Parks commission recommends city pursue Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for Old Town Park renovation

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend that city council permit the city to participate in the current Land and Water Conservation Fund solicitation to support renovations at Old Town Park. The motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote (Wisniewski: yes; Bernard: yes; Fisher: yes; Carlson: yes).

Tyler Best presented the project options and funding plan, saying the original full-rebuild concept was estimated at $1,600,000 but the capital budget now proposes an $800,000 project that would retain inclusive and adaptive elements while avoiding a full bulldoze-and-rebuild approach. "That was gonna be $1,600,000," Best said when describing the earlier design, and he added that the $800,000 figure in the capital project budget includes design and construction costs. Best also said the LWCF grant could provide up to $250,000 and would require matching funds from local sources.

Best cautioned that LWCF funding typically carries a perpetual recreation-use restriction on parcels; he said parcels marked with land-and-water restrictions must remain for outdoor recreation use and that the city reports on such grants every five years. Commissioners asked for clarifications about how the $800,000 interacts with the potential $250,000 grant; Best explained the capital plan separates project totals from funding sources and that additional outside funds may still be sought. The commission approved recommending council allow participation, and staff said they will forward the recommendation and clarify any language with the clerk before presenting to council.

Next steps: staff will complete the grant application, return the recommendation and supporting documentation to city council for its decision, and proceed with schematic design and procurement planning if council approves moving forward.