Title
Resolution of Support for the City of Colorado Springs Sponsorship of the Local Government Parks and Recreation Mini-Grant to Great Outdoors Colorado on Behalf of Concrete Couch
Presenter:
Karen Palus, Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Tilah Larson, Senior Analyst, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Body
Summary:
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department proposes to sponsor a Great Outdoors Colorado ("GOCO") Local Government Parks and Recreation ("LPOR") mini-grant. The $45,000 grant application will assist with supporting the construction of public restrooms for all at Concrete Couch's ("CC") community park and learning laboratory.
Background:
CC is developing a blighted 5.6 parcel of land Southeast of downtown Colorado Springs purchased with Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") Community Development Block Grant Funding. The nonprofit has already begun activating the site as a hub of ecology, community, and creativity with playground facilities, an orchard, walking and biking trails, community art, informational kiosks and more. The site is amidst three neighborhoods (Hillside, Meadows Park, and Mill Street neighborhoods) which CC has been embedded in since the nonprofit first formed 15 years ago. The three neighborhoods within the service area of the site (0.5 mile radius) fall within Low Moderate Income (>70% LMI) target areas identified by Colorado Springs Economic Development. The site is therefore uniquely placed to service low and moderate income families from three surrounding neighborhoods.
With Shooks Run Creek flowing through the center of the property, this site fits into the City's Shooks Run Master Plan by developing a "destination program zone" where the public can enjoy art, playgrounds, trails, educational programming, tool sharing and more. Grant funding will assist with providing a public restroom facility for visitors.
CC has sought the City's support to sponsor their grant applica...
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