To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Jeff Brauer, Interim Parks and Recreation Director
Title
Resolution: Supporting a Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grant Application to the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund for the Festival Park Project
Body
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Executive Summary
The purpose of this agenda item is to obtain a Town Council Resolution Supporting a Grant Application for a Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grant to the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund for the Completion of the Festival Park Project. A Town Council resolution in support of the grant is required as part of the application process. The grant application to GOCO will include a request for the maximum available award of $350,000.
If the grant is approved, the money will be used to fund a portion of the construction of improvements to Festival Park. Festival Park is an existing park located in the heart of Downtown at 300 Second Street. The proposed redesign of the park will improve upon the full potential of the park with additional amenities and as a destination and community gathering location. It will also provide even greater opportunities for drop-in use.
This new grant application is due on November 5, 2015 and grant awards will be announced on March 17, 2016. If awarded, the Town has up to two years, or until March 18, 2018, to complete construction of the improvements. The Town of Castle Rock will be required to secure 70% of matching funds and a minimum of 10% of cash match if the grant is awarded. The project is scheduled for completion prior to the March 18, 2018 grant completion timeline and therefore, would meet the project timeframe if awarded.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
Public outreach and participation in the planning efforts has been a key part of the project design process. There have been two interactive community open houses in May and June, three interactive community presentations were held at the Starlighting Movie events in June, July and September, three presentations to the Downtown Alliance (open to the public), one working session with the Town Council (open to the public), and one final presentation to the Town Council on October 20.
In addition to these outreach events, there was a multi-media outreach effort that included mailers, posters and flyers for local businesses and regular social media updates. The community was also invited to offer feedback online at #CRFestivalPark or using Facebook and Twitter. Information about the project is also available at the project website, CRgov.com/FestivalPark.
Discussion
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) now offers Local Parks and Recreation (LPOR) Grants only on an annual basis, so it is a very competitive grant process. This LPOR grant program is intended to fund projects such as the Festival Park Project that provides new or improved parks, outdoor recreation amenities and environmental education facilities.
The Town has submitted other grant applications in the past that were successfully approved. The following is a list of successful grant applications submitted to GOCO in recent years:
• 2013: $250,000 LPOR Grant for Philip S. Miller Park Phase 1 (adventure playground and environmental education amenities)
• 2012: $194,000 State Trails Construction Grant for Hangman’s Gulch Phase 2 Project;
• 2008: $230,000 State Trails Grant for the East Plum Creek Trail Zemp/Clingman Acquisition;
• 2007: $200,000 State Trails Construction Grant for the East Plum Creek Trail Connection;
• 2006: $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition Grant for Crystal Valley Butte (now known as Quarry Mesa);
Grant awards for this process will be made by GOCO on March 17, 2016. If approved, the Town of Castle Rock has two years from the award date to complete construction of the proposed improvements. The purpose of this resolution is to provide the required Town Council support for the grant application.
Budget Impact
This application will supplement the funding required to construct the project. Festival Park funding will be presented for Town Council approval at a later date.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of A Resolution Supporting a Grant Application for a Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grant to the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund and Completion of the Festival Park Project.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve A Resolution Supporting a Grant Application for a Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grant to the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund and Completion of the Festival Park Project.”
Attachments
Attachment A Resolution
Exhibit 1 Application