Section 1. new text begin ACCESSIBLE SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS; APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) $315,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the natural resources fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for grants to school districts for accessible and inclusive
school playgrounds. This is a onetime appropriation and is from revenue deposited in the
natural resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (j). Of this
amount, at least $100,000 is for:
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new text begin (1) Independent School District No. 196, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, for a
playground at Deerwood Elementary School;
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new text begin (2) Independent School District No. 197, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan, for a
playground at Somerset Elementary School; and
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new text begin (3) Independent School District No. 199, Inver Grove Heights, for a playground at Hilltop
Elementary School.
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new text begin (b) A school district receiving a grant under this section must use the funds to:
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new text begin (1) replace, repair, expand, or install playground equipment;
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new text begin (2) create accessible routes to the playground equipment; or
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new text begin (3) install unitary surface material to expand accessibility.
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new text begin (c) A grant recipient must have its playground plans previewed before construction or
reviewed after the installation is complete by a certified playground safety inspector or a
Minnesota certified accessibility specialist. The preview or review, limited to no more than
two percent of the grant amount, must include:
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new text begin (1) the elements of the play area; and
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new text begin (2) the commonly traveled sidewalks or trails leading to the playground for use by
community members outside of the school day.
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new text begin (d) By January 1, 2026, the grant recipients must submit a report in accordance with
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195, to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
education and environment and natural resources documenting the spending at each
playground, identifying the actions that best furthered accessibility and inclusion, and
recommending ways that other school districts may increase the accessibility and inclusion
of their school playgrounds.
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new text begin (e) Up to five percent of this appropriation is for administration.
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