February 2018 - Parks & Recreation - 61

NRPA Provides Microgrant Funding
And information about additional funding opportunities

RPA, in partnership with The Lakeshore Foundation, awarded four local
park and recreation agencies $1,000 each in microgrant funding to implement an innovative, inclusive project. This funding is part of NRPA's
Parks for Inclusion initiative, dedicated to ensuring that everyone has
equal access to the benefits of parks and recreation.
Local park and recreation agencies
were invited to submit proposals for innovative projects or programs to create
and expand opportunities for inclusive
health and wellness programs and activities for those with physical and cognitive disabilities. The microgrants were
awarded for the following projects:
* The McBeth Recreation Center in Austin, Texas, is implementing a " Learn
to Ride Adaptive " bike program in its
facility. An adaptive cycle will be used
by community members with cognitive and physical disabilities.
* In the city of Prichard, Alabama, the
" Playing Together Project " allows
access to an intergenerational commu-

nity garden using mobile park ramps
and adaptive signage.
* Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is developing
an inclusive " Grow Up Green Club "
for preschool-age children on the autism
spectrum, as well as for typically developing children to explore nature. Following the pilot, the program will be developed into lesson plans and trainings.
* The Minneapolis Park and Recreation
Board implemented mobile sensory spaces, called " Sense Tents, " for
park users to regulate the senses and
provide a calming space when relief is
needed at events.
To learn more about NRPA's Parks for

Inclusion Initiative, visit www.nrpa.org/
parksforinclusion.
Other Funding Resources
To achieve the goal of ensuring everyone has access to a great park, NRPA
works to provide the park and recreation
community with opportunities to fund
projects that matter to their communities. Thanks to the support of partners
who understand that investment in parks
means an investment in the health and
livelihood of our communities, we're
thrilled to also offer the following grant
opportunities:
* Meet Me at the Park Play Spaces
Grants - With support from The
Walt Disney Company, NRPA is now
accepting grant applications for innovative play space projects. In addition,
the popular Meet Me at the Park Earth
Day voting campaign will take place
throughout the month of April.
* Commit to Health Healthy Out-ofSchool Time Grants - With support
from the Walmart Foundation, NRPA
is offering grants to support access to
healthy foods through the federal nutrition programs at park and recreation
sites. These grants also support the implementation of healthy eating and
physical activity standards and nutrition
education during out-of-school time.
* 10-Minute Walk Technical Assistance
- With support from The JPB Foundation and an anonymous funder, NRPA
will be offering grants and technical assistance to support planning efforts that
help cities increase access to high-quality parks within a 10-minute walk.
Visit www.nrpa.org/our-work/GrantFundraising-Resources to learn about
these and other funding resources and
the deadlines for applying.

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Parks & Recreation

February 2018 - Parks & Recreation

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