the Rockdale River Trail system.
City of Rockmart
Nathan Dean Park, $125,000
The City of Rockmart will replace an existing playground with new equipment and install exercise stations along the existing walking trail.
City of Shiloh
Shiloh Walking Trail Park, $45,000
The City of Shiloh plans to improve the Shiloh Walking Trail park by repaving the existing trail, installing playground equipment, park benches and other park amenities.
City of Thomasville
Paradise Park, $200,000
The City of Thomasville will utilize grant funds to make improvements to the historic Paradise Park that will include adding a walking loop, improving the playground, enhancing the parking area, new lighting, bandstand restoration and other improvements.
Town of Turin
Community Park G, $159,250
The Town of Turin plans to develop a new park in phases. Phase 1 will include the acquisition of the land, the creation of a walking trail, pavilion, picnic tables, playground area, restrooms, parking and other park amenities.
Whitfield County
Rocky Face Ridge Trail, $50,000
Whitfield County will use grant funds to create two trail routes to the Rocky Face Ridge summit and install a vault restroom.