Millions in Grants Awarded to AZ Cities & Towns

Phoenix, Arizona - On September 20, 2007, the Arizona State Parks Board awarded $10.1 million in grants from the Arizona Heritage Fund, the Land Conservation Fund, and the Recreational Trails Program. The Heritage Fund, created in November 1990, provides up to $10 million annually from Arizona Lottery proceeds. There are three competitive grant programs offered annually from these Heritage Fund dollars to provide opportunities for the public to enjoy parks and outdoor recreation, and to help preserve natural and cultural resources: Local, Regional and State Parks (LRSP), Historic Preservation, and Trails. The State Parks Board approved a total of $934,531 to 9 Historic Preservation Heritage Fund grant applicants. Seventeen percent of the State Parks Heritage Fund revenues are available annually (up to $1.7 million) to support historic preservation efforts. This program offers two cycle per year. The following Historic Preservation Heritage Grants were awarded for the 1st Cycle of 2007: - Santa Cruz County was awarded $117,500 for restoration of the 1904 Superior Courtroom Restoration. - Town of Superior was awarded $81,991 for the rehabilitation of the Magma Club. - Florence Main Street Program was awarded $150,000 for the rehabilitation of the W. C. Smith & Company Building. - City of Tucson was awarded $69,000 for Jefferson Park & Barrioo Santa Rosa NRN. - Town of Jerome was awarded $150,000 for the Sullivan Building Back Wall Stabilization. - Smoki Museum, Inc was awarded $61,018 for the rehabilitation of the Smoki Museum Roofs & HVAC. - The Children's Museum of Phoenix was awarded $128,327 for the restoration of the Children's Museum of Phoenix at the Monroe School. - Great Arizona Puppet Theater was awarded $43,200 for the rehabilitation of the Great Arizona Puppet Theater. - Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.was awarded $133,495 for restoration of the Wilson Jones House. The State Parks Board approved $4,468,118 to 10 applicants for the Local, Regional and State Parks Heritage Fund grants. The Local, Regional, and State Parks (LRSP) grant program is funded by the Arizona Lottery, and receives 35% (up to $3.5 million) of the State Parks Heritage Fund revenues annually. The revenues fund outdoor recreation projects such as ball fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds. This year the following LRSP Grants were awarded: - Casa Grande was awarded $277,544 for the Ed Hooper Rodeo Grounds Improvements. - Fountain Hills was awarded $774,920 for the Desert Vista Neighborhood Park. - Scottsdale was awarded $225,614 for the Grayhawk Community Park: Phase I - Parker was awarded $311,528 for the Parker Pool Renovation. - Lake Havasu City was awarded $285,000 for the construction of Grand Island Park Development. - The Quechan Indian Tribe was awarded $595,557 for the Quechan Nature Park Development - Eagar was awarded $634,052 for a Racquet Sports Complex. - Coconino County was awarded $766,669 for the Raymond Park & Pumphouse Greenway. - The Navajo Nation was awarded $116,761 for the Little Colorado River Viewpoint Restroom. - Show Low was awarded $480,473 for the Nikolaus Homestead Park Development. The State Parks Board approved $349,945 to six Trails Heritage Fund projects. Five percent of the State Parks Heritage Fund revenues available annually (up to $0.5 million) are allocated for grants to support acquisition and trail improvements for Arizona's trail system. This year the following Trails Heritage Grants were awarded: - The NPS-Grand Canyon National Park was awarded $56,920 for the North Kaibab Bridge Renovation. - The Prescott National Forest was awarded $11,715 for the Aspen Creek Trailhead/Trail Extension. - Flagstaff was awarded $106,086 for the Urban Trails System Signage. - The BLM Tucson Field Office was awarded $63,750 for the Arizona Trail-White Canyon Passage. - The Tonto National Forest was awarded $26,474 for the Picketpost Mountain-Alamo Canyon Passage. - Avondale was awarded $85,000 for Agua Fria River Corridor-Signage The Board approved $363,826 in Recreational Trails Programs grants for the following two grants to: - The Tonto National Forest was awarded $278,200 for the Sycamore Creek OHV Access Road Development. - The BLM-Kingman Field Office was awarded $85,626 Cerbat Mtns/White Hills OHV Improvements. The Board also approved $3,984,386 in State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIF) grants. The following twelve grants were awarded: - Bullhead City was awarded $123,000 for patrol boat replacement. - Lake Havasu City was awarded $477,500 for the London Bridge Beach Seawall, Phase II. - Lake Havasu City was awarded $220,000 for Restrooms/Public Safety Center. - Mohave County Sheriff's Office was awarded $950,000 for watercraft purchase and renovation. - La Paz County was awarded $143,000 for patrol boad replacement and purchase - La Paz County was awarded $101,000 for the Cienega Springs Boat Ramp Renovation. - La Paz County was awarded $82,170 for the renovation of the Buckskin Fire District Medical Aid Facility public parking area. - La Paz County was awarded $243,298 for the County Park Water/Electrical Replacement. - Yuma County Sheriff's Office was awarded $93,749 for Watercraft Purchase. - Winslow was awarded $703,862 for renovation of Clear Creek Lake/McHood Park dredging equipment and rescue boat. - Show Low was awarded $625,000 for the Show Lake Park Renovation. - Gila County was awarded $221,807 for renovation of Talkalai Lake. The grant process operates on an annual cycle with the exception of the Historic Preservation Heritage Grant Fund Program, which now has two cycles annually. For more grant information regarding the grant programs or grant workshop dates and locations contact Arizona State Parks at (602) 542-4174 or (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.