To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Jeff Brauer, Director of Parks and Recreation
Title
Resolution Approving the Grant Agreement Between the Town of Castle Rock and the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund for the Colorado Front Range Trail Project
Body
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Executive Summary
The purpose of this agenda item is to seek Town Council approval of a Resolution supporting a grant agreement with the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Trust Fund to accept $2 million for the completion of the Colorado Front Range Trail Project in Castle Rock.
In 1994, GOCO created a statewide grant program pursuant to which eligible entities could apply for grants for local government parks and outdoor recreation projects. In July 2019, Town Council unanimously approved the submission of a grant application to GOCO’s Connect Initiative program to obtain funding to help complete segments of the Colorado Front Range Trail in Castle Rock. Later that fall, the Town was selected to receive a $2 million grant award. Prior to the distribution of these funds, the Town must now verify the due diligence requirements established by GOCO as outlined in the attached agreement to be approved by resolution.
GOCO’s Connect Initiative focuses on connecting existing trail gaps, constructing new, highly demanded trail systems and providing increased access for youth and families to existing parks, open spaces, natural areas and environmental education opportunities. The Front Range trail initiative began in 2003 by Colorado State Parks, with the support of many communities and stakeholders, to offer a multi-purpose trail connecting communities from New Mexico to Wyoming. Castle Rock functions as the southern crossroad for the network: East Plum Creek, Hangman’s Gulch, Woodlands and McMurdo Gulch trails now link travelers from Denver to Colorado Springs. The project developed 1.7 miles of paved and soft-surface trail southward along the East Plum Creek and 3.3 miles of paved trail along the McMurdo Gulch, linking Castle Rock to the existing Cherry Creek Regional Trail.
The Town had three years from the original grant award date to complete construction of the project, but a 12-month extension was approved in August 2022 by GOCO staff to extend through September 30, 2023, along with an additional extension provided in September 2023 to carry through to November 2023. The signed grant agreement must now be submitted to GOCO for review and approval prior to the distribution of the $2 million grant funds.
Budget Impact
This grant award will supplement the funding already appropriated from the Annual Trails Improvement Account to design and construct the Colorado Front Range Trail project in Castle Rock.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution supporting the Agreement between the Town and the State Board of the Great Outdoors Trust Fund.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title.”
Alternative motions:
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title, with the following conditions: (list conditions).”
“I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on (date) to allow additional time to (list information needed).”
Attachments
Resolution
Agreement
Attachment A - Project Map