Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Presentation on Parks & Community Services Proposal to First 5 Merced County in Response to the Safe Play Initiative
REPORT IN BRIEF
In response to the First 5 of Merced County's Safe Play Initiative, Parks and Community Services proposed playground installations at either General Vang Pao Park or Community Park 42. The goal of the Safe Play Initiative is to increase access to parks and playgrounds within Merced County by eliminating barriers to park access for children and their caretakers. The theme of the proposal is to increase access to playgrounds by building playgrounds that are accommodating to youth of all abilities and caretakers of multiple generations.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only
Body
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced Section 200 & Chapter 17.380.60 of the MMC.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
2022/2023- Parks- Continue to explore opportunities for increased accessibility for all residents.
DISCUSSION
First 5 of Merced County has developed the Safe Play Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to address obesity rates of children in Merced County by expanding opportunities to play through the development of infrastructure such as playgrounds. There is no match required for this grant. However, the proposed projects at General Vang Pao Park and Community Park 42 would need to leverage additional funding streams which would support their development. Proposals for this funding are not required to address socioeconomic or geographic factors and allow for considering all park sites within the City of Merced. All accepted proposals must commence production by 2025.
To account for the growing population of the City, staff are requesting Council's consideration of playground installations at General Vang Pao Park or Community Park 42. Both parks increase playground access in developing areas of the City that lack play structures. The proposal for Gener...
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