Title
2017 PARK BOARD NEIGHBORHOOD PARK GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Address quality of place issues
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Neighborhood Park Grant Program is a capital program (budgeted in the capital projects fund) initiated by the City Council as a means of giving community groups the opportunity to improve and invest in their parks, and the city the ability to stretch its capital funds. Annually since 1997 the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has evaluated applications from neighborhood and community groups, sports organizations, service clubs, and individuals wishing to invest in a project within the park system. The board’s recommendations are then presented to the council for final approval.
The $25,000 that the council has usually budgeted each year for the NPG Program has been used to fund a wide variety of projects. (See the attached list of past sponsors and their projects.) Along with whatever city funds are approved, project applicants are required to contribute a matching amount in cash and/or the value of paid labor and materials; in other words they contribute out of pocket expenses for projects on at least a 1:1 ratio, and sometimes much more. Applicants must complete their projects in entirety and then submit for reimbursement for out of pocket expenses up to 50% of the total cost project.
Project applications are evaluated on the basis of community need, community impact (who will benefit from a project), extent of facility usage or availability during the year, project life span and cost-benefit, future maintenance requirements, readiness to proceed, partnering, enhancement of safety and security, and other factors. The parks board met last month to review applications for funding and now submits the recommendations as shown on the attached matrix for Council consideration. Copies of all of the applications received are also attached for the Council’s information.
This year there were six applications submitted for the Neighborhood Park Grant Program.
- Two applications recommended for funding
- Two applications recommended for funding with the contingency to secure funding for the projects by August 31, 2017
- Applicants do not currently have the funding to proceed with the projects, but have plans in place to do so. The board felt that the need and community impact outweighed the readiness to proceed and recommended funding with contingencies.
- Two applications that were not recommended for funding
- Gerhart Gardens Dog Park Footpath Addition and Shelter - Deemed to not meet monetary threshold
- Old West Side Neighborhood Fountain- Deemed not eligible for funding as it is not located within the park system
MOTION:
Motion to approve the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s recommendations for the 2017 Neighborhood Park Grant Program.
STAFF CONTACT:
Jennifer Wills, Director of Parks and Recreation