The Urban Open Space and Recreation Program of the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 was approved by the voters in March 2002. The Bond Act of 2002, commonly referred to as Proposition 40, is intended to revive stewardship of natural resources by investing in natural resources and providing clean water and air, safe neighborhood parks and coastal protection. The Per Capita and RZH Urban Open Space and Recreation Program are two of several funding mechanisms offered as part of the Bond Act of 2002. In accord with the program criteria generally described below, these funds may be used at the discretion of the County.
Per Capita Grant Program
The Per Capita Grant Program is intended to maintain a high quality of life for California's growing population by providing a continuing investment in parks and recreational facilities. Specifically it is for the acquisition and development of neighborhood, community, and regional parks and recreation lands and facilities in urban and rural areas.
The funds allocated may be used for:
• Acquisition
• Non-construction costs related to the project such as plans, specifications, appraisals and negotiations (cannot exceed 25% of total requested State Grant amount)
• Construction costs
• Equipment that is permanently fixed to the project facility such as play equipment, fixed benches and signs and interpretive aids.
Roberti-Z’berg-Harris (RZH) Urban Open Space and Recreation Program
The RZH Grant Program is intended to meet the urgent need for safe, open and accessible local park and recreational facilities for increased recreational opportunities that provide positive alternatives to social problems.
As a means of addressing these critical neighborhood park needs, RZH grants are to be expended on high priority projects that satisfy the most urgent park and recreation needs in the most heavily populated and most economically disadvantaged areas of the County. RZH grants are intended to supplement, not supplant, local expenditures for park and recreation facilities. Further, the Bond Act encourages collaboration (partnerships) on projects.
RZH funds can be applied to the following types of programs:
• Acquisition including open space areas, historic sites, structures and lands to be converted to recreational use
• Development or rehabilitation of historic sites or structures if they are in a park and recreation area; development of a park or recreational facility that meets an identifiable recreation need; rehabilitation of park, recreation or historical facilities that are no longer fully serviceable and that, when rehabilitated, provide expanded or additional recreation or historical opportunities
• Special major maintenance projects (other than routine maintenance activities) on lands that were acquired or developed with funds from the RZH program
• Innovative Recreation Programs designed to serve special populations, including transportation costs
Projects funded under the Special Major Maintenance Projects and Innovative Recreation Programs cannot exceed 30% combined of the value of the RZH funds appropriated to that particular agency. .
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