Local commitments to system recovery and maintenance

(a) Local park and recreation recovery action programs (1) In general As a requirement for approval of a project or program for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 103(a), the eligible local government applying for the grant shall submit to the Secretary a local park and recreation recovery action program that— (A) provides evidence of its commitment to ongoing planning, rehabilitation, service, operation, and maintenance programs for its park and recreation systems; and (B) maximizes coordination of all community resources, including other federally supported urban development and recreation programs. (2) Interim preliminary programs The Secretary shall provide, by regulation, that during an initial interim period the requirement under paragraph (1) for an eligible local government to submit a local park and recreation recover action program may be satisfied by submission of a preliminary action program to be carried out by the eligible local government that defines objectives, priorities, and implementation strategies for overall system recovery and maintenance and commit such local government to a scheduled program development process. (3) 5-year action program After the expiration of the interim period under paragraph (2), each eligible local government that applies for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 103(a) shall, as a condition of eligibility for such grant, submit to the Secretary a 5-year park and recreation recovery action program that demonstrates— (A) identification of recovery objectives, priorities, and implementation strategies; (B) adequate planning for rehabilitation of specific recreational areas and facilities, including projections of the cost of proposed projects; (C) capacity and commitment to ensure that facilities provided or improved under this title shall thereafter continue to be adequately maintained, protected, staffed, and supervised; (D) intention to maintain total local public outlays for park and recreation purposes at levels at least equal to those in the year preceding that in which grant assistance is sought, except in any case where a reduction in park and recreation outlays is proportionate to a reduction in overall spending by the applicant; and (E) the relationship of the park and recreation recovery action program to overall community development and urban revitalization efforts. (4) Continuing planning process The Secretary may, in such cases as the Secretary considers appropriate, encourage local governments to meet recovery action program requirements under this section through a continuing planning process that includes periodic improvements and updates in recovery action program submissions to eliminate identified gaps in program information and policy development. (b) Special considerations Each local park and recreation recovery action program required by this section shall address, at a minimum, the following special considerations: (1) Rehabilitation of existing recreational areas and facilities, including— (A) general systemwide renovation; (B) special rehabilitation requirements for recreational areas and facilities in areas of high population concentration and economic distress; and (C) restoration of outstanding or unique structures, landscaping, or similar features in parks of historical or architectural significance. (2) Local commitments to innovative and cost-effective programs and projects at the neighborhood level to augment recovery of park and recreation systems, including— (A) recycling of abandoned schools and other public buildings for recreation purposes; (B) multiple use of operating educational and other public buildings; (C) purchase of recreation services on a contractual basis; (D) use of mobile facilities and recreational, cultural, and educational programs or other innovative approaches to improving access for neighborhood residents; (E) integration of the recovery action program with federally assisted projects to maximize recreation opportunities through conversion of abandoned railroad and highway rights-of-way, waterfront, and other redevelopment efforts and such other federally assisted projects, as appropriate; (F) conversion to recreational use of street space, derelict land, and other public lands not now designated for neighborhood recreational use; and (G) use of various forms of compensated and uncompensated land regulation, tax inducements, or other means to encourage the private sector to provide neighborhood park and recreation facilities and programs. (c) Publication of requirements The Secretary shall establish and publish in the Federal Register requirements for preparation, submission, and updating of local park and recreation recovery action programs required under this section. (d) Innovation and recreation program grants for at-Risk youth To be eligible to receive an innovation and recreation program grant under section 103(a)(2) to be used to provide recreation opportunities or programs for at-risk youth, an eligible local government shall— (1) include in its 5-year park and recreation recovery action program required under subsection (a)(3) the goal of— (A) utilizing new ideas, concepts, and approaches aimed at improving facility design, operations, or programming in the delivery of recreation services; (B) increased access of therapeutic or other recreation services to veterans and military families; or (C) reducing crime and juvenile delinquency; and (2) provide a description of— (A) implementation strategies to achieve such goals; and (B) how the local government is coordinating its recreation programs with other community development or service agencies.