To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Jeff Brauer, Director of Parks and Recreation
Title
Concept Paper Support for Great Outdoors Colorado Connect Initiative Grant Application
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
A top priority identified within the Parks and Recreation Department’s Capital Improvement Plan is the proposed completion of the Colorado Front Range Trail (CFRT) through the Town of Castle Rock. The Department is now seeking the support of Town Council to submit a Concept Paper to the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Connect Initiative grant program for this trail project.
In 2003, with the support of many communities and stakeholders, Colorado State Parks initiated the CFRT. The envisioned network will offer a multi-purpose trail connecting communities along the Front Range from Wyoming to New Mexico. To date, approximately 300 miles have been completed. Once finished, the trail will span 800 miles through fourteen counties.
Castle Rock functions as an essential crossroads for the CFRT. The Town’s portion will provide connectivity from Denver to southern Douglas County, opening a major recreational corridor for hikers, walkers, runners and cyclists. The proposed project will require constructing nearly 5 miles of new trail at an approximate cost of $5 million, extending the East Plum Creek Trail south through Douglas County and the McMurdo Gulch Trail through the Woodlands, Terrain and Cobblestone Ranch neighborhoods.
The Terrain and Lanterns Developments, Douglas County, the Douglas Land Conservancy and the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation will partner with the Town to fund and develop the project. To offset costs, staff will pursue a $2 million Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant through the 2019 Connect Initiative grant program. The Town will be the primary coordinator of the project and grant funds, if awarded.
The first step of the grant application will require staff to submit a Concept Paper to Great Outdoors Colorado by April 4, 2019 detailing the potential project. A Letter of Support from the governing body is a required component of the Concept Paper submission. Staff is requesting that the Parks and Recreation Commission endorse that Council sign the attached Letter of Support for that purpose. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a formal grant application in June 2019.
Discussion
Through the Connect Initiative, GOCO seeks to address existing gaps in trails or trail networks, construct new trail systems in high demand and provide increased access for youth and families to existing parks, open spaces, natural areas and environmental education opportunities. GOCO intends to fund high-quality projects, including ones like this proposed project that offer important connections and increased access to recreational opportunities. If awarded, this grant application would help fund the development of 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, connecting Castle Rock to the existing Cherry Creek Regional Trail.
Connect Initiative applications are subject to a multi-stage review process. The first step in the application process is the submittal of the Concept Paper application, due April 4, 2019. GOCO will then invite select applicants among the proposal packages to submit full applications, which will be due in early August 2019. GOCO will announce the grant awardees in late September. Connect Initiative projects have three years from the award date to be completed.
Budget Impact
The proposed construction cost will be around $5 million based on 5 miles of concrete trail. Design cost will also need to be considered, which usually account for roughly 10 percent of the construction cost giving a $500,000 budgetary design cost estimate. If awarded, the grant application may provide funding of up to $2 million. The Town and partner groups would fund the remainder required to cover the project costs.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommend the submittal of a Concept Paper to GOCO in the 2019 Connect Initiative grant cycle in support of the Colorado Front Range Trail Project in Castle Rock. Staff further recommend that Council sign the Letter of Support.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve that Town Council sign the Letter of Support as part of the Town’s Concept Paper submission to the GOCO Connect Initiative Grant Program for the Colorado Front Range Trail Project in Castle Rock.”
Attachments
Attachment A Letter of Support
Attachment B Colorado Front Range Trail in Castle Rock Project Site Map
Attachment C Concept Paper Summary Form