Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Accept Grant Funds from the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) Funded by Opportunity Merced in the Amount of $124,725 to Support Parks and Community Services Implementation of the Trailblazers Outdoor Recreation Program
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting grant funding from Central Valley Community Foundation funded by Opportunity Merced in support of an outdoor recreation program focused on mentorship, vocational training, and nature-based recreation for teens through Parks and Community Services, Trailblazers Outdoor Recreation.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Authorizing the acceptance of Grant from Central Valley Community Foundation in the amount of $124,725; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to sign necessary documents; and
C. Authorizing the use of pooled cash to cover the appropriation until grant funds are reimbursed.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to Staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
Parks and Community Services has supported multiple City led efforts to expand youth exposure to vocational training, mentorship, and nature-based learning including the Proposition 64 funded My City Mentoring and the Board of State & Community Corrections CalVIP program. On both accounts the combination of mentorship, vocational training and nature-based recreation have proven to have meaningful impacts for the teens involved.
These services led to youth served increased feelings of investment, ownership in their own community and excitement about their futures. Often youth expressed the program’s ability to instill a sense of freedom not previously experienced in their lives. Several youths that completed these services went on to become employed, including four in Parks and Community Services Special Events, Youth and Adult Sports, and Field & Facility Divisions.
The program was awarded an additional source of funding through California Department of Natural Resources to expand youth access to natural resources which funded the purchase of two hybrid high-capacity vehicles to help transport youth to local, state, and national parks. These vehicles expanded the number of youths the program could serve to 14 per quarter or approximately 50 per year.
Funding is not available however beyond the 2025/2026 fiscal year. The Department has been searching for funding through contracts, additional grants and philanthropic sources for additional support to extend the program. The Opportunity Merced fund was found to be a viable funding stream.
Description
The Trailblazers Outdoor Recreation Program will provide youth with structured mentorship, vocational training, outdoor skill-building, environmental education, and leadership development opportunities through the Department of Parks and Community Services. The program will serve cohorts of up to 14, high school aged students each quarter of the year. The grant award of $124,725 will cover program associated costs including staffing, equipment, transportation, and experiential learning activities.
Youth selected for the program will be offered internships for the initial quarter of their involvement carrying out special events such as Movies in the Park, the Gateway to Yosemite 5K/10K Run, and Breakfast with Santa. These activities will expose interns to resource preparation, event planning, activity implementation, and event analysis. Following the internships each quarter, three youth will be offered a paid stipend of $1,000 as a mentor the following quarter. Participants will be mentored by a Recreation Coordinator that will coordinate meetings, travel, activities and special events for workforce development. Nature based trips will include local parks such as Fahrens and Rahilly, regional parks such as Dos Rios and national parks such as Yosemite.
The program will be completely funded through 2026/2027 Fiscal Year by the grant from CVCF and will start July 1, 2026. The Department will continue its efforts to subsidize the program from outside sources to ensure these opportunities are available to Merced’s teens beyond 2026/2027.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Staff is requesting that Council accept the grant of $124,725. No appropriation is necessary; grant is already included in FY2026-27 proposed budget under account 10184060-411200.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Trailblazers Outdoor Recreation Project Agreement
2. Trailblazers Outdoor Recreation Flyer