Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LAKE SUPERIOR COASTAL PROGRAM GRANT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $75,000 FOR FUNDS TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF A PARK POINT RECREATION AREA PLAN.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to apply for grant funds not to exceed $75,000 from the Lake Superior Coastal Program under the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to support development of a Park Point Recreation Area Plan.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth has the legal authority to accept these funds and the financial, technical, and managerial capacity to ensure proper planning and maintenance of the project.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth will meet the required 1:1 match through funding from the Parks Fund and in-kind staff time.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jen Carlson, City of Duluth Finance Director, 411 West 1st Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This Resolution authorizes the application for grant funds in an amount not to exceed $75,000 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lake Superior Coastal Program to support development of a Park Point Recreation Area Plan. The City will meet the required 1:1 match with funding from the Park Fund and in-kind staff time.
A Plan is needed for Park Point Recreation Area to guide decision-making for improvements to best meet social, cultural, recreational, and environmental preservation needs. The City intends to facilitate a comprehensive public planning process to identify preferred solutions to extensive shoreline erosion, as well as improve access to enhanced and inclusive recreational amenities while ensuring the protection, restoration, and long-term resiliency of natural resources within the Park Point Recreation Area.
These funds will support professional consultant fees to assist with the development of the Plan. The Plan process will include community engagement, assessment of existing facilities and the extent of shoreline collapse, and development of conceptual plans that will feature resilient landscape design to support safe access to both Superior Bay and Lake Superior, as well as inclusive and multi-functional recreational amenities. If awarded, the grant funds will be available in fall of 2024 and the planning process will commence shortly thereafter, with completion of the Plan by the end of 2025. Having a comprehensive and community-supported Plan will support future efforts to secure funding for the implementation of much needed improvements within the Park Point Recreation Area.
Completing a Park Point Recreation Area Plan is consistent with action item C4 in the Essential Spaces: Duluth Parks, Recreation, Trails & Open Space Plan: “Commence a planning effort for Park Point Recreation Area to address aging infrastructure and climate impacts, to identify desired recreation options that are compatible and sustainable, to increase connectivity to recreation and water, and to strategize appropriate restroom and trash/recycling amenity locations.” Additionally, the creation and implementation of the Park Point Recreation Area Plan will forward eight goals identified in the Essential Spaces Plan:
• Goal B. Invest strategically to decrease routine and long-term maintenance requirements, leverage outside funding, and support community-based priorities.
• Goal C. Balance maintenance, reinvestment, consolidation, and new construction of park infrastructure to meet current and future system needs within a sustainable budget framework.
• Goal E. Support opportunities for water-based recreation through managed access.
• Goal F. Support improvements that simultaneously fulfill documented community recreational needs, enhance tourist attraction, and deliver other public benefits such as economic development and resource protection.
• Goal G. Promote inclusion in our park spaces, facilities, and programs ensuring that all persons have equitable and appropriate access to our park and recreation system.
• Goal J. Provide equitable, efficient, and effective opportunities for public participation in park planning processes to balance various perspectives and preferences.
• Goal P. Protect and enhance our open spaces to restore and maintain ecological health, build resilience to natural disasters, and preserve the area’s natural beauty.
• Goal Q. Increase climate-resiliency throughout our park and trail system through modern design and best management practices.
Likewise, the creation and implementation of a Park Point Recreation Area Plan will support the Imagine Duluth 2035 comprehensive plan, specifically making progress in alignment with:
• Guiding Principle #10 - Take actions that enhance the environment, economic, and social well-being of the community.
• Open Space Policy #1 - Improve Duluth’s resiliency to flooding and natural disasters.
• Open Space Policy #3 - Remove barriers to accessing parks and open space.