Parks & Public Space Initiative
Scissortail Park, Oklahoma City
Parks & Public Space Initiative/Margaret Annis Boys Trust
The Parks & Public Space Initiative supports the beautification, development and activation of neighborhood/community parks, school parks, trails and other public lands. This initiative grew out of the Margaret Annis Boys Trust, which was established through a gift from Miss Boys’ estate in 1991 to support and encourage landscaping and beautification projects in parks, medians and other public lands in Oklahoma City. Grant awards will vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. In addition to funding, Oklahoma City Community Foundation staff will provide project expertise.
Application Process
- Contact Lanc Gross at (405) 606-2957 or l.gross@occf.org, to discuss your proposed project no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. This will ensure that your proposal will meet the guidelines.
- Check with your local municipality to see if you need permission or an agreement to make improvements within a city park or city right-of-way. This must be completed prior to applying.
- Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI).
To gain access to the official application, all potential applicants must complete an online LOI form no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024. To complete an LOI, go to our online grant portal (click here) and refer to the instructions on the homepage to log in. Application access code is PARK25 - Submit an application.
Complete the application by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The LOI, application and follow-up reports (if awarded) will be handled through the same online platform.
Log-In Instructions:
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- Log in.
- Select the “Apply” icon in the top left.
- Input the access code PARK25.
Important Dates
- Grant Application Opens: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
- Grant Information Meeting: 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024
- Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline: 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024
- Grant Application Deadline: 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024
- Decision Notification Timeline: End of February 2025
About the Grant
Overview
Goals & Objectives
- To increase utilization of neighborhood parks, neighborhood school parks, trails and other spaces open to the public for recreation, cultural and health improvement.
- To engage community groups, neighborhoods, corporations, municipalities and other nonprofit organizations in improving our neighborhood parks, school parks and trails and the programs that are in them.
- To increase community stewardship of parks, school parks, trails and public spaces.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
- Neighborhood/community groups connected to parks, school parks, trails and other public spaces in Oklahoma County.
- Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing direct services and that has a governing board based in Oklahoma County.
- Local government agencies or state and city-connected agencies.
Grant Funding Goals
- Encourage landscaping and beautification projects in public community spaces including neighborhood/community parks, school parks, trails, public medians and other public lands in central Oklahoma.
- Items eligible for funding include plant material such as trees, shrubs and perennials, soil amendments, mulch and irrigation. Landscape amenities such as shade structures, benches and information signage may be eligible. Master plans and tree canopy studies for public spaces with collaborative partners will be considered.
- Increase utilization of public spaces that are open and accessible to citizens for recreation, cultural and health improvement.
- Engage community groups, neighborhoods, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations to improve our public community spaces.
- Increase community awareness, involvement, and stewardship of our public community spaces.
Application Process
- Contact Lanc Gross at (405) 606-2957 or l.gross@occf.org, to discuss your proposed project.
- Submit a Letter of Intent via an online process to ensure your project is within the scope of the Parks Initiative Grant criteria.
- After the LOI is submitted and approved, the applicant will be invited to apply.
Grant Project Narrative, Budget, Evaluation & Reporting
The grant application includes specific questions including:
- Description of the project for which funding support is requested; is this project new or an expansion of an existing project/program?
- Statement for the need for the project
Description and number of participants of who will utilize the space - Timeline for implementation
An accurate and detailed budget must be submitted including an itemized list of all the components for the project. If the project is multi-phased, the submission must identify which item is included in each phase. Please indicate how you plan to sustain the project beyond the initial grant funding.
The proposal must include a match amount from the applicant. Future landscape maintenance expenses for the project are not considered for the match. Match amounts vary depending on the grant request and the complexity of the project.
A project/program evaluation or outcome measurement plan will be required. Applicants will need to demonstrate an evaluation component that reviews the success of the projects/programs and ensures continued maintenance and sustainability. Evidence of activation will be required.
Grantees will be required to submit evaluation reports via an online process for one (1) year after the award has been made or until the funded program/project is completed.
Priorities and Requirements for Considering Funding
- Existing neighborhood/community parks, school parks, trails, public medians and other open and accessible public properties will be the primary focus area for implementation of approved projects.
- The majority of Parks and Public Space Initiative grants are infrastructure and support activities or programs.
- Projects must be completed within a year after funding notification. All proposed projects must be open and accessible to the public during reasonable usage hours.
- All proposed projects must be located within the Greater Oklahoma City area.
The proposed project must provide documentation of approval by the government entity directly responsible for the management and oversight of the project. - Neighborhood streetscapes are a low priority for grant funding.
- A comprehensive site plan of the proposed project must be included with the grant application. The application must include current and future phases of the project if multi-phased. It can be professionally prepared or presented as a graphic over a Google Earth image.
- A significant volunteer component is required for each grant proposal. The volunteer group must share an active role in the planning, implementation and ongoing maintenance of the project.
- A realistic location, installation and maintenance plan with identified responsibilities and budget must be submitted to ensure the project’s sustainability. Tree plantings typically require a three-year maintenance plan to ensure establishment.
- Proposed grant requests supporting bond issue and other publicly funded projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There must be strong evidence that the project is ready to move forward immediately and that the Parks Initiative grant portion will play a significant role in the overall success and impact of the project.
NOTE: All physical improvement plans are subject to city regulations and all applicable permits. In some cases approved projects may require more public involvement, possibly including: Oklahoma City Council support, Planning Department approval, Parks Commission approval, school board approval, etc. If a project is accepted, the goal of the City Community Foundation is to help with this process. However, the responsibility for this process lies with the funded organization. All awards are contingent upon approval by appropriate government entities.
