Background

CPW has collected information from a number of potential park and recreation funding sources to provide Canby with additional mechanisms for funding park and recreation. Our research focuses on areas where the City is not currently receiving funding; mainly public and private grant sources. The alternatives listed below provide a starting point for the City’s funding search, but are of course not guaranteed.  State and federal programs are subject to termination in the absence of legislative funding commitments, and private foundations operate on finite annual budgets. Where possible, CPW has included contact names, phone numbers and addresses for each source.

Public Grants Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund Grant  

The LWCF was established by Congress in 1965 to “assist in preserving, developing and assuring accessibility to all citizens of the

United State of America of present and future generations…such quantity and quality of outdoor recreation resources as may be available and are necessary and desirable for individual active participation.”[4]  Funds are available each year for the acquisition and development of park land.  In Oregon, the fund is administered by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department. Grant funds are available for up to 50% of total project costs.  Cities, counties and park and recreation districts are eligible applicants.  Eligible projects and facilities include sports fields, picnic facilities, swimming pools, boating facilities and playgrounds, rest rooms, parking lots, landscaping and maintenance of facilities.  With the exception of swimming pools and skate rinks, indoor projects are ineligible. 

Oregon have totaled more than $47 million.  A number of individual projects have been awarded funding in excess of $500,000.  Individual projects are ranked at the state level using a scoring criteria system with highest rating projects being forwarded to the National Park Service for final approval.  Additional information can be requested by writing to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, Grants Section, 525 Trade Street SE, Salem OR 97310 .

Oregon State Marine Board

The Oregon State Marine Board Facility Grant Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1971.  The purpose of the program is to assist local governments and state agencies in constructing and improving public recreational boating facilities on all waters of the state.  Funds are to be used in conjunction with acquisition, capital improvements, rehabilitation or renovation.  Eligible applicants include cities, counties and park and recreation districts.  Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, launch ramps, access roads, parking areas, rest rooms, utilities, signage, transient docks and boarding floats.  Grants will not be considered for routine maintenance of facilities.  Local-level applicants are expected to provide a 25% match for capital improvement projects, and a 50% match for all others.  Projects fall into two categories:  Small projects (under $50,000) and large projects (over $50,000).  There are two proposal deadlines:  February 15 and April 15.  Total annual funding ranges from year to year.  Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Oregon State Marine Board (Boating Facility Grant), Facility Program Manager, 3000 Market St. NE Suite 505 , Salem OR 97310 .  Phone: 373-1466.  

Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program  

Established in 1978, UPARR provides grants to local governments to rehabilitate existing indoor and outdoor recreation facilities; to demonstrate innovative ways to enhance park and recreation opportunities at the neighborhood level; and to develop local Recovery Action Programs that identify community needs, objectives and strategies for revitalization of recreation systems.  Rehabilitation grants are matching grants (70% federal / 30% local) to eligible local governments for remodeling, rebuilding, expanding or developing outdoor or indoor recreation areas and facilities.  Innovation grants are also matching grants (70% federal / 30% local) designed to help communities demonstrate innovative and cost-effective ways to enhance park and recreation opportunities at the local level.  In Oregon, these grants are coordinated through the National Park Service regional office in Seattle. An application, or additional information may be requested from the National Park Service, Recreation Programs Division, 909 First Avenue, Seattle WA 98104-1060.  Phone: (206) 220-4083.  

Oregon Youth Conservation Corps

The Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (OYCC) program consists of grants of labor and partial capital financing. OYCC grants generally support conservation or environment-related projects proposed by non-profit organizations.  OYCC funding is distributed in equal amounts to each county in Oregon every summer.  The program funds individual projects ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.  Parties interested in applying for OYCC funding can either contact their county park and recreation department, or contact the OYCC directly at (503) 373-1570 Ext. 228.  Mimi Swartz is the contact person.  

American Greenway Grants  

The American Greenways DuPont awards, a partnership between DuPont, The Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, provide small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways across the country. Grant recipients are selected based on criteria that include:  importance of project to local greenway development efforts; demonstrated community support for the project; extent to which the grant will result in matching funds or other support from public or private sources; likelihood of tangible results; capacity of the organization to complete the project; and how well the project serves as a model for planning and developing greenways.  The maximum grant award is for $2,500.  Applications must be submitted between September 1 and December 31 each year.  Local organizations receive preference for grant awards, though governmental agencies may also apply.  More information may be obtained by writing American Greenways, The Conservation Fund, 1800 North Kent Street, Suite 1120 Arlington, Virginia 22209.  Telephone:  (703) 525-6300.  

Other Funding Options

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 introduced revolutionary changes in the nation’s huge transportation trust fund.  One of ISTEA’s programs, the National Recreation Trails Fund Act authorizes up to $30 million annually for trail maintenance projects as well as trail planning, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, trailhead facilities, education and administrative costs.  Many successful projects have involved partnerships between the private sector and public agencies.  This includes non-profit trail groups, user clubs, private land owners and businesses partnering with county, state and federal agencies.  Other ISTEA programs that fund trails include:

• Enhancements (a 10 percent set-aside of the Surface Transportation Program)

• "Core" Surface Transportation Program

• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program

• Federal Lands Program

• Scenic Byways Program

•  Highway Safety Program

• Bridge Program

• National Highway System

 In Michigan , an historic mill property was rehabilitated as a trail support facility with rest rooms, a bike repair and rental store and snack shop using ISTEA funds.  The trail segment, which crosses the property, connects a major greenway trail with an on-street bike route along an urban arterial.  In Oregon, ISTEA funding has supported a “roads to trails” project on the Old Columbia River Highway which seeks to provide critical additions to the non-motorized route through the Columbia Gorge.  Additional information about ISTEA funding is available through Clackamas County.

