SWING INTO FUNDING

by Dr. Douglas McEwen and Dr. John R. Allen
Southern Illinois University

In the current climate of inflating costs and shrinking revenues many community parks and school systems are experiencing deteriorating conditions in their picnic areas and playgrounds. Many such areas now have damaged and unsafe equipment. Unfortunately as the costs of playground equipment continues to skyrocket, public agencies will no longer be able to afford replacements within the constraints of their current budgets. Currently, simple swings cost $300 to $400, slides $350 to $400 and climbers $200 to $1200. In addition to the maintenance of existing play areas, the high costs of play equipment and land development are prohibiting many communities from developing new playgrounds on the lands they presently own.

A real problem exists here and it is for this reason that public agencies must look to outside sources of funding in order to provide playground facilities for their constituents. One source of potential funding often overlooked by the public administrator who wants to obtain new playground equipment is the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LAWCON). This fund was created by Congress in 1964 to assist state and federal agencies in meeting present and future outdoor recrea tion needs. Aside from acquisition of outdoor recreational lands the fund provides money for the development of these lands.

In the past LAWCON has been largely associated with the acquisition and development of large outdoor recreation areas such as state parks, outstanding natural areas, or frontage on lakes, streams, and reservoirs. However, it is important to realize that "areas within urban environments such as picnic areas and playgrounds, areas contiguous or adjacent to school playgrounds, competitive non-professional sports facilities, as well as more generalized parklands" also qualify for funding. The LAWCON manual specifies that reimbursement grants are available on a matching basis for the development of "neighborhood playgrounds, bicycle paths, walking or riding trails, and competitive sports facilities including playing fields and tennis courts." Included here is playground equipment and outdoor recreation facilities on park lands or on school grounds that are available to the general public. The LAWCON fund strongly encourages development of these school grounds "provided that the facilities are not part of the normal and usual program and responsibility of educational institutions and that they otherwise meet requirements for a grant under the program." This means that development of playgrounds must be jus fied as primarily responding to the outdoor recreation needs of the general community. The fact that schools use the facilities for recess and other programs in compatable with the requirements of the law as long as adequate signs are installed, "indicating when the outdoor recreation facilities are available to the general public." Facilities solely needed to meet the physical education and athletic program requirements of a school may not receive assistance The grant application must include a schedule of the time the facility will be available to the public.

The LAWCON fund is administered in our state by the Illinois Department of Conservation. In the past funding through this program has been concentrated primarily on land acquisition. Now, however, more emphasis is being placed on development of facilities in urban areas and the climate for purchasing playground equipment is more favorable than it has ever been. Fifty to eighty percent of the total state allocation goes to local communities. As set forth by the Department of Conservation guidelines, any public recreation agency or school system could qualify as recipients for LAWCON grants and administrators of these organizations should be encouraged to investigate this source of funding.

In order to apply, first write to the Division of Grant Administration, Illinois Department of Conservation, 605 Wm. G. Stratton Building, Springfield, Illinois, 62706, or call (217) 782-7481. This office will provide the administration with a

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LAWCON manual that details requirements for out state. One general requirement of this fund is that all proposed developments must be coordinated with a Recreation or Open Space Plan. Next a grant application is submitted to the above office for review. If approved, LAWCON funds will be allocated to the project on a reimbursement basis. It is important for public administrators to realize that their organizations must have the financial capability to provide money for the total development costs since no LAWCON funds will be disbursed until the facility is completed.

The Division of Grant Administration is very cooperative in answering any question on the eligibility of organizations for funding, in assisting the completion of grant applications, and in clarifying the requirements of the law. Any public administrator in need of playground equipment should contact them today to see if they can help.

(Editors note; See also article in this issue titled, "Buddy, Can You Spare me a Grant?")

Illinois Parks and Recreation 11 September/October, 1978