HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 - Texas Recreation and Parks Account and Texas State Park SystemConsider approval of a resolution supporting the Texas Recreation and Parks Account and
the Texas State Park System
RESOLUTION NO.
WHEREAS, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ("TPWD") administers the
Texas Recreation & Parks Account Local Park Grant Program ("TRPA") and manages
114 State parks and historical sites in Texas; and
WHEREAS, TPWD has a separate account in their general revenue fund
referred to as the TRPA for the purpose of providing matching grants to political
subdivisions for parks and recreation projects; and
WHEREAS, the matching grants provided by the TPWD are utilized for the
planning, acquisition, and development of local park, recreation and open space areas
to be owned and maintained by political subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, funds granted to political subdivisions under the TRPA guidelines
have funded 1,029 projects of the 2,851 submitted over 25 years delivering over $623
million dollars to the local Texas economy; and
WHEREAS, political subdivisions throughout the State of Texas depend on
grants from TPWD through the TRPA to stimulate the acquisition and development of
parks and recreational areas for the benefit and enjoyment of their citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the TRPA and State parks are funded from sales tax on sporting
goods and that the development of new parks stimulates the purchase of sporting
goods; and
WHEREAS, continued cutbacks in appropriations for State park and historic sites
have resulted in a backlog of deferred maintenance issues, park closures, reduced
hours and days of operation, staff layoffs, the conversion of some parks to day use only
and elimination of important visitor services, regardless of the growing need for new
parks due to the State's expanding population and extensive tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, the development of parks encourages and promotes public health,
economic development, job creation, education; corporate relocations, an improved
quality of life, and juvenile crime prevention; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of this City Council that a copy of this resolution with
appropriate names affixed be presented to the Governor of Texas and the leadership of
the 80th Texas Legislature.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated in the above preamble are true and correct
and are incorporated herein as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That members of the 80th Legislature of Texas seek passage of
legislation maximizing the use of revenue from the sporting goods sales tax to increase
funding for parks and recreation programs fairly for both Local and State parks and that
all TRPA funded park projects be subject to the established TPWD competitive scoring
system.
Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its
passage.
FA'J a M*J
RES. NO. 2