DENVER – For the first time, the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) School Play Yard Initiative will offer funding for professional design services to successful grantees for the 2015 grant cycle. Over $600,000 will be awarded to six schools over the course of GOCO’s competitive grant process for the design and construction of school play yards.

Now in its third year of funding, the GOCO School Play Yard Initiative invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds towards improving outdoor recreation and education spaces for children throughout Colorado. This includes school play yards, outdoor classrooms, and other spaces for free play that have an emphasis on natural components.

Applications for design services are now being accepted for consideration by the GOCO Board, and schools across the state are invited to submit applications in partnership with their local governments. Completed applications are due Oct. 1, 2014.

For complete grant specifications and to download an application, prospective grantees can visit www.goco.org/schools. Any further questions pertaining to the grant application process should be directed to Luke Bolinger at lbolinger@goco.org.

School Play Yard projects must be proposed through a partnership between a local government and a school or school district. Projects should have an emphasis on natural components and must be inspired by students. Funding can be used to develop a new school play yard and/or to enhance or improve existing school play yards.

Applicants for the 2015 GOCO School Play Yard Initiative will take part in a two-step competitive grant process. First, schools and their accompanying local government partners will apply for professional design services. GOCO will award six schools with funding for professional consultants, who will empower students, school staff and administration, local government, and the community in the planning and design process for project construction.

After the design and planning process is complete, the six schools awarded professional design service grants will then compete for up to $684,000 in funds for construction of their play yard. A second application will be required for construction grants.

Successful applicants to receive design assistance will be notified Oct. 17, 2014, and will be expected to submit applications for project construction by Jan. 21, 2015.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created by voters in 1992, GOCO has funded more than 3,500 projects in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support. The grants are funded by GOCO’s share of Colorado Lottery revenues, which are divided between GOCO, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Conservation Trust Fund and school construction. For more information, visit goco.org.

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