Title
Resolution Authorizing Match Grant Application for 2016 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant for Keeley Park Phase II Project
Body
Department: Parks and Recreation
Council District: 2
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Wade Walcutt, Director, Parks and Recreation, 373-2964
Contact 2 and Phone: Vonda Martin, Planner, Parks and Recreation, 433-7360
PURPOSE:
The Parks and Recreation Department seeks to apply for a $500,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant for Keeley Park Phase II development project. The PARTF grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match of $500,000, which is included in the Keeley Park Phase II development’s existing project budget of $2,011,595. City Council approval is required for this matching grant, which has an application deadline date of May 2, 2016. If the grant is awarded, the funding would be utilized for Phase II improvements to include additional park amenities as recommended by the updated Keeley Park Master Plan. This Agenda Item accompanies Agenda Item # 16-0319.
BACKGROUND:
The North Carolina General Assembly established the PARTF on July 16, 1994 to fund improvements in the state's park system, to fund grants for local governments and to increase the public's access to the state's beaches. The Parks and Recreation Authority, a nine-member appointed board, was also created to allocate funds from PARTF to the state parks and to the grants program for local governments. PARTF provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants to local governments to assist with parks and recreation projects that serve the public.
In 2007, the City was awarded a $500,000 PARTF Grant for the initial design and construction of Phase I of Keeley Park which was completed in 2011. At the conclusion of a comprehensive public input process in March 2016, an updated master plan for Keeley Park was completed. The updated master plan, which satisfies a requirement of the competitive PARTF grant process, incorporates recommendations for additional recreational amenities based on input received by residents. The total grant fund request is $500,000, requiring a dollar-for-dollar match. If the grant is awarded, the funds will be used for Phase II development of Keeley Park, which will include four additional shelters, outdoor fitness equipment, walking trails, disc golf, mountain bike trails, cornhole courts and renovations to the sprayground, playground and community garden.
BUDGET IMPACT: Parks and Recreation has budgeted 2008 bond funds allocated for Keeley Park Phase II development. If the grant is awarded, the local match of $500,000 will be utilized from the existing budget for a total project budget of $2,011,595.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Parks and Recreation Department requests City Council approval and adoption of a resolution authorizing the PARTF matching grant in the amount of $500,000. This recommendation is contingent upon City Council approval of accompanying Agenda Item # 16-0319.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the Community Services Committee.