PARTF Grants Help Improve Park Access Across North Carolina
CHARLOTTE, NC – North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grants were awarded to 39 applicants this year, six of which had partnered with Benesch for grant writing and/or master planning services. The grants, totaling nearly $3 million of the $17 million available, will fund projects across the state.
“Being able to help secure this funding for our clients means a lot,” said Senior Project Manager Jon Wood. “These communities will benefit tremendously from improved park access and Benesch looks forward to helping in any way we can as they develop.”
Five of the six projects applied for and received $500,0000, the highest possible funding amount. Benesch provided master planning and grant application writing services for the following projects:
- Epsom Park (Franklin County) – $434,625
- Badin Waterfront Park (Town of Badin) – $500,000
- Stegall Lake – Phase 1 (Town of Marshville) – $500,000
- Mt. Pleasant Park Athletic Complex (Cabarrus County) – $500,000
Benesch also master planned and coordinated with the municipal grant writer for Northern (Newland) Park (Pasquotank County) and Yadkin River Playground (Davidson County), each awarded $500,000.
PARTF has been awarding matching grants to local governments for parks, public beach access and improvements in state parks since 1994. The program focuses on improving the quality of life in North Carolina communities by helping local governments reach their park and public access goals. The nine-member Parks and Recreation Authority evaluates the projects based on various criteria including quality of planning, public involvement in the planning process, recreation facilities provided and quality of site with respect to its surroundings.
“Benesch has been helping clients with grant assistance in North Carolina for over 30 years. We understand the application, planning process, grant agency and vetting process,” said Landscape Architecture Group Manager Jeff Ashbaugh. “A PARTF grant requires a significant amount of planning and the process is quite involved, taking around six months from start to finish to prepare a grant application. We recognize the impact these projects have, and we want every community we help to win.”
