Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to submit an application for a Great Urban Park Campaign Grant of up to $300,000 from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) for the Willow Reserve project.
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WHEREAS, the National Recreation and Park Association’s Great Urban Park Campaign offers grant funding for projects that will: increase public access to recreational opportunities and access to nature via parks in underserved low-income communities and communities of color; improve environmental quality and increased hazard mitigation by reducing flooding, improving site ability to hold and retain storm water, improving water quality, improving wildlife habitat, and increasing biodiversity; and create a community engaged in improving environmental quality through green infrastructure solutions to stormwater management;
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is committed to a sustainable future, including green infrastructure, cleaner air, soil, water, habitat, and other natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is committed to providing recreational opportunities throughout the city; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul’s Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to begin implementing the Willow Reserve Restoration Plan with construction of boardwalks, trails, and park amenities at Willow Reserve; and
WHEREAS, this grant program will provide grants of $150,000 to $300,000 and does not require matching funds; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is eligible to apply for and receive this grant; and
WHEREAS, the Willow Reserve project meets all of the grant key objectives by providing increased public access to recreational opportunities and access to nature via parks in underserved, low-income communities and communities of color; improves environmental quality; and is within a community engaged in improving environmental quality through green infrastructure solutions to stormwater; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that support is hereby granted for the Department of Parks and Recreation’s application to the National Recreation and Park Association, and if funds are granted, accept the funds, and enter into grant agreements, which may include an indemnification clause, executed by the proper City of Saint Paul authorities in compliance with all applicable laws, and staff is authorized to apply for reimbursement from the grant funds approved for the project herein.