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Council backs pursuing Rhode Island DEM recreation grant to advance Fort Richmond/Townhouse Road project
Summary
The council instructed staff to pursue a Rhode Island DEM Recreation Development Grant application for Fort Richmond/Townhouse Road (phase 2), with direction to vet match requirements and potential easement terms before submission; members discussed parallel applications for Beaver River.
The Richmond Town Council voted to move forward with a grant application to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Recreation Development Grant program, targeting phase 2 work at the Fort Richmond/Townhouse Road site.
Interim Town Administrator Erin told the council the DEM grant application is due Nov. 18 and that awards are announced in spring 2026. Erin noted the program requires a local match that may be met with in‑kind DPW work: “One of the things to point out is, even though it requires a match, it can be in kind… DPW, if they’re doing some of the work, that’d be an in kind match.”
Councilors discussed applying for a large grant (up to $500,000) for pickleball courts, playground surfacing, site work and perimeter fencing, or targeting smaller competitive grants for specific items such as playground resurfacing. Councilor Melenchon favored pursuing a larger award to support Townhouse Road work. Councilor Reynolds asked staff to break out prior cost figures for playground, fencing and court surface so the council could prioritize.
Erin warned that a DEM recreation easement is required with awards and asked staff to obtain the sample easement language for council review: “One of the requirements here is a DEM recreation easement… I’d like to request… reach out to DEM and send the council that easement. I’m really concerned about what could be in there.”
After discussion, the council voted to direct staff to prepare a DEM grant application focused on Fort Richmond/Townhouse Road phase 2 and to investigate the possibility of submitting an additional application for Beaver River improvements if the program permits multiple submissions. The motion passed by roll-call vote.
Why it matters: The DEM grant could deliver state funding for courts, playgrounds and site infrastructure that local officials say will expand recreation and summer‑camp capacity. Award announcements are not expected until spring 2026; any cash match would need to be budgeted if the town wins an award.
Next steps: Staff will gather updated cost estimates, request the DEM easement language for legal review, confirm whether multiple applications are permitted, and return with an updated draft application for council approval before Nov. 18 submission.