Grant Deadline & Notification
Please see above for the application deadline to submit all grant application materials. The grant application will be reviewed by a committee and funding recommendations forwarded to the board of Trustees.
Reporting
Grantees will be required to submit evaluation reports via an online process for one (1) year after the award has been made or until the funded program/project is completed.
Questions & Clarifications
Please submit any questions or a need for clarification on any aspect of the application requirements to l.gross@occf.org and note in the subject line “Parks Initiative Grant Application.” Replies will be provided in a timely manner during the workweek. Questions will not be answered after the deadline.
Recent Grants
Asian District Cultural Association – $2,250 to plant more trees in the park and update the existing landscape beds.
Automobile Alley Inc. – $20,000 to plant new trees and add landscaping along the Automobile Alley commercial business district.
Bethany First Church of the Nazarene – $11,930 to build a pollinator garden and enhance a public area with new landscaping.
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine – $14,494 to create a rose garden to enhance the visitor’s experience.
City of Choctaw – $7,000 to create entry gateway landscape projects within the street right-of-way.
Culbertson East Highland NA – $17,000 to install landscape beds and trees within the Lottie Avenue median.
Friends of Martin Park Nature Center– $20,000 to create sustainable gardens at the entrance of the nature center and within the parking area.
Historical Preservation Inc. – $8,373 to plant trees within public spaces in the Heritage Hills neighborhood.
Hope Crossing Association Inc. – $10,000 to plant trees in the neighborhood park and upgrade the irrigation system.
OKC Strikers Cricket Club – $10,000 to plant 20 trees at the Cricket field at Route 66 Park for shade and protection from the wind.
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum – $23,300 to enhance the memorial property with additional native plants and trees.
Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center – $5,000 to install new landscaping materials at the base of the art center building.
Oklahoma Zoological Society Inc. – $15,000 to install educational signage, a shade structure, and pollinator gardens at Oklahoma City’s Zoo Lake.
Russellville Neighborhood Association – $6,000 to plant trees along the street frontage.
The Greens Neighborhood Association – $6,000 to install new landscaping and trees along the two main neighborhood entrances and the boulevard.
Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park – $15,000 to plant trees within the Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park.
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine – $13,600 to plant 34 trees to beautify the entrance to the church grounds.
City of Midwest City – $35,600 to plant 18 trees along park trails in five different city parks and install 10 park benches near the new trees.
Metro Technology Centers – $16,060 to plant shade trees adjacent to new walking trails.
Mount St. Mary Catholic High School – $8,800 to plant 10 trees and install irrigation along the perimeter of the school grounds.
Nichols Hills Enterprise Elementary PTA – $32,750 for irrigation and landscaping upgrades for the school along Wilshire Boulevard.
Nichols Hills Parks, Inc. – $16,560 to replace dead or damaged trees and landscaping for the central bed in Kite Parks.
Nova Community Homeowners Association – $20,521 to landscape the W Hefner Road neighborhood frontage with new shrubs and small trees.
OKC Beautiful – $10,000 to plant 50 trees on the campuses of Oklahoma City Schools, along with providing educational material on the importance of trees.
Western Avenue Association – $18,440 to install new irrigation, shrubs, and trees within the street medians along Western Avenue at I-44.
Asian District Cultural Association – $3,000 – To plant 12 new trees and improve the health of existing trees in Military Park.
Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma – $8,500 – To establish a native wildflower and pollinator garden.
City of Del City – $6,000 – For Oklahoma native landscaping at their Welcome to Del City entrance signs.
City of Yukon – $15,000 – To support the Yukon Trails & Parks Tree Canopy Project, which is creating a more inviting and user-friendly trail system and helping to improve air quality for the community.
Edgemere Park Preservation, Inc. – $8,000 – To install two shade structures in Edgemere Park to help activate the park year-round.
First Serve OKC Foundation – $4,000 – To install a new shade structure next to the tennis courts at Pitts Park in Northeast OKC.
Friends of Will Rogers Gardens Foundation – $8,000 – To complete the final two shade structures in their Memory Garden.
Historical Preservation, Inc. – $6,000 – To replace dead and dying trees in Harn Park and on medians in the Heritage Hills neighborhood.
Lakehurst Homeowners Association – $10,000 – To remove storm-damaged trees and bushes along the neighborhood’s right-of-way.
Lillian Timber Farms – $9,000 – To plant six new fruit trees as a shade and healthy food source in the neighborhood’s community garden.
Love Grow Live Center, Inc. – $8,500 – To purchase planting materials to support their revitalization efforts at Diggs Park.
Miller Neighborhood Association – $5,200 – To plant new trees along the neighborhood’s medians along Northwest 12th and Miller.
Myriad Gardens Foundation – $15,000 – To support their efforts to enlarge and revitalize their mixed border beds along Sheridan Ave.
NewView Oklahoma Inc. – $19,000 – To help develop the NewView Walking Path, Garden & Wellness Space for people with low vision.
Olde Capitol Hill Council, Inc. – $20,000 – To purchase indigenous plants and materials to update the community’s flowerbeds.
Portland Avenue Baptist Church – $9,350 – To replace 22 storm-damaged trees in public spaces around their campus.
Putnam Heights Preservation Area – $10,500 – To improve landscaping and irrigation to help create a traffic-calming effect in a highly trafficked intersection.
Scissortail Park Foundation – $25,000 – To install perennial wildflowers and native grasses on the park’s Mexican feather grass hill.
Thompson Woodland Burr Oaks Neighborhood – $13,000 – For new plant materials to enhance Woodland Park’s landscaping.
