DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Division of Recreation and Parks
NOTICE OF GRANT APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD FOR THE FLORIDA RECREATION DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) will accept Fiscal Year 2016-17 grant applications, in accordance with Rule Chapter 62D-5.053-62D-5.059, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), from local governmental entities requesting funding awards to acquire or develop land for public outdoor recreation purposes from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) established pursuant to Section 375.075, Florida Statutes (F.S.), “exclusively for projects that provide recreational enhancement and opportunities for individuals with unique abilities.” Pursuant to Section 375.075(4)(a), F.S., the Florida Legislature awarded $3 million in FRDAP funding effective July 1, 2016, for unique ability projects.
UNIQUE ABILITIES PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Eligible projects submitted for funding in Fiscal Year 2016-17 must “provide recreational enhancement and opportunities for individuals with unique abilities” which means “those projects that incorporate adaptations or modifications to the design and development of recreational resources or equipment to meet the needs of all potential participants including those with physical or developmental disabilities,” Section 375.075(4) of the Florida Statutes.
All applications received for Fiscal Year 2016-17 funding, must demonstrate projects that enhance recreational opportunities for individuals with unique abilities or will be deemed ineligible.
Pursuant to Section 375.075(4)(b), F.S., “the selection criteria used by the department for grant applications submitted pursuant to this subsection shall prioritize projects that allocate the greatest share of state funds to provide recreational enhancements and opportunities for individuals with unique abilities.” Project costs that will be the basis for this legislatively mandated prioritization must be for adaptations or modifications to the development of a "primary facility" as defined in Rule 62D-5.054, F.A.C., incorporating unique abilities. Because projects are prioritized based on amount of funding as outlined above, any proposed modification to the Physical Characteristics after the application has been submitted must be approved by the Department for funding eligibility.
The application must provide specific, detailed documentation on how the Project Site will fulfill this legislative directive in the Physical Characteristics of the Project section of the application.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD: July 27 – August 17, 2016. Completed applications must be postmarked on or before August 17, 2016. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: All local governmental entities with the legal responsibility for the provision of outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the use and benefit of the public may submit FRDAP applications during the application submission period. A local government entity is a county government, municipality (incorporated city, town or village), or an independent special district of the State of Florida with legal responsibility for the provision of outdoor recreational sites and facilities for use and benefit of the general public.
MAXIMUM GRANT REQUEST: The maximum project grant for each project application that provides recreational enhancements and opportunities for individuals with unique abilities may not exceed $500,000 in state funds.
APPLICATION INFORMATION: FRDAP application packets may be obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Operations, Land and Recreation Grants Section, Mail Station 585, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, (850)245-2501, Tamika.Bass@dep.state.fl.us, Angie.Bright@dep.state.fl.us or at http://dep.state.fl.us/lands/Land_and_Recreation/Land_Recreation.htm.
APPLICATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: For mail and carrier service deliveries, the delivery address is: Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Operations, Land and Recreation Grants Section, Mail Station 585, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: FRDAP is a competitive grant program which provides financial assistance to local governmental entities for the development or acquisition of land for public outdoor recreational purposes.
