500 PARKS PART OF BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
by Cherrie H. Hall

Program Officer, Horizons '76, American Revolution Bicentennial Administration 2401 E. St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20276 As presented at the National Symposium on Parks, Recreation, Environment 1975

(Editors Note: This article first appeared in the May, '75 issue of Park Maintenance magazine. Our thanks are extended to Erik Madisen, editor, for permission to reprint this information.)

The American Revolution Bicentennial Administration's mandate from Congress is to stimulate, encourage, develop and coordinate programs and events both national and international. By law we cannot operate programs, and Congress did not establish the ARBA as a funding agency.

Our administrator is John Warner, former Secretary of the Navy. We have regional directors in each of the ten Federal regions, and we assisted in the establishment of bicentennial commissions in the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

The Bicentennial has three thematic program areas: Heritage '76, Festival USA and Horizons '76. Horizons '76 is that component of the Bicentennial that provides all Americans with the opportunity to develop a project or activity which improves the quality of life—a better tomorrow for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, our country and our world.

Horizons '76 provides the framework for establishing priorities, setting goals and objectives and achieving goals, and it encourages participation by all, including youth, minorities, ethnic groups handicapped people, and the aging.

The Horizons program encompasses ten action areas which have been delineated for program emphasis. As a program manager, I have four areas of concern: health, learning, leisure and the environment.

To find out what was going on throughout the United States involving park development for the Bicentennial, I requested a printout from BINET, ARBA's Bicentennial Information Network. I was amazed to discover that almost 500 parks are being planned for the Bicentennial.

Let me share some of them with you: Little Lakes of the Woods, Iowa; Toledo Bend, La. Reservoir Park—and indoor/outdoor cultural, education and recreation complex geared to water-oriented sports, natural woods and wilderness, children's play and adventure paradise and educational activities; Wetlands Bicentennial Park; Veterans Memorial State Park in Boise, Idaho; Guam's Bicentennial Park with 4,000 acres and an artificial lake; People-to-People Park in Providence, R.I., an inner city park; Independence Park, Maryland; Golden Lake Restoration and Recreation Project of North Dakota; Corrider Trail Network in Des Moines, Iowa; the Cavendish Gorge, Vermont Recreational Center; and the St. Joseph Bicentennial River Park in Niles, Michigan located within city-limits and containing boat ramps, docks, paths, observation decks and camping.

You are probably wondering why so many communities and states are planning parks as a Bicentennial activity. I believe that ARBA can take some credit for stimulating this kind of endeavor. Years ago, we presented a wonderful plan, the Bicentennial Parks program, which would have established parks through the country, primarily near metropolitan areas. Although funding was not provided by Congress, people all over the country liked the idea of creating a permanent legacy for the Bicentennial.

Another reason might be that through ARBA's Bicentennial Communities program, a city, town or country must develop a project of lasting value in order to qualify for our special Bicentennial Community designation. What has more lasting value than a park?

Because of the enormous interest development, you probably have more opportunities related to the Bicentennial effort than any group I can name. You have a unique contribution to make.

Parks fit so logically into the Horizons '76 program. They are long-lasting and enhance and enrich the quality of life. I personally believe that parks are basic to the survival of the human race.

Now to funding sources for park development and maintenance. I wish I could tell you that ARBA has millions of dollars to give away for such worthy Bicentennial projects like park programs—nothing would please me more. However, the picture is not all bleak since I do have some information about funding which may be helpful.

The private sector is, and should be, a resource for Bicentennial projects and activities. A park is a natural and significant way to involve corporations, foundations and organizations, and it provides local business men with an ideal and very visible image for a Bicentennial contribution—either in land or money.

May I suggest to you that you either initiate a local Bicentennial commission, or if one exists, join forces; recommend a new park or additional facilities that will improve the park as a Bicentennial project for your community; suggest that unique recreational opportunities be developed for the Bicentennial; provide leisure facilities for special groups—the young, the poor, the aging or the handicapped; contact local business men to assist you in a Bicentennial effort that is meaningful; and remember that there is time for Horizons. 1976 is merely a focal point for the Horizons program. Most of the programming being done in the leisure/environment area will last well into the Third Century.

We hope that people all over the United States will sense the greatness of this moment and participate in the Bicentennial; will consider it a privilege to be alive during this

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Bicentennial era; and will reflect on the many accomplishments of our Nation. We now have a chance to continue to build while striving to improve the quality of life in the next century. Our 200th birthday is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity— I urge you not to miss it.

When you are asked by your grandchildren or great-grandchildren in years to come, "What did you do for the 200th anniversary of the USA?" you can answer, "I participated. I helped shape a better today!"

BICENTENNIAL FUNDING SOURCES

The following is a list of sources for Bicentennial funding:

1. American Revolution Bicentennial Administration

Appropriated

Funds are available through ARBA in the form of matching grants. Each state is entitled to not less than $200,000. This is appropriated money, pursuant to Section 7 (a) (2) of PL 93-179. One first contacts his State Commission; the State Commission reviews the project to determine its eligibility. The State Commission than makes application for grant funds by submitting form, "Application for Federal Assistance." It then goes to the Regional Director, ARBA, who in turn reviews it and transmits it with recommendations to ARBA Administrator. Money then either is or is not granted to State Commission and everything from that point is handled through the State Commission. (These applications should be received by ARBA no later than June 30, 1976.)

