Meet Me at the Park
Transforming Parks and Improving Access to Play Spaces
Grant Guidelines and Application Outline
Purpose
The purpose of this grant opportunity is to fund innovative and creative projects that transform parks and improve access to inclusive play spaces for kids (aged 3-11) and their families. The intent is to create replicable model projects that provide strategies and lessons learned for application by a wide range of communities.
This program will fund park projects that achieve the goals of providing access to inclusive play spaces and increased physical activity to the most underserved communities using innovative and scalable solutions.
Availability of funds
Total amount of funding available: $750,000.
Number of grants to be awarded: 25
Grant amount: $30,000 each
A 1:1 match is required. Eligible matching funds can include cash, staff time, construction costs and design fees.
Grant funds will be distributed in full upon execution of a grant agreement.
Guidelines
- The applicant must be a state or local government park and recreation agency, (e.g., municipal park and recreation department, tribal recreation department, park district, etc.)
- The project must take place at a publicly-owned site(s) in an underserved community*.
- Considerable progress towards the project outcomes must be demonstrated by August 1, 2018.
- All projects must be completed by November 1, 2018.
- A required final report will be due to NRPA on November 16, 2018 (template to be provided).
- Opportunities for volunteerism in association with the project for members of the local community and Disney employees must be offered.
- The project must be promoted locally through the agency's own communication channels and on social media.
- Grantees will be required to administer surveys to at least 25 people at the project site once the project is completed. A survey template will be provided that can be used without an internet connection on a tablet, laptop or other mobile device.
- Eight grantees will be required to conduct a more in-depth evaluation to assess and understand how the project led to increased activity and other benefits. Evaluation tools and training will be provided for these select grantees who will perform and record observations at the site pre and post construction.
*NRPA defines underserved communities as those comprising a majority of individuals of color and/or living in poverty or near poverty. Applicants are also invited to describe what "underserved" means in their community and how the project will address specific needs and disparities.
Successful applicants will:
- Provide new or increased access to play spaces to the most underserved communities using innovative and scalable solutions.
- Show how the project will increase access to physical activity and play for kids and families.
- Demonstrate how the planning and design of the project has been a community-driven process and how the community will be engaged in the long-term success of the project.
To Learn More
To open a list of frequently asked questions please click this link.
NRPA will host a webinar on January 30, 2018 at 2 pm ET to provide an overview of the program and help answer applicant questions. To register for the webinar, please use this link.
If your question has not been answered in any of the information provided, please e-mail: PlayspacesRFA@nrpa.org
Application Due Date
Applications must be submitted by 11:59PM ET on March 1, 2018.
It is anticipated that NRPA will notify all applicants of decisions by May 30, 2018.
Please ensure responses are recorded accurately. You can save your progress and return to the application later by clicking the "Save and continue later" link in the red bar at the top of the page. Note: Only completed pages are saved - please enter a draft answer for each question on the page if you plan to save and return to your work later.
The application is available in PDF format to assist in preparation of responses, but the application MUST be submitted through this online form.
For a PDF copy please click here.