Final Application Guide
for the
California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal
Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018
Rural Recreation &
Tourism Program
(RRT)
California Department of Parks and
Recreation
Office of Grants and Local Services
www.parks.ca.gov/rrt
State of California Department of Parks and Recreation
Office of Grants and Local Services
DEPARTMENT MISSION
The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION MISSION
Encouraging healthy communities by connecting people to parks, supporting innovative recreational opportunities, embracing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and delivering superior customer service, with integrity for the enrichment of all.
THE OFFICE OF GRANTS AND LOCAL SERVICES (OGALS) MISSION To address California’s diverse recreational, cultural and historical resource needs by developing grant programs, administering funds, offering technical assistance, building partnerships, and providing leadership through quality customer service.
OGALS VISION GOALS
• Proactive in meeting California’s park and recreation needs through innovative grant programs and customer service.
• Commitment to providing quality customer service in every interaction and transaction as honest, knowledgeable, and experienced grant administrators. • Sensitive to local concerns while mindful of prevailing laws, rules, and regulations.
• Responsive to the needs of applicants, grantees, non-profit organizations, local governments, tribes, and legislative members, as partners working to improve the quality of life for all Californians by creating new parks and recreation opportunities.
I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
INTENT
Rural Recreation and Tourism Program (RRT) competitive grants will create NEW RECREATION FEATURES in support of economic, tourism, and HEALTH related goals.
Competitive projects will improve the HEALTH of RESIDENTS and attract out of town VISITORS.
To qualify as RURAL, the PROJECT SITE must meet these thresholds:
1. Be in a county with a population below 500,000 people, and, in a city/town/census designated place that has a population below 50,000 people.
OR
2. Be in a county with a population below 500,000 people, and, in a city/town/census designated place that has a population below 80,000 people, provided that the county below 500,000 people has adopted State planning priorities pursuant to Government Code Section 65041.1. The applicant shall include in the RRT application a letter or other documentation from the County's Planning Agency confirming the county has adopted one or more State planning priorities found in Government Code Section 65041.1 to limit sprawl, protect environmental and agricultural resources, and encourages efficient infill development patterns within incorporated city limits.
Ineligible project sites are any of the following:
A) All projects in counties with populations above 500,000 people, regardless of city population.
AND
B) Projects in a city/town/census designated place that has a population above 50,000 people, even if the county population is below 500,000 people. For the exception, see 2 above.
FUNDING
• $23,125,000 is available.
• Use this Guide to submit RRT APPLICATIONS.
• This program is established in Public Resources Code §80090(a)-(b).
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
• Cities
• Counties
• DISTRICTS (per Public Resources Code §80090(a) and defined on page 66) 4 I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
TYPES OF PROJECTS
A PROJECT must involve either DEVELOPMENT or a combination of ACQUISITION and DEVELOPMENT to create a NEW RECREATION FEATURE(S).
While RENOVATION may be included, APPLICATIONS will be more competitive if a majority of the TOTAL PROJECT COST creates a NEW RECREATION FEATURE(S).
All PROJECTS must create or RENOVATE at least one RECREATION FEATURE. NEW RECREATION FEATURE(S) can be either outdoor or indoor. Examples of outdoor and indoor RECREATION FEATURES include but are not limited to the following:
RECREATION FEATURES (eligible examples)
• ACQUISITION of land:
• Combined with DEVELOPMENT of a NEW RECREATION FEATURE.
OR
• Already has a RECREATION FEATURE for public use at close of escrow. For EXPANSIONS, this may include acquiring adjacent land to protect viewsheds or create new access.
• Aquatic center, swimming pool, splash pad, fishing pier or paddling launch site • Amphitheater/performing arts dance, music, and theater stage • Regional Sports Complex
• Athletic fields (soccer regulation or “futbol-rapido”, baseball, softball, football) • Athletic courts (basketball, “futsal”, tennis, pickleball, etc.) • Year around complexes
• Winter recreation features: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, etc. • Summer recreation features: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, etc. • Visitor, interpretive, cultural, historical structures • Wildlife viewing structure or shade structure/COVERED PARK area • Non-motorized trail, Equestrian trail, bikeways, pedestrian/bicycle bridge • Botanical or demonstration gardens and orchards
• Recreation center/gymnasium
• Dog park
• Jogging and walking loop, par course, running track
• Gym exercise equipment (stations fixed into ground) or outdoor exercise equipment
• Disc Golf
• Open space and natural area for public recreation use • Campground (developed or primitive campsites)
• Picnic/Bar-B-Que areas
• Playground and tot lot
5 I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• Plaza, zocalo, gazebo
• Public art (mosaic tiles, sculptures, murals)
• Skate park, skating, roller blading, or ice rink, and BMX or pump track (nonmotorized bike tracks)
• Lighting to allow for extended nighttime use of an existing RECREATION FEATURE is considered a RENOVATION.
