Parks

1. To increase utilization of neighborhood parks, neighborhood school parks, trails and other spaces open to the public for recreation, cultural and health improvement.
2. 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.
3. To increase community stewardship of parks, school parks, trails and public spaces.

• 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.

• 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.
• Increase utilization of public spaces which are open and accessible to citizens for recreation, cultural and health improvement.
• Support programming consistent with the priorities identified in the 2020 Oklahoma City Parks Master Plan.
• 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.

• Submit a Letter of Intent by June 30, 2023, 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.

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.

Funds provided by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation in support of identified parks projects or programs will be held in escrow and will be distributed as expenses are incurred.

• 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.

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.

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.

Please submit any questions or a need for clarification on any aspect of the application requirements to [email protected] 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.

Past Recipients

Scissortail Park Foundation $40,000 – Aquatic Habitat Improvements at the Scissortail Lake.

ReStore OKC – $25,200 – Harden Park and ReStore OKC Recreation, Culture & Health Improvements to provide new trees, shade structures and landscaping for the park.

Oklahoma City/County Historical Society – $10,000 – To provide landscaping to the C.G. Jones Memorial Plaza located along the Bricktown Canal.

Myriad Gardens Foundation – $2,750 – Tree Planting Project in the Myriad Gardens.

Eagle Trail Pond Loop at Oklahoma Christian University – $15,000 – Phase II of the tree planting program adjacent to the trail system.

City of Choctaw – $11,050 – OCCF funded trees and other park associated improvements for the Choctaw Caboose Park on N.E. 23rd street.

Riversport Foundation – $12,000 – Tree planting project for the 2021 Trailhead Facilities and Trail Extension project
Midway Village Neighborhood Watch Assoc. – $4,200 – Planting 6 trees and additional small improvement for Townsend neighborhood park.

ASTEC Charter Schools – $4,000 – To install 10 trees adjacent to the community soccer field and track for shade and aesthetics.

Mitch Park Inclusive Playground – $14,000 – Edmond Parks Department has created an Inclusive Playground at Mitch Park. OCCF is funding the surrounding trees which will add shade and aesthetics to the area.

Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research – $15,000 – Lynn Institute received a grant to help fund trees and other permanent improvements on a corner property owned by Tabitha Baptist Church.

WesTen District – $8,110 – For planting 15 trees and installing 5 benches at Buchanan Elementary school.

Friends of Will Rogers Garden Foundation – $16,000 – Funding for two shade structures to be installed in the newly created Memory Garden at Will Rogers Park.