Meet Me at the Park - Play Space Grants

Meet Me at the Park - Play Space Grants

Overview: This grant program supports park and recreation agencies in creating new opportunities for play and physical activity for kids and families in underserved communities.

Total Program: 25 grants will be awarded nationwide for a total of $750,000

Award Amount: $30,000 per grant

Geographic Scope: 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories

Eligibility

Applicant Requirements:

Must be a government agency (municipal park and recreation department, tribal recreation department, park district, etc.)

Schools and daycares are NOT eligible

Park foundations may serve as fiscal agents, but the applicant must be a government agency

Applicants do not need to be current NRPA members

Previous grantees may apply

One application per agency only

Project Requirements:

Projects must be located at publicly-owned sites open to the public

Sites must be under the authority of a local, municipal, regional, or state government agency or federally recognized tribal community

Projects must serve underserved communities, defined as vulnerable populations including:

- Communities of color
- Ethnic minorities
- New Americans
- LGBTQ+ individuals
- Individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities
- Low-income populations
- Rural communities
- Tribal and indigenous populations
- Those experiencing degraded environmental quality, poor health outcomes, high stress, and/or social isolation

Communities of all sizes (rural, suburban, urban) eligible

Eligible Project Types

• Mobile Play vehicles or flexible pop-up play equipment that travel to multiple parks/recreation centers
• Trail and walking path enhancements that increase visibility, accessibility, add play elements, and/or improve wayfinding
• Play spaces (including nature play, pocket-play, and inclusive play spaces) with unique features
• Sport field/court enhancements that create or improve unique sports fields/courts encouraging community use and small-sided play
• Nature and STEM-Based Play Spaces incorporating science, technology, engineering, and math learning with loose play features

Funding Requirements

• Matching funds required: 1:1 match
• Eligible match: Cash, staff time, design fees, and construction costs
• Eligible expenses: Project design fees, construction costs, play equipment purchases, and project-specific expenses

Project Timeline

• Considerable progress toward project outcomes must be demonstrated by August 17, 2019
• All projects must be completed by December 13, 2019
• Final report due December 31, 2019 (online template provided)

Program Notes

• This is noted as the third round of this grant program
• This is the only round being offered — future funding not secured
• Program may not be offered again in the future
• Letters of support are not required but can be included

Community Engagement Requirements

• Community engagement required from design to implementation
• Opportunities for local community members to be involved in planning and implementation
• Volunteerism strongly encouraged
• Grantees must promote projects through local communication channels and social media
• Toolkit for social media and communications provided

Evaluation Requirements

• Intercept survey: All grantees required to administer surveys with minimum of 25 community members familiar with the project
• Survey template and training provided
• No internet connection required for survey administration
• In-depth evaluation: Eight grantees selected for more extensive evaluation measuring changes in use and activity levels
• Requires data collection before and after project (4 consecutive days, 3 times per day)
• NRPA staff may visit project sites; videos and photos may be shared on NRPA and partner communications channels

Contact Information:

Phone: 800.626.NRPA (6772)

Address (UPS/FedEx): 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd, Ashburn, VA 20148-4501

Address (USPS): PO BOX 530282, Atlanta, GA 30353-0282