REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF BLOOMINGTON RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 5, 2021
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Kessler Park Outdoor Equity Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of Bloomington Recreation and Park District:
1. Authorize submission of grant application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation in an amount not to exceed $494,494 for the Kessler Park Outdoor Equity Program that will educate local youth and expose them to outdoor activities and experiences by providing day trips from Kessler Park in Bloomington to the Desert View Conservation Area and the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
2. Adopt resolution, as required by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, authorizing the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to sign and submit grant application and any non-substantive application amendments related to the California Department of Parks and Recreation grant, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to transmit all documents and amendments in relation to the subject grant application to the Secretary of the Board of Directors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Special Districts) is seeking a grant of $494,494 from the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for a community based outdoor education and experience program that will bring local youth to outdoor destinations while educating them on the importance of embracing their community’s environment. No monetary match requirement exists with this grant. If this application is successful, Special Districts will return to the Board of Directors (Board) for acceptance of the grant award and approval of related budget adjustments.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 2019, the Outdoor Equity Grants Program (OEP) was enacted when the Governor of California signed Assembly Bill 209 (AB 209) - Chapter 675, located in Public Resources Code §5090.75(c)(1.26). The purpose of OEP, which is administered through DPR, is to increase the ability of residents in historically underserved communities to participate in outdoor experiences at state parks and other public lands. On July 1, 2020, the California Legislature authorized funding for OEP.
OEP has two major requirements: (1) to identify a home base, and (2) to plan activities in the community and trips from the community home base to natural areas. The home base for the subject grant application is Kessler Park (Park), one of two parks in the Bloomington Recreation and Park District (BRPD).
Approval of this item would authorize the submission of a grant application seeking funding for BRPD to implement a recreational program that takes youth (ages 6-18) on educational day trips to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo (Zoo) and Desert View Conservation Area (DVCA) in Joshua Tree. This program will provide the youth in Bloomington, who might not otherwise visit the mountain or desert locations, with an opportunity to be educated and exposed to the nature-based community of the surrounding area. Chaperones will be permitted for all youth in attendance.
The grant funds would be used to pay for transportation costs, program staffing, insurance, and admission fees. The program will offer bi-monthly trips to each location, in addition to a series of educational material relative to the destination site. The education provided will feature new births at the Zoo, conservation efforts at DVCA, etc. It is anticipated that up to 360 youth would benefit from this program annually.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 27, 2021; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on September 27, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on September 27, 2021.