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 ENHANCEMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) will accept Fiscal Year 2018-19 grant applications, in accordance with Rule Chapter 62D-5.053-62D-5.059, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), from local government entities requesting funding awards from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) established pursuant to section 375.075, Florida Statutes (F.S.), to acquire or develop land for public outdoor recreation “exclusively for projects that provide recreational enhancement and opportunities for children.” Pursuant to paragraph 375.075(5)(a), F.S., the Florida Legislature awarded $4 million in FRDAP funding effective July 1, 2018, for these projects.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: FRDAP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to local government entities for the development or acquisition of land for public outdoor recreation.
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS GEARED TOWARD CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12: All applications received for Fiscal Year 2018-19 funding must demonstrate projects that:
1. enhance recreational opportunities for children; and
2. include playground equipment and lighting that is adequate for evening use; and
3. specify a minimum lot size for the project; and
4. provide matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the applicant
or will be deemed ineligible.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Pursuant to paragraph 375.075(5)(b), F.S., “the selection criteria used by the Department for grant applications submitted pursuant to this subsection must give priority to projects geared toward children under the age of 12, but which also provide educational opportunities and have established safety standards. The Department shall give the highest priority to project applications that further demonstrate they will serve the needs of children with unique abilities and will be accessible and usable to those with physical and developmental disabilities. The playground equipment should be designed to serve children under the age of 12 with unique abilities, including those with physical and developmental disabilities.
Project costs that will be the basis for this legislatively mandated prioritization must be for the development of a “primary facility” as defined in Rule 62D-5.054, F.A.C. 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 will fulfill this legislative directive in the Physical Characteristics of the project section of the application.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD: August 1 – August 15, 2018. Completed applications must be postmarked on or before August 15, 2018. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: All local government entities with the legal responsibility for providing outdoor recreation sites and facilities for the use and benefit of the public may submit up to three (3) FRDAP applications during the 2018 application submission periods for FRDAP projects if at least one of those projects provides recreational enhancements and opportunities for children.
MAXIMUM GRANT REQUEST: The maximum grant for each project application that provides recreational enhancements and opportunities for children may not exceed $250,000 in state funds, which the local government must match on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
APPLICATION INFORMATION: Applications for funding must be made on Application Form DRP-106 following procedures outlined in Rule 62D-5.056, F.A.C. The Application Instructions Guide and Application Form for Fiscal Year 2018-19 submissions, as well as copies of the Rule Chapter may be obtained at https://floridadep.gov/ooo/land-and-recreation-grants/content/florida-recreation-development-assistance-program or you may contact FRDAP staff via email Tamika.Bass@dep.state.fl.us, Angie.Bright@dep.state.fl.us, by phone (850)245-2501, or U.S. Mail at Department of Environmental Protection, Land and Recreation Grants Section, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 585, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
APPLICATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: For mail and carrier service deliveries, the delivery address is: Department of Environmental Protection, Land and Recreation Grants Section, Mail Station 585, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000.
WORKSHOPS: In conjunction with the beginning of the application cycle, FRDAP staff has scheduled a workshop in Tallahassee to provide technical assistance to potential grant applicants in understanding the application and acquisition processes. The schedule with date, time, and specific location is listed below for your information. This free workshop is open to the public and no registration is required. You may also join the FRDAP staff via Skype through the links listed below. Please contact FRDAP staff at (850) 245-2501 with any questions regarding the workshop.
DATE AND TIME: July 17, 2018, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Douglas Building, Conference Rooms A and B, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399; https://meet.lync.com/floridadep/linda.reeves/BC4JVN76
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 3 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Linda Reeves, (850)245-2501. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
