HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 Guidelines-Parks and Trails Grants_01-22-19TOWNS AND VILLAGES PARKS AND TRAILS
GRANT PROGRAM
2019 Program Guidelines
The Tompkins County 2019 budget includes $50,000 to fund small grants for towns and villages within Tompkins County
that wish to make improvements to municipal parks and/or trails. The fund is administered by the Department of
Planning and Sustainability.
Eligible Applicants and Funding
• Only Towns and Village governments within Tompkins County are eligible to apply for these funds.
• Grant awards of up to $5,000 are available to fund improvements to publicly managed or supported parks
and/or trails.
• Municipalities may apply for more than one project or grant; however, the total approved funding for any one
municipality shall not exceed $5,000.
• A resolution from an elected body or a support letter from a Supervisor or Mayor should be included in the
application.
Eligible Projects
1. Park or trail infrastructure (ex. construction of new trail segments, water connections for restrooms or
fountains, etc.)
2. Park or trail improvements (ex. benches, trash cans, lighting, etc.)
3. Park or trail recreational equipment (ex. playground equipment, soccer goals, etc.)
4. Acquisition of land for parks or trails, including easements
5. Staffing costs, only for installing infrastructure, improvements, or equipment funded by the grant (Note:
programming and staffing for operations are not eligible for this program)
Evaluation Criteria
The proposal will be evaluated on how well it achieves the following criteria:
• Ability of the project to improve publicly owned, managed, or supported parks or trails.
• Ability of projects to be completed within six months of grant award.
Process
The grant application form will open at 9 AM on March 4, 2019 via a link on the Department of Planning and
Sustainability webpage. The application will ask for contact information, amount requested (with detailed breakdown),
project category, location, description, and timeline, SEQR requirements, and documentation of municipal support.
Project proposals will be accepted and reviewed by the Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability
with approval by the Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability. Complete proposals will be reviewed on a first come,
first served, on-going basis until funds are depleted. Within 10 business days of complete proposal submission,
applicants will be notified if their proposal will receive funding or not.
Upon approval, the County will prepare a contract for the awardee’s signature. Once the contract is executed, the
awardee will have nine months to forward copies of invoices to the County documenting expenses related to completed
work. The County will make payments to the municipality upon receipt of documentation of funds spent.
CONTACT: Darby Kiley, Associate Planner, dkiley@tompkins-co.org. 607-247-5560