After four years of no funding and a modest $2 million in FY 2000, NPS will be distributing almost $29 million in grant awards this summer. The Federal Register notice of the grant round was published on February 16 and "preapplications" for rehabilitation proposals are due no later than June 18 to the appropriate field office of the National Park Service. Wayne Strum, Acting Chief of Recreation Programs Division within the National Park Service and Ms. Chris Ashley of the Divc, have joined us for this interactive session and will address your questions regarding the upcoming UPARR grant round. This page will automatically refresh every 45 seconds. To manually refresh the page, please click the "Refresh" button on the bottom of this page.

Stefan Cristo (City of Las Vegas, NV) 1. For a new project never brought to the attention of the NPS, is a City going to apply for a DISCRETIONARY GRANT, or is it any other form we need to apply under? Wayne or Chris: discretionary" refers to the applicant and not the grant...If a city is not on the list of eligible cities listed in the Federal Register (1979, it may apply as a discretionary applicant if in a smsa. The UPARR act limits the amount of each appropriation which can go ato discretionary applicants to 15 percent of total. Stefan Cristo (Las Vegas, NV) 6. Can a DISCRETIONARY GRANT be used to .. replaced playground equipment in a couple of parks – where old equipment does not meet the safety criteria any more? Wayne or Chris: see earlier answer re discretionary "grant"...rehabilitation of playground equipment is elgible Stefan Cristo (Las Vegas, NV) Can REHABILITATION GRANTS that target rehabilitation of existing neighborhood recreation areas be used to clean and plant vegetation in a lake? Wayne or Chris: interesting question...I don't think we've funded such a grant in the past, however, I"m inclined to say no..in addition we doublt whether it would compete highly..suggest you discuss further with nps field office contact. Stefan Cristo (Las Vegas, NV) Once a request is approved by NPS is a RECOVERY ACTION PROGRAM needed? Where from can we get the PRE-APPLICATIONS for NPS’s review? Wayne or Chris: it is required before project approval. Preapplication info. is on website or Regional offices can mail a copy Bill Scharf (San Rafael, CA) Is there a website with a list of eligible cities? Wayne or Chris: Yes...www.ncrc.nps.gov/uparr Terry Ash (Oklahoma City, OK) Will the NPS regional offices been responsible for approving new or updated RAP plans. Wayne or Chris: yes..contact them for technical assistance Karen Pecaut (St. Louis, MO) The NOFA refers to multiple locaations or facilities. Is a jurisdiction limited to a number of pre- applications? If have two rec centers, do I apply for them seperately? Wayne or Chris: One preapplication only, but preapplication may contain multiple sites. Erin Budde (Tampa, FL) What are the expectations as far as funding UPARR Innovation and Recovery Action Planning Grants in the future? Wayne or Chris: Unknown of course because of the vagaries of the budgetary process, but the Presiden'ts budgetary blue print for FFY 2002 contained no mention of UPARR David Howlett (Denver, CO) Can you tell me if Denver has a Recovery Action Plan on file? Wayne or Chris: If city officials don't know, please contact the NPS field office. Bill Scharf (San Rafael, CA) Is population a factor in determining grant awards? Wayne or Chris: it is a factor in the selection criteria. Talk to region .sorry for the delay. Dottie Jones (Memphis, TN) How long does it generally take to get a RAP approved? Wayne or Chris: AFter submitted to the NPS field office, it depends on staff workload. Attempts will be made to review as soon as possible. chuck proulx (City of Port St. Lucie, FL) We installed a boardwalk in our Veterans park appx. 20 years ago, it is now in need of refurbishing. would this type of project fall within the guidelines for consideration and if so what type of match would be required if applicable? Thank you. Wayne or Chris: Probably would not rank highly but please discuss in more detail with Region.... David Howlett (Denver, CO) Would you please describe an ideal project? Wayne or Chris: Not trying to be evasive but this type of question takes a better typist than me and more time please work with Regional staff...or goal is to soliciti as many highly qualified projects as possible. Also review some samples of previouisly fuinded projects on website referenced earlier. Victoria Paz (Riverside, CA) Where do I found the Standard Form SF 424 to download. I've only found the sample of a completed SF 424 and Preapplication Handbook. Wayne or Chris: Contact region or go directly to OMB web site and search for standard forms Arman R. Ochoa (University Heights, OH) I see in the UPARR regulations that eligible participant will need a Recovery Action Program on file and approved by NPS. Is there a website where I can review a sample of a Recovery Action Program? Is our City still eligible eventhough we do not have much recreation space. We have a park with a pool and tennis courts. Wayne or Chris: don't know your city...talk to the region about your project...as RAP planning handbook is available by mail. Laura Whitton (Chicago, IL) The Chicago Park District is interested in rehabilitating several park boathouses so that they will be fully accessible and can support recreational programs. Will this type of project compete well? Wayne or Chris: Not aware of any past boat ramp projects...once again but we don't know your competition either Betty Ann Kane (Laredo, TX) The Presidential Executive Order establishing the American Heritage Rivers Program directed federal agencies to facilitate projects that are part of an AHR designation. NPS is a signantory to the AHR agreement. Will preference be given in UPARR grant awards to projects that are part of a designated AHR plan? Wayne or Chris: No plans at this time...not sure how it would encourage projects as intended by the original UPAAR legislation. Thanks for the question though. Karen Pecaut (St. Louis, MO) If submitting multiple projects, will NPS have the ability to fund one of the projects or is it all or nothing? With the anticipated competitiveness for these funds, would you advise a jurisdiction to apply for a single project or multiple? Wayne or Chris: One preapplication to be submitted but as stated before. Multiple site projects have no known advantages or disadvantages but one of the sites could pull a project