PRESENTER: Presenter
Jeff Bransford, Park Development Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for the Local Park Grant Program for improvements to Neighborhood Park on West Coll Street.
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DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Local Park Grant Program provides funding that assist local units of government with the acquisition and/or development of public recreation areas and facilities throughout the state. The program provides 50 percent matching grants on a reimbursement basis.
Since the inception of TPWD Local Park Grants in the 1960s, the program has funded nearly 3,000 projects across Texas. This includes two recent projects in the City of New Braunfels: $750,000 for the Zipp Family Sports Complex awarded in 2020, and $298,200 for the West Alligator Creek Trail in 2022.
City staff have evaluated planned park projects and recommend submission of an application for the TPWD Local Park Grant Program for improvements to Neighborhood Park, located at 1032 West Coll Street. In early 2024, New Braunfels Utilities decommissioned and removed an aging water tower adjacent to the park and subsequently conveyed the underlying property to the City, expanding Neighborhood Park to a total of 0.43 acres. Since then, the park has remained generally undeveloped, but staff have received multiple requests from residents for the recreational development of the property. In response, staff conducted an on-site public engagement event in October 2024 to collect additional feedback on the future of the park. Over 150 individuals attended.
After considering the input received from the public as well as data collected from other planning efforts such as the Parks and Recreation Systemwide Master Plan Update, staff recommend a proposed project scope for improvements to Neighborhood Park that include the installation of a shaded playground, pavilion with picnic tables, native vegetation, irrigation, interpretive signage, site furnishings, and a sidewalk connection to Walnut Avenue.
The estimated cost of the park improvements total $1,407,600, including design, construction, and construction phase services. Staff recommend requesting 50 percent ($703,800) from the TPWD Local Park Grant Program and funding the remaining 50 percent through revenues collected from Park Development Fees.
ISSUE:
Implement park improvements to help meet the goals of the City of New Braunfels Strategic Plan and 2017 Parks and Recreation Strategic Master Plan (currently undergoing revision) through the use of external funds.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Projects selected for grant funding require a 50% local match. If the City of New Braunfels project is selected, the funding for the local match will be derived from Park Development Fee revenue.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of a resolution authorizing application to the TPWD Local Park Grant Program and authorizing the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant.