Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Department

TO:	Tom Markus, City Manager
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager Ernie Shaw, Interim Director, Parks & Recreation
FROM:	Mark Hecker, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation
DATE:	April 27, 2016
RE:	Sunflower Foundation City Trails to Scale Grant for the Rock Chalk Park

Background

The Sunflower Foundation provides funding to support the concept of the “built environment” as a strategy to increase opportunities for physical activity and therefore reduce the prevalence of obesity and improve overall health.  Their City Trails to Scale grant program provides funding for larger Kansas Communities to build trails that provide connectivity to a larger trail system. Grant funding is available up to $110,000, contingent upon project bids, and all grants require a $1 for $1 match.

Project Description

The Sunflower Foundation has identified Rock Chalk Park Trail segment of the Lawrence Loop as a possible candidate for grant funding through their program.  This section of trail would provide a 10-foot wide concrete trail connection through Rock Chalk Parks and would connect the South Lawrence Traffic-way Trail to Baldwin Creek Trail (currently under construction).  The attached trail map delineates the approximate route of the proposed trail. This trail segment is approximately 4100 feet long and would take advantage of existing creek crossings by follow one of the existing paths in the park.   

Project Funding

Grant funding for this project, if accepted, will be available in the summer of 2016. It is estimated this trail segment would cost approximately $275,000 to construct. The City will fund the entire amount of construction project, after completion the 50/50 grant, would reimburse expenses up to $110,000 of the construction cost. The remaining project costs will be funded using the funds available for sidewalks and trails from the KDOT Federal Fund Exchange Program.

Action Requested

Authorize the staff to submit a Sunflower Foundation City Trails to Scale Grant and commit matching funds for the construction of a new concrete trail at Rock Chalk Park.