Title
Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant (NB)
This item involves a request for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department to accept a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant from the National Park Service through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, if awarded, to support development of Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park.
Explanation
The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department submitted an application for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant from the National Park Service through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on February 27, 2015. Should the grant be awarded, grant contracts will be executed in approximately December, 2015. The grant, if awarded, will fund half of the development of the recreational amenities at Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park including: a tennis/volleyball court, a picnic pavilion, playground and shade structures, trail heads, a multi-purpose trail with boardwalks, connecting sidewalks, and bike racks.
Fiscal Note
A 50% match is required for this grant. The City is requesting $200,000 in grant funds from LWCF which will be matched by $200,000 in order to leverage Capital Improvement Funds already dedicated for Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park, for a total project cost of $400,000. No additional funds will be necessary to facilitate this request.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the request to accept a grant, if awarded, from the National Park Service through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and 2) if the grant is awarded, authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the grant award agreement and other grant-related documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.