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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">GOVERNOR, DEM ANNOUNCE AWARDEES OF NEARLY $6 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR LOCAL RECREATION PROJECTS
ACROSS RI <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">PROVIDENCE – As part of a continued focus on supporting healthy communities and promoting outdoor recreation when the state economy begins to reopen, Governor
Gina M. Raimondo and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today awarded $5.79 million in matching grants to 21 local municipalities to develop or renovate recreational facilities in their communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The grants will fund 27 projects across the state including new athletic fields, playgrounds, splash parks, bike paths, walking trails, shoreline access, basketball, tennis, and pickleball
courts, and various site improvements.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">"As I announced this week, I am prioritizing reopening state parks, beaches, and recreation areas in the first phase of getting back to a new normal,” Governor
Raimondo said. “The COVID-19 crisis has shown us how critical the outdoors, exercise, sunshine, and fresh air are for people’s well-being.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Since the inception of Earth Day in 1970, efforts to improve air and water quality, clean up contaminated lands, conserve open space, and increase recreational opportunities have greatly
enhanced Rhode Islanders’ quality of life. Over the past five decades, almost 50,000 acres of land have been protected and nearly $75 million in grants has been invested for over 500 recreation projects across the state. Although the state and some local communities
have temporarily closed parks, playgrounds, and sports fields to limit exposure to COVID-19, these closures have created a void where people used to safely recreate. The grants awarded today will help communities unlock recreation opportunities for all Rhode
Islanders when it is safe to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“The COVID-19 public health crisis has put an even sharper focus on the importance of public recreation areas and open spaces,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “We all cherish local parks,
places to stroll, courts and fields on which to play sports, and inviting outdoor havens where families and friends can recreate and relax. DEM is very pleased to support communities in meeting their priorities for local outdoor recreation and to plan for
the weeks and months ahead when these special places will be reopened.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Rhode Island’s outdoor recreation industry is an increasingly important part of our state’s economy, contributing an estimated $3.3 billion annually and supporting
36,000 jobs. As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, municipal facilities play an important role in beautifying communities, supporting public health,
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">strengthening the state’s climate resilience<span style="background:white">, and promoting a cleaner environment.
</span></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">With today’s award, there have been nearly 550 grant-funded projects totaling more than $80 million
<span style="color:black;background:white">invested in improvements in all 39 Rhode Island communities since the inception of DEM’s community recreation grant program in 1988.
</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 local jobs.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><br>
<span style="color:black;background:white">The grants, which require a community match and range from $47,000 to $400,000, are funded through 2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond proceeds.</span> Categories include large grants that range from $100,000 to
$400,000 each, and small grants of up to $100,000 each for projects of smaller cost. The state grants will be matched by local funding to generate over $7 million in recreational project improvements throughout Rhode Island.<span style="background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Applications were evaluated and scored by the Rhode Island Recreation Resources Review Committee, consisting of government and non-profit members using the
Open Project Selection Process developed under the 2019 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. This is one of the “Green Space” grants DEM offers to local communities; other grant funds support Local Open Space and Recreational Trails.
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM Director Coit noted that the local outdoor recreation grant program funded by green bonds is the most popular of all the grants programs at DEM in terms of requests for funding. DEM
received 55 applications for this round totaling more than $13 million in requests but can fund fewer than half of the projects seeking grants.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“While we celebrate the projects that received grants, we know how disappointing it is to not get this funding,” noted Director Coit. “This process is so competitive! Once again, DEM
only had the funds to meet half the need.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:100%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Small grants were awarded to the following projects:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Burrillville: Hero Park Improvements, $80,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New play area, shade structure, picnic tables, benches, water fountain, and shed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Central Falls: Bringing Tennis to Central Falls, $100,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Replace existing basketball court with 2 tennis courts and install lighting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">East Providence: Pierce Field Splash Park Construction, $100,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New splash park in Pierce Field<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Little Compton: Town Landing Improvements, $80,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Establish a safe all-weather parking area, develop a walkway from parking area to beach, plantings, restore turf, and establish a stone memorial to benefactor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New Shoreham: Andy's Way New Boardwalk and Beach Access Improvements, $47,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New universally accessible beach access boardwalk and improvements to site access and parking<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Newport: Abruzzi Sports Complex Basketball Court Construction, $100,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New basketball court, bicycle storage racks, player benches, spectator bleachers, fencing around basketball court, extension of accessible walkway, and installation of a universally accessible
