Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss – City Manager Cynthia Wagner - Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager Jonathan Douglas- Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk
FROM:	Kelly Unger, Management Intern
CC:	Ernie Shaw, Interim Director, Parks & Recreation Mark Hecker, Assistant Director, Parks & Recreation
Date:	March 13, 2012
RE:	March 13, 2012 Agenda Item: Authorize staff to submit a Playful City USA application and a Playground Construction Grant

Background:

Parks and Recreation Department staff is requesting to apply for the 2012 Playful City USA program. Playful City USA is a national recognition program that honors communities across the country for taking action locally to build an infrastructure that promotes, creates and sustains an abundance of time and space for play for all children. This program is sponsored by KaBoom, a national non-profit that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. There is no financial obligation for the application, but if selected the City will receive national recognition and be eligible to apply for a Playground Construction Grant.

As the Commission may recall, last year the City was unsuccessful in obtaining a Playground Construction Grant for John Taylor Park (see attached memo). If selected as a 2012 Playful City USA, staff request authorization to reapply for a KaBoom Playground Construction Grant.

Project Funding:

The KaBoom grant offers a $20,000 grant to purchase playground equipment totaling a minimum of $30,000 and a maximum of $60,000. Based on the information gathered it appears the John Taylor Park, 200 N. 7^th Street, estimated by the Parks and Recreation Department at $30,000 would qualify for such grant. The city would be responsible for matching $10,000 to purchase the new equipment from one of their preferred vendors, as well as the cost for removing the current equipment.

Timeline:

The deadline to be recognized as a 2012 Playful City USA is March 15, 2012. If selected, the City will be eligible to apply for the KaBoom Playground Construction Grant due March 29, 2012. If the City is awarded the grant, the playground project must be completed within a year of the award. Recipients of the grant will be notified shortly after submitting the application.

Action Requested: Authorize Parks and Recreation Department staff to complete and submit an application for the 2012 Playful City USA program and a Playground Construction Grant.