Non-appropriated

Money from sale of PNC's and Commemorative Medals is available in form of matching grants to each state commission in amount of $40,000. State Commission follows same procedure as above for appropriated grants.

2. National Park Service.

The National Historic Preservation Act authorizes federal matching grants-in-aid to the states and to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grants may be used for statewide historical surveys, the preparation of state historic preservation plans and the acquisition and restoration of individual properties. Grants for individual preservation projects may be made through the states to eligible public or private recipients. To qualify for aid, properties must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places and need financial assistance. Funded projects must conform to a statewide historic preservation plan approved by the National Park Service. The state historic preservation officer directs the state's grant-in-aid program, historical surveys and preservation planning. Questions about a state's historic preservation program should be addressed to the preservation officer. A list of the historical preservation officers is included in the National Trust Directory for Bicentennial Planning.

3. National Trust Consultant Service Grant Program.

This matching grant program enables the National Trust to aid a limited number of organizations in securing consultants to advise on development and execution of preservation projects. Any nonprofit public or private member organization may apply, but because funds are limited the program is competitive. The National Trust maintains a reference file of historic professionals. When requested, a list of consultants in a specific field of historic preservation is furnished to an organization. Applications are available from: Department of Field Services, National Trust, 740-748 Jackson Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

4. National Historic Preservation Fund (NHPF).

The fund, administered by the National Trust, is designed to encourage and assist private efforts to preserve by acquisition through the establishment and operation of local revolving funds. Through the fund, the National Trust offers financial assistance in the form of grants, loans or guarantees to its nonprofit member organizations. A portion of the fund's resources is available to meet unforeseen emergency needs; to be so considered, a property must be in imminent danger or serious impairment. The resources of the fund are not available for brick-and-mortar restoration projects, general organizational administrative costs, educational programs or conferences. A letter of intent describing the proposed project must be received by the Department of Field Services, National Trust, before application material will be forwarded. Information may be obtained from: Department of Field Services, National Trust.

5. American Association for State and Local History.

This organization has a program that provides professional consultants to assist historical museums. The program is intended to help the imaginative, needy historical museum improve its services to the public. Historical organizations may apply for assistance on specific projects such as exhibits, documentation, conservation, cataloguing or evaluating their general management procedures. Preference is given to small, local history groups, although applications from larger institutions for specialized consultation are considered. Inquiries and requests for application forms should be addressed to: Pamela Johnson, Director, Consulting Services, American Association for State and Local History, 1315 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, Tenn. 37203.

6. National Endowments for the Arts.

The National Endowment for the Arts will continue to encourage applicants with Bicentennial projects to apply to its regular program areas, outlined in the Guide to Programs, available upon request. In addition to these regular grants, the Endowment has initiated Bicentennial Public Media and Inquiries concerning these efforts should be made to Miss Lee Fleming, Assistant Director, Bicentennial, Bicentennial Resources Development Project, National Endowment for the Arts, 2401 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20506.

7. National Endowment for the Humanities.

The fiscal year 1975 budget for the Endowment is $72 million. Approximately one-fourth of these funds is expected to be used for research, formal education and informal public education activities exploring the heritage of the nation as reflected through the humanities. A program announcement can be obtained from; National Endowment for the Humanities, Public Information Office, 806 15th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20506.

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8. America the Beautiful Fund.

Through its Rediscover America program, the fund gives advice, recognition and public service time and support to individuals and groups with projects to revitalize community interest in local history and town environment. It also gives selective seed grants to innovative and practical programs. While this grant program is not limited to consultant services, it does not provide brick-and-mortar project money. New programs with local sponsorship, contributions and participation have the best chance of support from the fund. For more information on available assistance and application procedures, outline the project in a letter to: America the Beautiful Fund, c/o P. B. Dowling, Executive Director, 219 Shoreham Building, Washington, D.C. 20005.

9. Department of Justice.

IPRS President Richard Johns (left) presents Bill Kurtis (center), anchorman for WLS-TV news; and M. Stanley Hughey (right). Executive Vice President or Kemper Insurance with on award for their participation in the Lecture Series. Bill Kurtis was the keynote speaker or the Communication Workshop.

The Law Enforcement Assistance Administration has made available small amounts of funds, with the concurrence of affected states and local governments, to areas most heavily impacted by the Bicentennial for planning to meet the law enforcement and criminal justice operational and coordination needs for the Bicentennial. Funds for planning and coordination will be made available only on a showing by applicants that there are planned long-range benefits either in crime reduction or in the improvement of the effectiveness of law enforcement and criminal justice systems in the impacted areas.

Grants will be in the $40,000 to $60,000 range per year for one year. Eligible applicants will include states, local governments and combinations of local governments which have law enforcement and criminal justice planning and coordination responsibilities.

10. National Endowment for the Humanities.

Youth Grants in the Humanities offers young people—those both in and out of school—an opportunity to explore their own interests in the humanities and to enlarge their education and social experience. For information, write: Youth-grants in the Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, D.C. 20506.

Additional Information Department of Health, Education, and Welfare has regional Bicentennial Coordinators who can answer questions about funding. Federal Information Centers can supply names and telephone numbers.

Bikeway Construction Funds.
Contact State highway commission or division engineer.

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