Title
Resolution Authorizing Match Grant Application for the 2016 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) 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, 373-7710
PURPOSE:
The Parks and Recreation Department seeks to apply for a $250,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for Keeley Park Phase II development project. The LWCF grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match of at least $250,000, which is included in the Keeley Park Phase II development’s existing project budget of $2,011,595. City Council approval is required to apply for this matching grant, which has an application deadline date of November 16, 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.
BACKGROUND:
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) fund was established in 1964 by Congress to create parks and open space, protect wilderness, wetlands, and refuges, preserve habitat and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities. LWCF has historically been a primary funding source of the U.S. Department of the Interior for outdoor recreation development and land acquisition by local governments and state agencies. In North Carolina, the program is administered by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Property acquired or developed with LWCF assistance must be dedicated in perpetuity for public outdoor recreation use.
On October 4, 2016, the City received a recommendation letter from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to submit of an LWCF application for the Keeley Park Phase II project. The City of Greensboro was among 19 local governments that requested to be considered for LWCF funding. An updated master plan for Keeley Park, which was completed and approved by City Council in March 2016, satisfies one of the requirements of the competitive LWCF grant process. The total grant fund request is $250,000 and requires at least a dollar-for-dollar match. If the application is approved, 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 requirement of $765,451 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 LWCF matching grant in the amount of $250,000.