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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: John Russell, Grant Writer
DATE: Aug. 21, 2019
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Aurora Division of Parks and Recreation to apply for a
$109,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for improvements at McCarty Park.
PURPOSE:
The Aurora Parks and Recreation Division has created a plan to make McCarty Park more inviting to children, families and residents from nearby neighborhoods and throughout the City. The park plan would involve installing creative play equipment on the eastern side of the park and improving the large Splash Pad in the middle of the Park.
BACKGROUND:
The estimated cost of the McCarty Park improvements $218,000. The Parks Division will seek a grant of $109,000 from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which will cover half of the cost. The Parks Division will include the matching $109,000 in its budget for 2020. Under the requirements of the OSLAD grant program, work on the park could begin in April 2020. It is estimated the project would take until the end of 2020.
DISCUSSION:
McCarty Park is the oldest park in the City of Aurora. It was platted in 1835 by Aurora's founders, Samuel and Joseph McCarty, as a Town Square for McCarty's Mill, which later would become the Village of Aurora. For most of its first 170-some years, it was a passive park, with benches, trees and grass but no activity areas. A Splash Pad opened in the center of the park in 2008, and has been very popular as a summertime activity for nearby children. However, there have been some problems with the consistent operation of the Splash Pad. The new park plans -- with improved Splash Pad and installation of creative playground equipment -- will make McCarty Park even more welcoming for all residents. The cost estimate of the project is based on costs of recent improvements at other City parks, and on estimates from vendors. Funds for the project would be in Revenue Account 353-4440-451.73-43 and Expense Account 340-4440-451.73-43.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
As the population of Aurora grew steeply from 2000 to today, so has the population of the central city neighborhood around McCarty Park. In the McCarty Park Census Tract, the population has grown by more than 60% since 2000. The McCarty Park project will provide this growing neighborhood with a place where families with children can enjoy a fun time outdoors together, and where families from throughout Aurora can bring their children for a day of play.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Parks and Recreation Division recommends that the City allow it to apply for a $109,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for playground improvements at McCarty Park.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the Aurora Division of Parks and Recreation to apply for a $109,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for improvements at McCarty Park.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department has created a plan for adding a playground area at McCarty Park and improving the operations of the existing Splash Pad, which will make the park more enjoyable for use by children and local families; and
WHEREAS, McCarty Park, platted in 1835, is the oldest park in the City of Aurora, and for its first 175 years was a “passive” park, with grass and benches but few activity spaces; and
WHEREAS, a Splash Pad was added to the middle of the park in 2007 and opened in 2008, and has proven popular with the growing number of children and families in the area; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Division intends to make McCarty Park even more inviting to children and families with the installation of a large playground area on the eastern edge of the park and with upgrades to the operation of the Splash Pad; and
WHEREAS, the total cost of the project is estimated at $218,000, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is offering a grant through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program for up to 50% of the project cost; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Parks and Recreation Department will provide $109,000 for half of the project cost, and is seeking City Council approval to apply for a State of Illinois OSLAD grant for $109,000. Funds for the project would be in Revenue Account 353-4440-451.73-43 and Expense Account 340-4440-451.73-43.)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Aurora Parks and Recreation Division is authorized to apply for a $109,000 OSLAD grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, for play area improvements at McCarty Park.