Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Monday, February 10, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that the National Park Service has approved $841,827 in federal dollars for outdoor recreation projects in six Missouri cities from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). “This partnership shows a strong commitment between the Federal government and local communities to provide recreation areas to be enjoyed by Missourians for generations to come," said Bond.

As part of the LWCF matching grants, the following six Missouri cities will receive $841,827 in federal funding:

Clinton, Wagner Complex Development, $207,716

Ferguson, January Wabash Lake Renovation, $103,858

Joplin, Landreth Park Renovation, $192,138

Memphis, Memphis Legion Park Swimming Pool Renovation, $176,559

Puxico, Houck Park Renovation/Development, $46,429

West Plains, Galloway Creek Nature Park Development, $115,127

The LWCF provides matching funds to local communities to help acquire, develop, improve and maintain high quality outdoor recreation areas and open space, assuring that the recreation opportunities provided will be available for all Americans to enjoy. Enacted in 1964, the LWCF provides conservation funds derived from receipts from oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf. The law authorizes up to $900 million a year in LWCF funding.

Since the program’s creation, the federal government has given $3.2 billion to local communities throughout the country.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.