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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Giovanni Santana, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation
DATE: September 20, 2024
SUBJECT:
Resolution requesting approval to accept a grant of $600,000 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources FY' 24 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program for improvements to Garfield Park.
PURPOSE:
The FY' 24 OSLAD grant will cover about 50% of the cost for renovations and improvements for Phase1 of Garfield Park improvements.
BACKGROUND:
A little over a year ago we applied for a $600,000 OSLAD grant (R23-249, Item 23-0643)
Garfield Park is one of the City's five Legacy Parks. Garfield Park has not received any significant upgrades in recent years.
DISCUSSION:
Garfield Park currently consists of a mix of recreational activities including a playground, baseball fields, a shelter and a gravel parking lot The proposed improvements, include but are not limited to a new playground, inclusive play equipment, a splash pad, pickle ball courts, street soccer courts, combination turf fields as well an ADA accessible field along with additional parking, a new walking path, bathrooms, a new shelter, signage and other site furnishings. The City sought the maximum allowable amount of the grant ($600,000) through the OSLAD program.
The City has published RFQ 24-100 for design and project management of this project, the responses are currently under evaluation. A selection will be brought forth to Committee/City Council for approval. Work on the park is anticipated to commence in 2025
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The project resulting from this grant opportunity, will not only enhance the experience of local visitors from the surrounding neighborhood but will also make this Legacy Park another destination park through increased and improved park amenities.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We request the proposed resolution be approved and adopted."
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant of $600,000 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources FY' 24 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program for improvements to Garfield Park.
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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, Garfield Park is a Legacy Park and the second largest park City owned Park with amenities in varying stages of disrepair or obsolescence; and:
WHEREAS, the City recently has been collaborating with various internal Divisions as well as community input to formalize a plan to repair and upgrade Garfield Park; and
WHEREAS, the Parks Department previously identified the proposed improvements as a priority among the projects to be implemented in Garfield Park; and)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the resolution authorizing acceptance of the $600,000 OSLAD be approved.