MAJOR SUPPORT AMENITIES (eligible examples)
A PROJECT may also include MAJOR SUPPORT AMENITIES such as:
• Restroom building, snack shack
• Parking lot, staging area, pathway for access to a RECREATION FEATURE • Landscaping or lighting that will be constructed throughout the PROJECT SITE As a reminder, APPLICATIONS will be more competitive if the majority of the TOTAL PROJECT COST creates a NEW RECREATION FEATURE(S).
APPLICATIONS only for MAJOR SUPPORT AMENITIES are ineligible; a project must create or RENOVATE at least one RECREATION FEATURE.
GRANT AMOUNT PER APPLICATION
• Maximum grant request per APPLICATION/PROJECT SITE: $3,000,000 • Minimum grant request per APPLICATION/PROJECT SITE: $200,000 One PROJECT SITE = One Application:
Each PROJECT SITE requires its own, separate APPLICATION. Only one APPLICATION, requesting up to $3 million, may be submitted for the same PROJECT SITE.
Multiple PROJECT SITES = Multiple Applications:
An APPLICANT may submit multiple APPLICATIONS for different PROJECT SITES. An
APPLICANT can potentially receive multiple GRANT awards that total more than $3 million.
There is no limit to the number of grant awards an APPLICANT may receive.
No MATCH is required if:
The PROJECT SITE’S area has a median household income of $56,982 or less according to the Community FactFinder. *The GRANT by itself may fund the entire PROJECT.
MATCH is required if:
The PROJECT SITE’S area has a median household income above $56,982 according to the Community FactFinder. *If the median household income is above $56,982, the GRANT can fund up to 80% of the TOTAL PROJECT COST. MATCH is at least (no less than) 20% of the TOTAL PROJECT COST.
* See page 15 and 55 about using the Community FactFinder for the project area’s median household income.
6 I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
AMOUNT AVAILABLE
$23,125,000 will be awarded through one ROUND of Proposition 68 funding.
The GRANT PERFORMANCE PERIOD is July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2025.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The APPLICATION deadline will be announced at parks.ca.gov/rrt.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Review the “Competitive Chart” at parks.ca.gov/rrt.
• The “Competitive Chart” is an important technical assistance tool that outlines what needs to be prioritized and considered for a competitive RRT APPLICATION.
2. Review this guide to understand the competitive APPLICATION requirements in more detail.
3. Participate in the extensive technical assistance methods such as APPLICATION workshops and contacting OGALS RRT experts. See page 54 for a complete list.
4. Review the GRANT ADMINISTRATION GUIDE, including CONTRACT provisions, to understand the requirements if the competitive APPLICATION is selected for funding.
5. Submit the APPLICATION to OGALS online by the application deadline announced at parks.ca.gov/rrt. APPLICATION submittal instructions are found on page 10.
6. As another form of technical assistance, APPLICANTS may be advised to correct or complete documents after the APPLICATION is submitted.
• Exception: Project Selection Criteria (pages 14– 30) responses must be complete by the APPLICATION deadline. Revisions will not be accepted.
7. The competitive APPLICATION(S) will be evaluated and ranked based on Project Selection Criteria responses. GRANT award decisions will be announced approximately five months after the application deadline. APPLICANTS will receive either a GRANT award or GRANT denial letter.
7 I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
GRANT ADMINISTRATION PROCESS AND PERFORMANCE PERIOD
1. APPLICANTS who receive a grant award letter from OGALS must attend a mandatory grant administration workshop.
2. After the mandatory workshop, OGALS will send a CONTRACT to the APPLICANTS.
3. After a signed CONTRACT is returned and signed by the State, the APPLICANT becomes a GRANTEE. The GRANTEE will receive a deed restriction/grant notice to record on the title to the property if the GRANTEE owns the land. The deed restriction/grant notice refers to the CONTRACT that requires GRANTEES to ensure operation and maintenance of the PROJECT SITE for 30 years.
4. The GRANT PERFORMANCE PERIOD starts with the APPROPRIATION DATE. If the grant is awarded, PRE-CONSTRUCTION COSTS dating back to the APPROPRIATION DATE may be reimbursed.
5. PROJECT COMPLETION is at least three months before the end of the GRANT PERFORMANCE PERIOD.
6. Send the final payment request to OGALS at least three months before the end of the GRANT PERFORMANCE PERIOD. This gives time for OGALS to review the payment documents, conduct a final site inspection, and process the final payment through the State Controller’s Office.
7. The CONTRACT requires GRANTEES to ensure operation and maintenance of the PROJECT SITE for 30 years. The 30-year period begins with the APPROPRIATION DATE.
8