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Supervisors approve changes to Recreation Incentive Fund; parks staff outline grants and recent facility upgrades
Summary
The Board approved revisions to the Recreation Incentive Fund application window and project timeline and heard an update on parks projects including court refurbishments, Boca Wild festival, grant-funded kayak pool and a wheelchair-accessible van.
The Board of Supervisors approved an update to Botetourt County’s Recreation Incentive Fund that expands the application window, shortens project-completion timelines and raises the maximum award level, and county parks staff summarized recent grant awards and completed park upgrades.
The approved changes to the county’s matching grant program (the Recreation Incentive Fund) include: a longer application window (staff proposed moving application opening to January with two months to apply), a requirement that awarded projects be “shovel-ready” with project completion within 12 months (replacing an 18-month completion window), and an increase in the maximum match level (staff and board discussed raising the grant cap to $15,000, up from the prior $10,000 cap). The changes are intended to give applicants more time to prepare applications while encouraging prompt project starts and avoiding quote/price escalation issues.
Parks and Recreation Director Victor Morales summarized recent projects and outside funding: a $25,000 grant and a purchased wheelchair-accessible van (the county purchased a used, low-mileage vehicle with a $25,000 Community Foundation grant to support transportation to medical appointments), a $160,000 Recreational Trails Program grant (paired with a $43,000 “forest sustainability” local match) to build a boat ramp at Last Lock Park, and donations such as a $11,300 bank donation to support a kayaking pool. Morales also reviewed completed court renovations at Blue Ridge Park and Buchanan Recreation Park (tennis/pickleball conversions and refurbished basketball courts) and the Boca Wild outdoor recreation festival, which drew large public participation.
Why it matters: The fund provides a county match that has historically enabled community groups to complete local recreation projects; Morales told the board the program has funded $826,000 in County awards since 1998 and helped deliver roughly $3.16 million in projects to local parks and facilities. The board and staff said the grant updates aim to make awards more predictable and reduce administrative carryover between fiscal years.
Votes and next steps: The board approved the fund changes and directed parks staff to implement the new application window and update grant materials. Parks staff will advertise the new schedule when the application window opens.
Ending: Parks staff said they will continue pursuing outside grants and partnerships to leverage county funds for additional park and trail improvements.
