Date:

March 8, 2006

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

J.J. Yost, Parks and Recreation, 441-8255

Lincoln Mayor Coleen J. Seng and the City Parks and Recreation Department will award grants from the Community Action Program (CAP) to nine neighborhood associations and community organizations March 9. The presentations will be made during the Mayor’s Neighborhood Roundtable meeting, which begins at 4:30 p.m. in Room 113 at the County-City Building.

“It is the hard work of volunteers that really makes this grants program a success,” said Mayor Seng. “With their investment of time and energy, our limited City resources can be stretched to make more improvements in our great parks system.” Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Johnson said more than $81,000 in project requests were submitted for the $45,000 available through the CAP.

The CAP is funded through City general tax revenues and is approved by the City Council each year as part of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Capital Improvements Program. The program typically provides funding for equipment and materials, and volunteers provide labor. Projects must be constructed on publicly owned property or involve programs available to the general public. The criteria for choosing which projects are funded include locations, neighborhood support for the project and consistency with park plans.

The following groups will receive CAP funding for 2006:

• Hartley Neighborhood Association for Peter Pan Park
• Irvingdale Neighborhood Association for Rudge Memorial Park
• Lincoln Boxing Club for Air Park Recreation Center
• Lincoln Rose Society for Antelope Rose Garden
• Near South Neighborhood Association for Maple Lodge Park
• South Salt Creek Community Organization for Cooper Park
• YWCA for Star Art Project throughout community
• Northeast Family Center
• Northwest Lincoln Skateboard Interest Group