Tennis courts for Charlestown and Hopkinton, skate parks in Coventry and Glocester, playgrounds in Pawtucket and East Providence and basketball courts in South Kingstown and Tiverton - those were the kinds of projects the state helped finance with its last round of grants for recreation development.

Now, that money is gone. That is why the state is asking voters to approve Question 8 - , , $3 million to provide assistance to Rhode Island communities for recreational projects.

Assuming an interest rate of 6 percent over 20 years, the total cost of the bonds is estimated at $5.2 million.

The state administration had planned to wait another two years for more bond money, according to Joseph G. Dias, deputy chief of the division of planning and development at the state Department of Environmental Management. But he said when members of the House Finance Committee learned earlier this year that all of the money from previous bond issues had been distributed, they decided to propose another $3 million to the voters.

If approved, the money would be available with the state budget that goes into effect takes effect July 1, 2007.

DEMThe DEM will distribute the money in grants of up to $40,000 each. with c Communities required to must contribute at least 40 percent towards the cost of each project.

Applications from communities will be evaluated by a special committee that includes representatives of the local chapters of the American Planning Association, and the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, the Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, the Rhode Island Parks and Recreation Association and the Urban League of Rhode Island.

The committee will evaluate whether a proposed project complies with its community’s comprehensive plan, the operation and maintenance records of existing recreation resources, and special features that address state and community goals beyond recreation and natural resource protection.

Some 65 recreational grants were distributed last spring by Gov.Governor Carcieri from 2000 and 2004 bond issues. Some A total of $8 million was distributed to 31 communities. Carcieri said that by funding financing recreational facilities, the state helps its citizens “enjoy all that Rhode Island has to offer.”

When matched by local contributions, the state estimated $17 million in worth of new recreation projects were built.