$200 Million Program Will Begin July 1st

The people of America's cities will be richer by more than 2,000 new parks and open spaces as a result of the new "Legacy of Parks" Program to bring parks to the people announced by President Nixon. There is need to build hundreds of new parks and open spaces "where the people are." The new $200 million program would begin July 1 as funded in the President's 1972 budget.

The new program reflects the Administration's commitment to improving the environment and meeting urban recreation needs by saving fast-disappearing open spaces in high density urban areas. It is based on new legislation sought by the President and approved in the last session of Congress that consolidated four older grant-in-aid programs into one.

The "Legacy of Parks" Program will make increased park financing available on a speeded-up delivery system. Local governments will be able to obtain 50-50 matching funds for new parks, playgrounds, and open spaces, and up to 75 percent for sites that guide urban development. The new program will put emphasis on small neighborhood parks that will meet the recreation and open space needs of people in our cities and towns near their homes.

High priority will be given to the development and improvement of land already in public ownership such as undeveloped parks and playgrounds, tax delinquent lots, and property not needed by other local agencies.

Money will be available to help build swimming pools in high density and low-income neighborhoods.

Special attention will be given to projects that increase the recreational use of existing and new schools by developing adjoining park and recreational facilities for nearby residents.

Efforts also will be made to seek out innovative recreational development opportunities — air rights parks where land is at a premium, rooftop parks, multi-use areas, and parks adjoining day care and other multi-service centers.

As a special feature of the new program HUD will set aside up to $15 million available to State governments for high intensity use parks financed or operated by the State serving densely built-up areas.

The new program involves no minimum acreage limits or maximum grant limit. It is expected most sites will be under 20 acres. Any community is eligible to apply, although projects involving small neighborhood parks and day use areas in central cities and other built-up areas will receive priority, and especially those that will be developed on a timely basis for public use.

The new program can mark a major turning point in the national commitment to preserve open spaces where they can be easily available to the American people at locations within walking distance to their homes.

Land prices are going up every year and valuable open spaces are disappearing faster than we are preserving them. This new effort can reverse this trend.

In recognition of the needs of smaller towns and communities for such areas, the new program will also be available to them on the same basis as the larger cities.

The grant-in-aid delivery system is being accelerated to provide assured Federal help for high priority projects. Announcement of the program now will offer local governments a minimum of five months in which to "gear up" to make the most effective possible use of the financing.

Eligible projects could include parks, mini-parks, playgrounds, open spaces, nature study and environmental education areas, park-school sites, and also open spaces involving historic sites. Bike trails, jogging paths, and other recreation sites are also eligible.

As a part of the new delivery system, the Department will consider grant requests based on "letters of intent" to file an application. Letters of intent for qualified high priority projects will be given priority and assured funding as appropriations are available. The program will begin July 1, 1971, but letters of

Dwight F. Rettie is Director of Open Space and Urban Beautification for HUD.

Illinois Parks and Recreation    13    May/June, 1971

intent may be filed before that date. Applicants will be asked to provide assurance that they will carry out the proposed development within a year and must certify they will fully fund activities and programs for at least three years.

In order to speed action, local governments will be encouraged to include their entire annual program in a single grant request to eliminate the need for multiple applications. Before July 1, the Department will issue necessary detailed guidelines and application forms.

Under the statute authorizing the program, parks and open spaces to be included must be consistent with a comprehensive plan for the state or community. All projects and applications must be legally qualified. Under the accelerated delivery procedures, the Department will issue letters of fund assurance within appropriations available for the following three classes of high priority activities:

1. Requests to develop open space in service areas where existing public open space is under 2.5 acres per thousand population. Project development must take place within one year.

2. Requests to provide open space opportunities within a year to low- or moderate-income housing developments. These housing developments must involve 50 or more housing units and must be already existing or planned for construction.

3. Requests from a State or county to construct recreational facilities within a year on a site accessible to the Central city in the already-developed or developing part of a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA). Access might be by public transportation or by some special transit program.

Projects and requests not meeting these three criteria will compete for remaining appropriations under the Department's system for project selection. The local share of project funds may come from either public or private sources. Up to 50 percent of the local share may be credited through the donation of land or materials. Land made available under leases will also be available for assistance. Financing cannot be retroactive.

Persons interested in more information on this program can write or contact:

Sarah Segal, Team Leader
Open Space and Urban
Beautification
Department of Housing &
Urban Development
360 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Telephone: (312) 353-5926
or
Ed Levin, Asst. Regional
Administrator
Metropolitan Development
above address

Illinois Parks and Recreation    15    May/June, 1971