down, or conversely, strengthen it. Rich Miller (Rome, NY) Could you give me an overview of the eligibility criteria of 36 CFR Part 72 for discretionary applicants? Wayne or Chris: In SMSA, population greater than 40,000, statement describing its stress, etc. See preap handbook or contact region for more Erin Budde (Tampa, FL) Is any preference or special process applicable to previously submitted, but unfunded applications, or should we begin with a clean slate? Wayne or Chris: It can be updated and resubmitted...remember, competitiveness depends on the quality of other reqeusts. Edith M. Diaz (Bridgeport, CT) Under the types of grants, there are two types to apply under: rehabilitation and innovation. Can we apply separately for each one if there are more than one project? Wayne or Chris: Normally yes but for FY 2001 we're only accepting Rehaabilitation requests. Betty Ann Kane (Laredo, TX) Will applicants be competing against all other applicants nationally or is the funding and competition divided up by region? Wayne or Chris: No...it is a national competition but projects will be processed through the regions Beth (Charleston, WV) Our city is not an "eligible city", but we are a MSA and intend to apply. Will this fact hurt our chances? Wayne or Chris: No...if you qualify as a discertionary applicant you will compete on an equal basis with all other applicants - but the amt. that can go to discretionary applicants is limited to 15 percent of approp. See earlier response. Betty Ann Kane (Laredo, TX) To follow up re American Heritage River projects-- an example would be a city such as Laredo that is converting neglected and environmentally unattractive and inaccessible river front on the Rio Grande to an urban park and bicycle trail as part of its restoration program under the AHR designation. The River Navigator assigned to the Rio Grande is from NPS. Wayne or Chris: Must be rehabing existing recreation facilities... Betty Carter (City of Richmond, Ca, CA) The City of Richmond submitted an application for rehabilitation of a community park. While NPS identified our application demonstrated a significant need, funding was not granted at that time. Is it feasible for the City to resubmit the application for the same project? Wayne or Chris: please see previous response John Pang (Norwalk, CA) Will, UPARR fund more than one project west of the Mississippi for this grant round? Wayne or Chris: remember only 14 pdroejcts were approved last year and the geo. distribution is the luck of the draw. Terry Ash (Oklahoma City, OK) The explanation of Items Excluded From Funding says, "No new parks or facilities will be created..." Does this mean the rehabilitation of existing unimproved park land with limited facilities (such as no lighted athletic fields, parking areas, picnic shelters, playground, etc) cannot include new facility improvements but only focus on rehab of parks with existing needs? Wayne or Chris: This project sounds more like a LWCF project however,rehabilitation of a site can include, as part of its rehab, enhancing and expanding existing facilitiles, including lights to a ball field that didn't have any....discuss with region to clarify whether we're talking new development or rehabing an existing facility. Erin Budde (Tampa, FL) Is there a central location to access previously funded proposals? Wayne or Chris: All rehab and innovation projects are listed on web sites under funded sites. Laura Whitton (Chicago, IL) Can UPARR funds be used to convert a non-recreational facility into a recreational one? Wayne or Chris: That sounds like it would be "adaptive reuse" which are Innovation proposals which are not being fudned this year. Terry Ash (Oklahoma City, OK) The explanation of Items Excluded From Funding says, "No new parks or facilities will be created..." Does this mean the rehabilitation of existing unimproved park land with limited facilities (such as no lighted athletic fields, parking areas, picnic shelters, playground, etc) cannot include new facility improvements but only focus on rehab of parks with existing needs? Wayne or Chris: somehow I lost my typed response.....so I'll recap. Discuss with Region - may be more appropriately a LWCF project but rehab prjoects can enhance and expand existing facilities. Terry Ash (Oklahoma City, OK) Will the NPS regional offices been responsible for approving new or updated RAP plans. Wayne or Chris: yes John Pang (Norwalk, CA) Following last year's unsuccessful pre-application submittal, I requested for a review at our regional office. I was told that our pre-application did not reflect the national scope of UPARR (or something to that effect). We had sought to rehabiliate our city's only swimming. How can we address UPARR's national perspective for such a project? Wayne or Chris: Obviously the field office in SF is the place to call. We don't have details here on unsuccessful proejcts. However, a caution to all - the nature of project as well quality of proposal submitted is very important, i.e. how well the the criteria are addressed in the preapplication. Erin Budde (Tampa, FL) Is it possible for two departments within the same municipality to receive funding for different projects? Wayne or Chris: only one per jurisdiction for rehab. Kareem Murphy (Washington, DC) The website only gives a summary of previously funded projects. Do I have to file a FOIA request to obtain an actual hard copy of a previously funded application? Wayne or Chris: Regardless of whetehr you're asking for aprevious DC prjoect or one submitted by another jurisdiction, we only one copy on file in the region and one in Washington, including photographs. Work with the Philadelphia folks for the information you need. Perhaps we'll have the luxury of reproducing sample proejcts in the future but this is not on immediate horizon. Laura Whitton (Chicago, IL) I have seen several application due dates. Can you please verify when applications are due? Wayne or Chris: by cob June 18 in the field office...must be received or will not be considered

That's all for today! Additional questions or clarification of the preceding discussion should be directed to the recreation grants staff in the NPS field offices. The appropriate office for your city to call and telephone numbers are listed at the end of the February 16 notice. Your interest in and support of the UPARR program is appreciated and we look forward to high quality and well-targeted preapplications. return to the usmayors.org interactive page