Legislation Details

File #: 26-6294    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Grant Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 9/9/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 9/22/2026 Final action:
Title: Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 1 for approval to submit an application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for grant funds in the amount of $15,000,000, with a required match of $15,000,000, for the FY27 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant program.
Attachments: 1. Final_Backup_OCA_LocalParkGrant.pdf
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
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Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 1

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Rodney Ellis, Commissioner, Precinct 1

 

Secondary Department: N/A

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Grant - Application

 

Project ID (if applicable):

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

 

MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):

MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):

Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal:  N/A - Goal is not 0% and is listed above

 

Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%

Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Commissioners Court Office

 

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):

title

Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 1 for approval to submit an application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for grant funds in the amount of $15,000,000, with a required match of $15,000,000, for the FY27 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant program.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program is a nationally competitive grant program that provides funding to help communities create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors. This program is funded by the National Park Service and awarded through Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD).

 

Harris County Precinct One - Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis (OCRE) proposes to transform Tom Bass Park into a resilient multifunctional outdoor recreation destination. The project will construct a wetland with trails and boardwalks consisting of viewing and interpretive features; dual-use soccer fields; pickle ball courts; a nature-based playground; parking areas incorporating green infrastructure and low-impact development features; a coastal prairie with walking trails; an elevated multi-use path to connect to an adjacent Pct. 1 park; public art; related amenities; and gathering spaces. These improvements will expand public recreation, connect residents with nature, restore habitat, and improve stormwater and water-quality resilience.

 

 

 

Expected Impact:

This project will provide increased access to outdoor recreation opportunities and promote conservation and ecological benefits.

 

 

Alternative Options:

Commissioners Court could decide not to continue with the application process and forego funding for these renovations.

 

 

County Strategic Plan Goal:  2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.

County Strategic Plan Objective: Choose an item.

Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):  Choose an item.

Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):  I1: Develop a countywide parks network and connectivity plan.

Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.

Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.

Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.

Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.

 

Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

 

 

 

 

Location:

Address (if applicable):

Precinct(s): Precinct 1

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

FY27 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

 

 

Current Fiscal Year Cost

Annual Fiscal Cost

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

Recurring Expenses

Funding Sources

 

Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Total Existing Budget

$

$

$

$

Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

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$

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Request

$

$

$

$

Total Funding Sources

$

$

$

$

Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only)

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

No. of Grant Years

Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Bonds

$

$15,000,000

$15,000,000

 

Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item.

$

$

$

 

Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total)

$

$15,000,000

$15,000,000

 

Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s)

 

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

-

-

Additional Positions Request

-

-

-

-

Total Personnel

-

-

-

-

 

County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only)

CAO Reviewer Name and Title

 

CAO Review Completion Date

Click or tap to enter a date.

 

Anticipated Court Date: 9/22/2026

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/1/2026

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Jesal Shah, Deputy Director of Drainage & Policy

 

Attachments (if applicable): Resolution, Draft Grant Proposal, Assurances, Notice of Funding Opportunity