The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently approved more than $30.9 million in local park grants.
The record-breaking funding will be used to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities, according to a department news release.
The grants are allocated to local government entities on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis.
Once funded, the sites must remain parkland, properly maintained and open to the public.
“Fifty community parks statewide will gain nature trails, native landscaping, playgrounds, splash pads, sports fields, kayak launches, piers and other park amenities,” officials said in the release. “The commission, which administers the local park grants program for Texas, awarded grants to projects in various categories based on community population and scope.”
Mowery Park Blue Ridge: $150,000 for new construction of a parking lot, trail and lighting.
Hooten Park in Caddo Mills: $750,000 for phase two development, including a shaded inclusive playground with poured-in-place surfacing, pavilion, site amenities, trails, irrigated sports fields and signage.
Kirtley Park in Cleburne: $750,000 for a nature playground and surfacing, trails, native landscaping, shade installation, fencing, site amenities and restrooms.
Harmon Park in Cooper: $150,000 for the playground and surfacing, additional playground equipment, accessible parking and paths, native landscaping and interpretive signage.
Marcus Recreation Center in Dallas: $1 million for renovations.
Lily Cantú inclusive playground project in Denton: $750,000 to put toward inclusive playground equipment and surfacing along with native landscaping.
Trotter Park in Flower Mound: $750,000 for development including sports courts, inclusive playground, trails, native landscaping, picnic facilities, pavilion, shade and signage.
Fort Worth Zoo and Oak Grove Park in Fort Worth: The city’s parks and recreation department received $2 million for renovation of the zoo’s Hall of Wonders building and an additional $1.5 million for improvements at Oak Grove Park, including sports courts, shaded playground equipment, pavilions, native plantings, trails and site amenities.
Lambert Branch Park in Granbury: $150,000 for trails, access ramp to an existing boat dock and fishing pier, accessible parking, picnic facilities, solar lighting and site amenities.
Settlers Park in Grapevine: $750,000 for development of a boardwalk/pier, kayak launch, outdoor education/primitive camping area, pavilion, existing trail and fishing pier expansion, trail lighting, native landscaping, signage and site amenities.
New Fairview City Park in New Fairview: $150,000 for a multipurpose field, bleachers, multi-sport court, playground equipment, site amenities, solar lighting, exercise equipment and native landscaping.
Springtown Park in Springtown: $300,000 for renovations and development such as an inclusive playground with pour-in-place surfacing and shade, trails, cornhole game area, putting green, fitness equipment, interpretive signage and site amenities.
Lake Ralph Hall in Ladonia: The Upper Trinity Regional Water District in Fannin County received $750,000 for phase one of an amenities project to include trails, site amenities, wayfinding and interpretive signage, native landscaping, shade and a bird watching station.
McGratton Park in Weatherford: $750,000 for renovations and development including improvements to an existing skate park, playground equipment, resurfacing of sports courts, shade installation, new restroom facility, signage, site amenities and native landscaping and irrigation.
