Item Description:
title
Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants 2024 Play Spaces Grants, combined total $833,771
end
Resolution:
body
BE IT RESOLVED, after consideration of recommendations, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners selects 10 play spaces grants in a combined total of $833,771 to receive 2024 grant funding for the Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants program as follows:
Play Spaces Grants:
• PR00006281 with Brooklyn Center Community Schools ISD 286, not to exceed $100,000;
• PR00006276 with City of Bloomington, not to exceed $100,000;
• PR00006275 with City of Crystal, not to exceed $100,000;
• PR00006278 with City of Dayton, not to exceed $100,000;
• PR00006274 with City of Richfield for two playgrounds, not to exceed $200,000;
• PR00006280 with Minneapolis Schools SSD1, not to exceed $100,000;
• PR00006279 with City of St. Bonifacius, not to exceed $63,750;
• PR00006277 with Edina Public Schools ISD 273, not to exceed $50,021;
• PR00006273 with City of Tonka Bay, not to exceed $20,000;
end
Background:
The Hennepin County Board adopted Resolution 09-0320R3, establishing the Hennepin County Youth Sports Program with ballpark sales tax collections pursuant to Minn. Stat. 473.757, subd. 2. The County Board expanded the program with the adoption of Resolution 11-0318R1 which provided for additional grants to be awarded for equipment and/or small assets; and Resolution 15-0332R1 which provided for additional grants to be awarded for playground projects and swimming lessons; and Resolution 21-0337 which provided for additional grants to be awarded for art and music education and programming as well as lifeguard services; and Resolution 23-0087 which delegated signature authority to the Purchasing Director and allowed for review and updating of grant evaluation criteria. In 2023, the Hennepin County Board adopted Resolution 23-0153 that renamed the program to Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants to be inclusive of additional activities supported by the funding.
The Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants program has three grant initiatives that include sports grants, water safety grants, and art and music grants. Grant opportunities are available semiannually in the fall and spring. Since 2016, the HCYAG program has provided grants for traditional playgrounds. For the 2024 cycle, the grant opportunity was renamed to Play Spaces with grant opportunities for both traditional and non-traditional play areas for kids. A total of $1 million was allocated for spring 2024 play spaces grants.
Applications for 2024 play space grants were accepted from January 18 through April 1, 2024. A Pre-Application Conference was held on February 6, 2024 and technical assistance was available for potential applicants. A total of 10 applications were received and all applications are recommended for award. Recommended play space projects include:
1. Brooklyn Center Community Schools ISD 286 - grant funding will provide support for a multi-phase upgrade to an elementary school playground to ensure that it is accessible, inclusive, and green.
2. City of Bloomington - grant funding will support the creation of a fully inclusive playground structure at Bryant Park.
3. City of Crystal - grant funding will support replacement of existing play structures that are 20+ years old with accessible and upgraded features.
4. City of Dayton - grant funding will provide a playground for a newly created park in Dayton, MN situated between 4 new housing developments.
5. City of Richfield - grant funding will support two playground projects including upgrading and replacing playground structures that are 27 years old at a youth athletic complex in Richfield and construction of a new playground on a currently vacant plot of land.
6. Minneapolis Schools SSD1 - grant funding will replace equipment at an existing playground site that is more than 30 years old.
7. City of St. Bonifacius - grant funding will support replacement and enhancement of a playground that is 60 years old.
8. Edina Public Schools ISD 273 - grant funding will support replacement of playground equipment that is 20+ years old.
9. City of Tonka Bay - grant funding will be used to replace an existing fishing pier.
Current Request:
This board action will adopt the recommendations and award $833,771 in funding to the 10 identified projects.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval