Memorandum 13-006 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Application

CITY OF HOMER
CITY HALL

   
MEMORANDUM 13-006

To:  Mayor Wythe and City Council
From:  Katie Koester, Community and Economic Development Coordinator
Through: Walt Wrede, City Manager  
Date:  January 8, 2013
Subject: Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Application

Resolution 13-006 authorizes the City of Homer to apply to the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for Improvements to Karen Hornaday Park and pledges a City match.
Through a legislative grant, fundraising, City funds, and volunteer labor, many improvements lined out in the Master have been made.  The proposal is to continue this progress with the help of a LWCF grant for $75,000 ($150,000 total with the 50% match) for improvements to the ball fields and campground. Proposed Improvements include:
Ball Fields:
-Drainage work on the side of the ball fields
-Creating a pedestrian trail wide enough for small construction equipment from the parking lot to the second ball field
-Move the existing pavilion to the green space between the two ball fields

Campground:
-Cap the access road with gravel
-Establish positive drainage (this will also help the drainage of the ball fields below)
-Improve vehicle and RV parking at campsites (level spots and add gravel)
-Level tent sites
-Install new fire rings (working with the Homer High School welding class)
-Designate spaces with signs and a common numbering system
-Make one or two campsites ADA accessible
-Develop a camp host site

Karen Hornaday Park is a jewel of Homer and provides an important space for the community to connect and recreate.  The ball fields see heavy usage by Little League and improved drainage will keep the break up mud at bay. A wide trail along the fields will allow more people to access both ball fields to watch games or have lunch at the picnic shelter that will be moved to the green space between the fields.  The Karen Hornaday campground is almost always full. However, the campground has seen little TLC over the years.  The Park is hidden above town and a camp host site will allow for surveillance of the area and cut down of vandalism and partying that can occur at the park after hours.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution 13-006 authorizing the City Manager to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant for Karen Hornaday Park Improvements in an amount up to $75,000 with the City pledging a match of $75,000.