Adopt-a-Park

Another option the city may want to consider is an “adopt-a-park” program.  Such a program could relieve the city of part of the financial burden associated with parks maintenance and improvements while also generating citizen pride in their parks.  The scope would depend on the city’s needs.  For instance, the program could consist of having an organized group take responsibility for trash pick-up on a weekly basis in a particular park.  A small plaque recognizing the group for its contribution could be placed somewhere in or near the park.  On a somewhat larger scale, the city could also encourage local businesses to sponsor park improvements such as renovation of the amphitheater in Canby Community Park, or provision of accessible playground equipment in any of Canby’s parks.  

Adopt-a-park programs obviously contain a strong element of citizen involvement and often stem from public initiative.  In Springfield, Oregon, the “ Pride Park ” adopt-a-park program[5] was initiated by a small neighborhood association which raised an initial $2,600 through a garage and bake sale, and a challenge grant from the Jack B. Lively Fund.  The association, in conjunction with Willamalane Park and Recreation District and the City of Springfield, then applied for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding of $40,000 to initiate the first phase of the project.  The first phase included acquisition of 1 acre of land, initial development and site preparation, purchase and installation of park swings, purchase of perimeter fencing and purchase and installation of a sign and garbage receptacle.  The city views Pride Park as a model adopt-a-park program for other neighborhoods due to the active involvement of children, youth and families not only in raising funds, but also in making the formerly unimproved lot “clean and green” through work parties and donations of labor and equipment from the community.  This option seems viable in Canby considering the high level of volunteerism and community that already exists.

Private Foundations  

Private foundations often offer funding for projects related to community development and improvement, youth development, recreation, leisure, sports, athletics and the environment.  Funding amounts can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands.  In a search of the Oregon Foundation Data Book, CPW identified over a dozen potential funding sources.  The most promising of these are listed below for further investigation by the City:

Canby Rotary Foundation

• Contributions to local charities, recreation, sports, leisure and athletics

• Fund Balance:  $216,695

• Grant Range :  $100-$2,000                              

• Contact:  Donald Peterson, Trustee                    

• (503) 266-3456                                                       

Clark Foundation                                         

• Grants for general charitable purposes, community improvement and development

• Fund balance:  $141,777

• Grant Range :  $500-$50,000

• Contact:  Jean Amelee                                     

• (503) 223-5290                                                       

Collins Foundation

• Grants for community improvement and development, recreation, sports, and youth development

• Fund balance:  $109,582,365

• Grant Range :  $1,500-$250,000

• Contact:  William Pine                             

• (503) 227-7171                                                      

Anne A. Berni Foundation

• Grants for educational, social welfare and cultural enrichment programs for children in the Pacific Northwest

• Fund Balance:  $588,196

• Grant Range : Not Available

• Contact:  Marlyn Norquist

• (503) 275-5929

Ford Family Foundation

• Grants for community improvement and development, sports, leisure and recreation

• Fund balance:  $113,564,991

• Grant range:  $400-$350,000

• Contact:  Kenneth Ford, President   

• (503) 679-3311

First Interstate Bank of Oregon Charitable Foundation

• Grants for community improvement and development, recreation, sports and leisure

• Fund Balance:  $49,593

• Grant range:  $100-$25,000

• Contact:  Harleen Katke

• (503) 225-2167

Oregon Community Foundation

• Grants for community improvement and development, recreation, sports and leisure

• Fund balance:  $103,021,996

• Grant range:  $1,000-$400,000

• Contact:  Gregory Chaille

• (503) 227-6846

The Oregon Foundation Data Book is updated annually.  Foundation guides generally list the types of activities particular foundations tend to fund as well as projects which have received funding in the last year.  Most foundations operate on limited budgets and tight timelines and some fund “members” only.  Thus, it is important to establish contacts well ahead of an anticipated project’s start date.

Blue Heron Recreation District

A funded park and recreation district may provide substantial financial relief to the city.  A bond, or tax, supporting a recreation district spreads the cost of providing services, facilities, maintenance and acquisition to a greater number of users.  A recreation district is essentially a special district which the Census Bureau defines as limited purpose governmental units that exist as separate corporate entities and, theoretically, have fiscal and administrative independence from general purpose governments.  Recreation districts are often developed in areas which, like Canby, provide parks and recreation for a large geographic area, yet do not receive financial support from outside the city boundary.

Though last November’s tax levy floated by the Blue Heron Recreation District did not pass, a funded recreation district is not out of the question. Oregon’s Metro government had a  $200 million open space bond rejected by voters in 1993, but succeeded with a scaled-down version of the same bond two years later, in 1995.  Those involved in promotion of the measure cited improved publicity, including focus groups and frequent polling, as important reasons for the second ballot measure’s success. They said voters appreciated the message - that the region must act now to set aside open space, natural areas, habitat and recreation areas to sustain its high quality of life and competitiveness - but wanted more specificity in terms of how there tax dollars would be spent. Charles Ciecko, director of Metro’s Regional Parks and Greenspaces Department, can provide interested parties with more information regarding the bond measure.

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