Consideration and Approval of Grant Application (acceptance, etc.):  Buffalo Park - Nate Avery Trail Accessibility Enhancements through the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund

This Staff Summary seeks approval of the grant application and approval upon award to Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund for the Buffalo Park - Nate Avery Trail Accessibility Enhancements. Parks and Multi-Modal Transportation are requesting grant funds in the amount of $100,000 to enhance accessibility for the Nate Avery Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) Trail in Buffalo Park.  The intent is to make the trail and other features of the park more accessible so that a broader segment of the community including those with mobility limitations can more easily use the trail and access the natural area.  The city match and contribution of $135,453 will be accomplished with funds from both Parks operating capital, FUTS capital, and in-kind services.  

The expenditures on the city match and contribution have been accounted for in the Parks operating capital in the amount of $52,000, in FUTS capital in the amount of $25,877 and in-kind work through labor, equipment and materials estimated at $57,576. 

None

Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
Inclusive and Engaged Community through ensuring city facilities, services and programs are accessible for all residents and representative of Flagstaff's diverse community.  

Regional Plan
Pedestrian Infrastructure and Goals Policy T.5.3 by identifying specific pedestrian mobility and accessibility challenges and develop a program to build and maintain necessary improvements

No

1. Approve the grant application
2. Not approve the grant application

City Parks and Multi-Modal Transportation began discussing the concept of making the 2-mile loop trail known as the Nate Avery FUTS Trail at Buffalo Park accessible in 2019, with the idea of making the trail accessible to all users.  After the completion of the accessible permanent restrooms at the park, the team began to discuss how we could bring this concept to an inclusive and equitable project with city funding as well as any grant opportunities.  The Heritage Fund through Arizona State Parks is providing the grant opportunity should the City of Flagstaff be successful in this application.  

The application, if approved, would consist of resurfacing the Nate Avery FUTS Trail with the current aggregate mix that is suitable for wheeled devices such as wheelchairs. It would also repair existing drainage issues on the trail, provide signing and information to trail users regarding the accessible route, add accessible parking spaces and an accessible route to the entrance, expand the concrete entrance at the park to the existing accessible restrooms, modify the existing exercise stations along the trail loop for wheelchair access, and replace up to six (6) exercise stations to new accessible/universal design stations.  

The Flagstaff community deserves to have the 215-acre Buffalo Park inclusive and accessible for all to enjoy.

The outdoor passive recreational space and natural area is one of our community's most iconic locations with over 380 visitors per day walking the Nate Avery FUTS Trail.

Inform. Presentations have been made to the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission on Inclusion and Adaptive Living, and the Pedestrian Advisory Committee.