STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The City of Tallahassee is eligible to apply for a Recreational Trails Program Grant in the amount of $250,000. The deadline for submitting the grant application is March 31, 2009. Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs staff will prepare a grant application for the renovation of trails at the Lafayette Heritage Trail Park to provide access to persons with disabilities, repair damaged trails, add technical features to trails, and construct a 500-foot long canopy boardwalk trail. The canopy boardwalk will include environmental and archaeological interpretive information, provide access to a bridge over the CSX railroad to improve safety for trail users, and connect to the J.R. Alford Greenway.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approval of Option 1 - Approve the submittal of a Recreational Trails Program Grant application for the renovation of trails at the Lafayette Heritage Trail Park, and appropriate the grant proceeds if the grant is awarded in July 2009.

FISCAL IMPACT
No additional funds are required to match this grant. In-kind services, labor, donations and current capital funds in Projects 06088 and 07081 will qualify for the required 50% local matching funds. This item has been reviewed by the Budget Office, and it meets City budget guidelines.

Dee Crumpler, Director, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Ashley Edwards, 891-3853

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
Lafayette Heritage Trail Park was acquired in 1995 using funding from the Florida Communities Trust (FCT). A management plan required by the FCT process shows trails to be developed on the site and an eventual connection to the J.R. Alford Greenway. The Recreational Trails Program grant will help implement the connection between Lafayette Heritage Trail Park and the Alford Greenway as envisioned in the management plan. The grant project will also make the current nature trail, beginning at Tom Brown Park, more accessible to all users and provide more access to the entire park and greenway connection. Funds will also be used to repair damaged trails, add technical features to trails, and construct a 500-foot long canopy boardwalk trail. The canopy boardwalk will include environmental and archaeological interpretive information, provide access to a bridge over the CSX railroad to improve safety for trail users, and connect to the J.R. Alford Greenway. The Tallahassee-Leon County Greenway Master Plan also supports the implementation of this project.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
N/A

OPTIONS

Option 1 - Approve the submittal of a Recreational Trails Program Grant application for the renovation of trails at the Lafayette Heritage Trail Park, and appropriate the grant proceeds if the grant is awarded in July 2009.

PRO: If awarded the grant would add $250,000 to the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department Capital Improvement Budget in addition to funds that have already been allocated to allow for renovation and development of additional trail facilities in a heavily used park.

CON: Not approving the grant submittal or appropriating the grant proceeds if awarded would result in less funds being available for this project.

Option 2 - Do not approve the submittal of a Recreational Trails Program Grant application for the renovation of trails at the Lafayette Heritage Trail Park.

PRO: None

CON: Not approving the grant submittal would result in less funds being available for this project.

Option 3 - Provide alternative direction to staff.