The department may award a grant pursuant to this chapter only for a project that meets all of the following criteria:

(a) The proposed project will create a new park where one currently does not exist, a new recreational facility, or new recreational opportunity.

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(b) The applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the project is located in a critically underserved community, or in the case of a regional park or trail, the project is within close proximity to one or more critically underserved communities.

(c) The proposed project is designed to provide efficient use of water and other natural resources, which may include, but is not limited to, projects that use climate-appropriate vegetation, reduce stormwater runoff, capture and store stormwater, minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers, incorporate pervious surfaces into project design, or use construction methods that use recycled materials and minimize construction waste.

(d) The amount of the grant applied for, together with any matching contribution, will meet all the costs of acquiring or developing, or both, the new park or facilities, or new recreational opportunities, and when construction of the project is completed, the new park or facility will be fully usable by the residents of the critically underserved community.

(e) The project applicant or partnering entities will provide for public safety and recreational opportunities following project completion.

(f) Following project completion, the project’s weekday and weekend operating hours will accommodate the needs of the community residents. Entrance or membership fees shall not significantly deter use by community residents. Pursuant to receiving these funds, fees cannot be limited to nonresidents of the community in which the park space or recreational opportunity is located.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 623, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2009.)