DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Homer Garcia III
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Districts 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
SUBJECT:
Local Park Grant Application to Texas Parks and Wildlife for Playgrounds and Dan Markson Park
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in an amount of up to $1,000,000.00 for the Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant, as part of the Local Park Grant Program. This ordinance also authorizes acceptance of the grant upon award in a cumulative amount of up to $1,000,000.00, to be used for new playground improvements at Dawson, Herrera, Heritage Duck Pond, and Acme Parks in Council District 2, 3, 4, and 6, respectively and new park development at Dan Markson Park in Council District 8, and amends the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program upon award of grant funds.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) released a call for applications for the Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant with applications due on November 6, 2020. The TPWD will consider grant requests at their annual meeting in May 2021 and funding will be awarded in the Summer of 2021. Grant awards are for a period of three years with optional extensions if requested to accommodate project delivery.
The department is partnering with TPWD on this grant to replace four playground structures at Dawson, Herrera, Heritage Duck Pond, and Acme Parks. These projects will enhance opportunities for families and children to enjoy the outdoors and provide new playscapes that will include shade canopies and new playground surfacing. Based on the City's Equity Atlas score, the Parks and Recreation Department has identified these playground improvement locations as priority based on community need and is consistent with the playground replacement schedule.
The 2017-2022 Bond Program provided $500,000.00 in funding for park land acquisition and development of a ne...
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