Missouri Ag Connection - Missouri Receives $3 Million in Recreational Funding

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Missouri Receives $3 Million in Recreational Funding
Missouri Ag Connection - 11/16/2018

The Secretary of the Interior announced the state of Missouri will receive almost $1.86 million in federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This is in addition to the more than $1 million in funding allocated this summer from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds.

This brings Missouri's total budget for Land and Water Conservation Fund grants for federal fiscal year 2018 to almost $3 million. This is a dramatic increase from 2017, with $1.8 million apportioned to Missouri. "The additional funding will allow Missouri State Parks to grant more funding to communities throughout the state," said Ben Ellis, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of State Parks. "Recreational opportunities for Missourians are important, not only for the betterment of public health and the enjoyment of the outdoors, but also for quality of life. We are excited to partner with more communities to enhance their recreation."

Land and Water Conservation Fund grants are competitive grants to local governments and school districts for park development, including acquisition of new park land, development of new outdoor recreation facilities and renovation of existing properties.

Projects funded in 2017 include Northwest Missouri State University's Horace Mann Outdoor Classroom, St. Joseph's Bartlett Park Playground Renovation and Disc Golf Course Installation, Wentzville's Heartland Park All-Inclusive Playground and Kirksville's North Park Complex Pee-Wee Fields ADA Accessibility Project.

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