Applications are now being accepted for the Building Better Communities grant program, a partnership between the American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF) and The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).
Building Better Communities is a five-year initiative designed to enhance public parks by creating and improving nature-based playgrounds and natural play areas for children, while also providing educational messaging and demonstration areas about water resources stewardship and conservation. Building Better Communities projects are supported with funding from AWCF and implemented through annual grants administered by NRPA.
AWCF provided NRPA with $2.5 million to administer the Building Better Communities program over the next five years, according to program materials. The two organizations will work with local communities to enhance and protect open spaces, connect children to nature and provide education to help communities appreciate and protect natural resources.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the program will concentrate on helping local governments build nature-based playgrounds for children and provide environmental education programs related to water for adults. Grant applications are due May 30, 2014.
Building Better Communities grants of $50,000-to-$150,000 will fund projects in public parks that:
- Build and enhance nature-based playgrounds and natural play spaces for children
- Educate people on environmental stewardship practices related to water
“As people spend less time outdoors they have less of a connection to and appreciation of natural resources,” CEO and President of NRPA, Barbara Tulipane, said in a statement. “That’s why we are thrilled to be working with the American Water Charitable Foundation as it will help people, especially those in urban communities, deepen their connection with nature and foster a greater appreciation and responsibility around the conservation of water, a vital natural resource we must all use wisely.”
Grants from $50,000 to $150,000 will be awarded to fund projects in public parks that build and enhance nature-based play spaces for children or educate people on environmental stewardship practices related to water.
Fibrex Group, Inc. is the mid-Atlantic distributor for Play Mart playgrounds in the states of VA, MD, DC, DE & NJ. We offer & install recycled plastic lumber playground equipment which connects children to nature and their natural environment, without harming natural resources in the production process. Check out our spring sale at for some great deals on equipment for your park. But hurry, the offer ends June 30, 2014!
American City & County – 5/12/14
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