water fountain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">North Providence: Marieville Playground Construction, $100,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New playground with benches, fencing, landscaping, and lighting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Portsmouth: Mt. Hope Park Sea Wall Replacement, $54,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Replace a section of the existing sea wall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Providence: Blackstone Park Trail Network Improvements, $100,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Trail restoration with bank stabilization, new fencing, trail maps, interpretive signage, and trail markers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Providence: Woonasquatucket Adventure Park Improvements Phase 2, $100,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Create safe access from the Barbara Street neighborhood including improved access from Barbara Street entrance with one accessible parking space, concrete sidewalk repairs, fencing and gates,
earthwork and preparation for pathway from upper portion of bike path, site preparation for playground area, picnic pavilion space, parkour area, public art, installation of bioretention rain garden, and new bicycle storage structure building
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">South Kingstown: Saugatucket Park Improvements, $80,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Reclamation and paving of walking path, replace chain link fence with decorative fence, clear invasive species along fence, and replace basketball court with combination-use outdoor court for
basketball and pickleball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Westerly: Bradford Preserve Walking Trail Construction, $70,800<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.15pt;margin-bottom:.25pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.5pt;line-height:100%">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Accessible walking trail, benches and landscaping<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Large grants were awarded to the following projects:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Barrington: Walker Farm Recreation Shoreline Improvements, $230,745
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Expand gravel parking lot, new accessible walkway to new boat launch, improve shore access for kayakers and rowers, new floating dock for kayaks and rowers, new platform next
to dock, benches, educational signs, and plantings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Burrillville: Beckwith-Bruckshaw Lodge Recreation Center Improvements, $300,000</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New playground, walking path, and parking<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Charlestown: Ninigret Park New Fitness Space, $168,031<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New fitness equipment and games with cement surface, new shade structure, removal and disposal of existing fencing and clearing of ice-skating rink, new solar charging stations,
picnic tables, benches, and shade trees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">East Greenwich: Fairfield Playground Improvements, $137,600<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Installation of new universally accessible playground equipment, bench, playground safety surfacing, access walkway, new fencing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Foster: Foster Athletic Fields Construction Phase 2, $400,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New football/soccer field, basketball and tennis court, extension of walking path, well, and sprinkler system<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Glocester: Memorial Park Improvements, $400,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Expand and relocate playground with fitness course, covered areas, benches, new bocce court with benches and shade structures, renovated basketball courts, improvements to
pedestrian connection to Putnam Pike via Sherman Lane, and new signage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Hopkinton: Crandall Field Playground Improvements, $295,861
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New playground to replace existing playground, underdrainage system, wood fiber surface, walkway to playground, bollards at walkway entrance, loam, and seed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">North Kingstown: Town Beach Campus Playground Improvements, $400,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Renovated walkways and playground surfacing, new accessible exercise area with four accessible play structures and three accessible equipment elements, four accessible parking
spaces, concrete surfacing and bike parking, two picnic tables and three benches, sensory garden, new landscaping with rain gardens, and shade trees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">North Providence: Pate Athletic Field Construction, $400,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New multiuse athletic field for soccer/football/ lacrosse, new parking lot, new concession/restroom/equipment storage building, seating, and irrigation system<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Pawtucket: Acquisition ($75,000) and Development ($400,000) of Blackstone Bikeway Along Front Street<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Acquisition and development of the last segment of the Blackstone River Bikeway needed to connect from Tolman High School to Central Avenue
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Providence: Gotham Greens-Atwells Fire Station Path Construction, $400,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Create 1,000-foot shared use path along the eastern bank of the Woonasquatucket River, benches, interpretive signs, riverbank restoration, native plantings, connection between
the Woonasquatucket River Greenway and the Washington Secondary Trail extension currently under construction by RIDOT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Tiverton: Town Farm Recreation Area Improvements, $375,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Replace playground incorporating accessible equipment and sensory elements, new fitness park, and modification of two of the four existing tennis courts into six full-time
pickleball courts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Warren: Burrs Hill Park and Town Beach Playground Improvements, $400,000
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Replace and relocate existing building to develop a new activity center with accessible bathrooms, concession stand and storage area, replace existing playground equipment,
add a connecting pedestrian path from the East Bay Bike Path to Burrs Hill parking lot, and install overhead lighting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Warwick: Oakland Beach Splash Park Construction and Playground & Boardwalk Improvements, $400,000<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">New boardwalk, splash park, playground enhancements, coastal buffer improvements, low impact bio swales, and pedestrian plaza entry improvements<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">The recreation grants are extremely competitive.
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/index.htm"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">.</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
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<span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:windowtext">From gas station rubble, the new Grinnell’s Beach in Tiverton opened in June 2019 thanks in part to a $400,000 state recreation grant.<span style="background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
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