Hazen P. Moore Park Paddle Share- MISS | NPS NOIP19AP00021

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP19AP00021

The Hazen P. Moore Park Paddle Share - MISS grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: NPS NOIP19AP00021) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, under CFDA 15.941. It is aimed at supporting a community-based project in Cottage Grove, Minnesota that expands public access to the Mississippi River and strengthens public understanding of the river corridor within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The core idea is to use a kayak rental and sharing system as a practical, visible way to connect residents and visitors to the river, especially the backwater areas along Cottage Grove that are known for biological diversity.

The project goals are framed around three connected outcomes. First, it seeks to increase access to the Mississippi River from Cottage Grove by providing kayaks through a Paddle Share rental station. Second, it aims to improve understanding of the natural, cultural, historic, and recreational features of this stretch of the Mississippi, using increased on-the-water experiences as a pathway to learning and appreciation. Third, it focuses on raising general awareness of the Mississippi River locally, so the river is seen not just as scenery, but as a shared public resource tied to ecology, heritage, and outdoor recreation.

The work described is straightforward and implementation-focused. In the first year, the project would install Paddle Share rental infrastructure at Hazen P. Mooer Park, specifically a station designed to hold nine kayaks along with the necessary supporting equipment. After installation, the City of Cottage Grove is responsible for maintaining the equipment for its expected service life, described as five years. In practice, this means the grant is not only about purchasing or placing equipment, but also about setting up a sustainable, locally maintained amenity that continues to operate beyond the initial award period.

The opportunity also fits within a broader National Park Service purpose: helping create, promote, facilitate, or improve the public’s understanding of places such as ecological conservation areas and state or local parks. In this case, the Paddle Share station is positioned as a tool for interpretation and engagement as much as it is a recreation asset. By enabling more people to reach and experience the river’s backwaters directly, the project supports conservation-minded recreation and can reinforce appreciation for habitat, water resources, and the historical and cultural context of the river landscape.

Eligibility is limited to city or township governments, aligning with the project’s reliance on municipal ownership and long-term upkeep. The posting was created on April 22, 2019, with an original closing date of May 2, 2019. The expected number of awards was one, with an award ceiling of $25,104, indicating a single, targeted investment intended to fund a defined installation and launch of the Cottage Grove Paddle Share expansion at Hazen P. Mooer Park.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development, regional development, transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Hazen P. Moore Park Paddle Share- MISS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.941.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 22, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 02, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,104.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: City or township governments.

Apply for NPS NOIP19AP00021

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