COVINGTON, KY – On Tuesday evening, the Board of Commissioners authorized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Recreation & Park Association, accepting a $10,000 Community Engagement Grant.

Selected by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and Southwest Airlines®, the Recreation Division will use the grant to engage Covington residents in the planning, design, implementation and ongoing maintenance of a green stormwater infrastructure project.

Developed by the Recreation Division, the division’s green stormwater infrastructure project will be used specifically for community engagement activities at the Licking River Greenway (LRG) Project, working with Holmes High School students in a summer urban ecology work study program.

Parks & Recreation Manager Rosie Santos stated, “This is an exciting opportunity to pilot a work study program for Covington youth.

“In addition to the academic benefits of the program, we believe through project based learning targeted at addressing real issues in the community, the students will feel more civically engaged.”

The program will discuss urban ecology topics including water quality, storm water issues, green infrastructure and caring for Covington's community.

Additionally, students will have the opportunity to work with regional professionals to put their new knowledge into practice by designing a community project. 

The Covington Recreation Division is one of three organizations nationwide to receive a Community Engagement Grant. NRPA will work in partnership with each of these communities to identify best practices and innovative strategies that effectively empower the community to influence the design of a green stormwater infrastructure project best suiting the area’s needs, while also benefiting the local environment.

The grant program is part of NRPA’s Great Urban Parks Campaign, which aims to improve environmental and social outcomes in underserved communities through green stormwater infrastructure projects in local parks.

Grant funding is provided by the National Recreation and Park Association and Southwest Airlines®.

Unlike traditional gray stormwater management, green stormwater infrastructure uses natural processes to filter and slow the flow of water to protect and restore clean and healthy waterways.

To learn more about NRPA’s Great Urban Parks Campaign and the Community Engagement Grant, visit www.nrpa.org/greeninfrastructure.