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 new park in Council District 8. The Maverick Creek neighborhood association donated approximately 20 acres of property located at Hausman Road and Babcock; this park is now officially named Dan Markson Park. Based on community response, this park will feature an all-inclusive playground along with a restroom facility and an adult changing station; walking path; picnic tables, lighting; and parking. The development of this park creates an opportunity for our local park system to provide the first all-inclusive playground for the enjoyment of families and children of all abilities.
ISSUE:
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department grant is consistent with City policy to apply for grants to enhance service delivery by supplementing local funds. This proposed grant application is also consistent with the adopted SA Parks System Plan which promotes partnerships as a resourceful way for program delivery.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City could choose not to submit the TPWD grant application and require staff to seek other opportunities to leverage local funds or scale projects to existing available funds.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department requires eligible partners to provide a one-to-one match of
$1,000,000.00. Matching funds will be provided by the FY 2021 Parks and Recreation General Fund Operating Budget and FY 2015 voter approved Sales Tax Venue Funds.
Matching funds of $500,000.00 were identified in the adopted FY 2021 Parks and Recreation General Fund Operating Budget and $500,000.00 is available from the FY 2015 voter approved Sales Tax Venue funding for the Dan Markson Park improvements.
This ordinance amends the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program upon grant award and authorizes $500,000.00 from the FY 2021 Parks and Recreation General Fund Operating Budget into the FY 2021 Playground Replacement Project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of up to $1,000,000.00 upon award from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for the Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant as part of the Local Park Grant Program 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.