Title
Resolution for the Acceptance and Approval of the Donation and Construction of Safety Town at Barber Park
Body
Department: Parks and Recreation
Council District: 1
Council Priority: Ensure Fiscal Stewardship, Transparency, & Accountability
Public Hearing: n/a
Advertising Date/By: n/a
Contact 1 and Phone: Nasha McCray, 433-7360
Contact 2 and Phone: Brian James, 433-7380
PURPOSE:
Requesting a resolution to accept and approve the donation of a turn-key construction and installation of Safety Town at Barber Park.
BACKGROUND:
The City’s first and only Safety Town is currently located at Lewis Community Recreation Center and operates as a summer program, in partnership between the Greensboro Police Department, the Nat Greene Kiwanis Club of Greensboro, and other community partners and volunteers. The program, which has been in operation for over 35 years, is designed for children who are ages 5-6 and promotes safety lessons on strangers, traffic, pedestrians, fire, bicycles, bus, poisons (including drugs), water and guns.
In 2015, a second Safety Town, along with other improvements and enhancements at Barber Park, were included as part of the park’s approved updated master plan. Safety Town at Barber Park would feature the same program elements as the existing location, while also potentially offering a unique railroad safety educational component. Additionally, the second location demonstrates the continued partnership and collaboration between Greensboro Police and Parks and Recreation Departments to support the City’s commitment to leveraging and prioritizing investment in its residents and the communities where they live. Due to funding constraints for Barber Park Phase II development at the time; however, the Safety Town component of the project was removed.
In late 2020, interest in fundraising and constructing the Safety Town location at Barber Park began to re-galvanize. A campaign, spearheaded by the Greensboro Police Foundation and Bryan Foundation, was launched to raise the needed funding to update technical drawings and for construction. The amenity will be constructed adjacent to an existing parking lot within the park, and will be a turn-key donation to the City at the completion of construction. To ensure that Safety Town at Barber Park meets and complements the needs of residents and future participants, a series of community conversations and engagement activities will be held in June/July 2021 to re-introduce the Safety Town concept to the community and to receive feedback and suggestions on program model and operation.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There will not be an impact to the operating budget for acceptance of this donation. The project will be a turn-key construction donation managed by the City of Greensboro. The final construction and associated structures will be incorporated into the City’s capital assets once completed.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is requested that City Council accept and approve the donation of a turn-key construction and installation of Safety Town at Barber Park.