The 2024 Parks, Fields, Trails Grant, offered by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) in Pennsylvania, provides funding for capital projects aimed at creating, protecting, or improving publicly accessible parks, athletic fields, and trails throughout Erie County. This grant aligns with ECGRA's mission to support community assets that provide social, educational, cultural, health, recreation, and economic benefits to residents, particularly addressing the decline in physical activity and increase in preventable illnesses observed in Erie County. The program's strategic priority is to encourage healthy lifestyles, promote equitable distribution of park opportunities, and enhance local tourism by attracting athletic competitions, thereby contributing to the rejuvenation of neighborhoods and Main Streets.
The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Erie County, who will benefit from improved access to recreational facilities and opportunities for physical activity. The program targets capital improvements and programming, with a focus on enhancing public health and community well-being. Impact goals include fostering healthier lifestyles, reducing preventable illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, and improving the overall quality of life for Erie County residents. By investing in accessible green spaces and recreational infrastructure, the grant aims to create a more vibrant and healthy community environment.
Key priorities for this grant include projects that increase or improve access to recreational facilities. While athletic fields owned by school districts or universities and the purchase of maintenance equipment/vehicles are ineligible, the program supports a broad range of capital projects. Furthermore, projects exceeding $25,000 are subject to Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Law, and trail projects for motorized uses are not eligible, with e-bike restrictions for Class 1 and above. These stipulations ensure that funding is directed towards projects that maximize public benefit and adhere to specific regulatory guidelines.
Expected outcomes of the grant program include an increase in physical activity among Erie County residents and a move towards a more equitable distribution of park opportunities across the county. Measurable results will likely include the number of new or improved parks, athletic fields, and trails, as well as an assessment of the accessibility and utilization of these assets. The grant's theory of change posits that by providing funding for such improvements, ECGRA can directly influence public health, economic development through tourism, and community revitalization within Erie County. The maximum funding per application is $25,000, with an overall limit of $150,000 per grant cycle, with a grant duration of 12 months.
