Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to accept the “Meet Me at the Park Play Space Grant” in the amount of $30,000.00 for the construction of a nature playground at Carriage Place Park and to enter into an agreement with the National Recreation and Parks Association in the amount of $60,000.00.
Background: The National Recreation and Parks Association is managing the administration of the “Meet Me at the Park Play Space Grant Program” which is made possible through the support of the Walt Disney Company. This grant will be used to construct a “nature playground” in the popular Carriage Place Park located near the intersection of Bethel Road and Sawmill Road. The grant amount is $30,000.00. The City of Columbus is required to contribute at least $30,000.00 towards this project as a grant match. A future ordinance will provide the additional grant match funding towards this project, once bids have been reviewed.
This project will develop a replicable nature play model that will be the first of its kind for the City. The model will establish a space where children have walkable access to outdoor, natural play. Research shows that children are spending half the time outside as they did 20 years ago. This trend is described as “Nature Deficit Disorder.” Connection with nature has health benefits that include reduced stress levels, increased creative problem solving, and motivation to be more physically active. To help children realize these benefits, the project will create a setting that mimics varied play opportunities naturally found in forests and meadows. It will be safe and accessible in order to provide an experience that is inclusive of all visitors, and will adhere to effective natural play design principles and contain elements such as logs, boulders, and native plants.
Principal Parties:
National Recreation and Parks Association
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148
Marla Collum, Senior Manager of Programs
CCN: 13-5563001
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested in order to accept the grant agreement within the time frame requested by the National Recreation and Parks Association which requires the project to be complete by November 1, 2018.
Fiscal Impact: The grant amount is $30,000.00 and will be appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2291. A future ordinance will provide additional grant match funding of at least $30,000.00 from the City of Columbus, once bids have been reviewed.
Area(s) Affected: Carriage Place Park - Northwest (5)
Benefits to the Public: The construction of a nature playground at Carriage Place Park will benefit the public by providing an easily accessible play space that will utilize natural play elements such as logs, boulders, and native plants alongside traditional manufactured play elements such as swings and monkey bars. The playground will provide children with a safe and fun place for children to play while also encouraging them to engage and explore the natural environment.
Community Input/Issues: The concept for the nature playground has been shared with the Carriage Place Community Recreation Council which is supportive of the project. Additional community input will be sought as the design of the playground is finalized.
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving a minimum of five neighborhood parks per year and continuing to work with neighborhood groups on needed park improvements.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept and enter into an agreement with the National Recreation and Parks Association to receive the Meet Me at the Park Play Space Grant in the amount of $30,000.00 for the construction of a nature playground at Carriage Place Park; to authorize the appropriation of $30,000.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($60,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the National Recreation and Parks Association has awarded the city of Columbus a grant for the construction of a nature playground at Carriage Place Park; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant from the National Recreation and Parks Association in the amount of $30,000.00 for the construction of a nature playground at Carriage Place Park; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $30,000.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2291.
WHEREAS, the City will enter into agreement with the National Recreation and Parks Association for the construction of a nature playground at Carriage Place Park; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to accept the grant and enter into an agreement with the National Recreation and Parks Association as the deadline requires the project to be complete by November 1, 2018, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is authorized and directed to accept a grant in the amount of $30,000.00 and enter into a contract with the National Recreation and Parks Association for the Carriage Place Nature Playground project.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, the sum of $30,000.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2291 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. Appropriation effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement.
SECTION 3. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.