Parks commission recommends $49,522 in Recreation Incentive Fund grants for eight projects

The Botetourt County Parks and Recreation Commission voted May 4 to recommend approval of eight Recreation Incentive Fund grant applications totaling $49,522.41.

Victor Morales, director of Botetourt County Parks and Recreation, told commissioners the eight proposed projects represent roughly $80,000 in total project value and that the county’s Recreation Incentive Fund budget of $65,000 is sufficient to cover the requested grants. Morales said one application for Limestone Park was removed after staff determined it did not meet the grant criteria, and that the request for bear‑proof trash cans at the Branch Water Park trailhead was revised upward to $9,936 to reflect higher expected costs.

The recommendation was moved by Danny Agee and seconded by Brittany Crigler; the commission approved the motion and Morales said he will present the packet to the Board of Supervisors at its May 26 meeting. If the Board approves the grants, Morales said recipients can begin work immediately and funding will be available beginning July 1, 2026.

Why it matters: the Recreation Incentive Fund supports local parks projects that rely on county grant matching; commission approval advances the projects to the Board of Supervisors for final action and release of funds. The commission cited prior discussion of the applications in an earlier meeting and reviewed the revised cost estimates before voting.

The commission also separately approved the minutes from its April 23 special meeting. No public comment was offered at the May 4 meeting.

Next steps: Morales will present the recommended grant awards to the Board of Supervisors on May 26; the commission will await the board’s final decision and the July 1 availability date for funds if approved.