Posting Language
Title
Conduct a public hearing and approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for and accept funds from the National Park Service’s and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s 2027 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grant program that will fund improvements to the Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park. Funding: If successful and funding is awarded, up to $9,000,000 is available through the ORLP grant program. The ORLP grant program requires a City match of at least 50 percent of the project cost and is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Parks and Recreation.
De
Lead Department
Austin Parks and Recreation.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $9,000,000 is available through the ORLP Grant. The ORLP Grant Program requires at least 50 percent ($9,000,000) matching funds of the project cost, and funds will be distributed through a reimbursement process.
Prior Council Action:
April 10, 2025 - Council approved Resolution 20250410-036 on a 11-0 vote, which directed the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department to act on the City’s behalf and to work with the National Park Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in connection with the 2025 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grant program and to apply for and accept a grant of up to $7,500,000, to be matched by the City, to implement the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy’s Vision Plan for Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park, and to provide the amenities requested by the surrounding community. The 2025 ORLP grant was put on hold at the federal level and therefore, no longer considered for funding.
For More Information:
Suzanne Piper, Chief Administrative Officer, (512) 974-6753; Liana Kallivoka, Assistant Director, (512) 974-9455; Rachel Morris, Capital Improvement Program Manager, (512) 974-9460.
Additional Backup Information:
If approved, this resolution will authorize the City Manager to apply for, and accept, an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant from the National Park Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership is a nationally competitive grant program, within the Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program, that provides funding to enhance recreation opportunities in rural and urban communities. The grant program is a 50 percent matching grant distributed on a reimbursement basis to applicants selected by the National Park Service. All grant assisted sites must be dedicated as parkland, properly maintained, and open to the public in perpetuity. Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park requires funding to fulfill the vision of the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy and to provide the amenities requested by the surrounding community.
Before the City can apply for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant, the City must hold a public hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the governing body must pass the resolution authorizing the submission of an application and acceptance of grant funds. If awarded these funds, the City will be reimbursed for up to $9,000,000 in expenses.