| ITEM #: 7. DATE: 03/24/2025 AI #:2502 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | 2025 LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND (LWCF) GRANT APPLICATION TO RELOCATE THE DOG PARK AT GOODYEAR COMMUNITY PARK |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Christina Panaitescu, Community Partnerships Program Manager |
SUMMARY
The LWCF State Assistance Program provides matching grants to States, and through the States to local governments, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The Goodyear Parks & Recreation Department wishes to apply to this program for $1.5 million to support the relocation of the dog park at Goodyear Community Park, allowing for expansion away from the baseball field and an enhanced user experience.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
FISCAL IMPACT
If selected for funding, CIP project #50058 will utilize the grant award to offset expenditures already budgeted and the result is no fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578) became effective January 1, 1965. The Act provides financial assistance to states, their political subdivisions, and Indian tribal governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities; eligible applicants include governmental entities (cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies). The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress through Public Law 88-578, as amended, and receives its revenue primarily from the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing. Funding can be used for outdoor recreation facilities; ADA/accessibility upgrades; acquisition of park lands; baseball & soccer fields, bike parks, pools, playground equipment, splash pads, and pickle ball courts.
Reflecting the goals of the LWCF Act, the goals of the LWCF State Assistance Program are to:
Goodyear previously benefited from this source of funding when, in 2005, it was awarded $638,723 towards the development of picnic areas, sports and playfields, and support facilities at the city's original Community Park.
Located at Litchfield Road and Indian School Road, Goodyear Community Park includes 30 acres of recreation amenities including: youth baseball fields, splash pad, playground, tennis courts, pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts, skate park, dog park, restroom buildings, and a maintenance building, and is widely utilized.
Following a robust outreach process that gathered input from staff, stakeholders, user groups, and thousands of residents, dog park relocation and expansion due to proximity to the baseball field and use was a top recommendation in the 2023 Parks Master Plan (p. 119, included as Attachment B) and has been included in the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY26.
Reflecting the goals of the LWCF Act, the goals of the LWCF State Assistance Program are to:
- Meet State and locally identified public outdoor recreation resource needs to strengthen the health and vitality of the American People.
- Increase the number of protected State and local outdoor recreation resources and to ensure their availability for public use in perpetuity.
- Encourage sound planning and long-term partnerships to expand the quantity and to ensure the quality of needed State and local outdoor recreation resources.
Goodyear previously benefited from this source of funding when, in 2005, it was awarded $638,723 towards the development of picnic areas, sports and playfields, and support facilities at the city's original Community Park.
Located at Litchfield Road and Indian School Road, Goodyear Community Park includes 30 acres of recreation amenities including: youth baseball fields, splash pad, playground, tennis courts, pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts, skate park, dog park, restroom buildings, and a maintenance building, and is widely utilized.
Following a robust outreach process that gathered input from staff, stakeholders, user groups, and thousands of residents, dog park relocation and expansion due to proximity to the baseball field and use was a top recommendation in the 2023 Parks Master Plan (p. 119, included as Attachment B) and has been included in the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY26.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The 2023 Parks Master Plan identified dog park relocation and expansion as a priority due to its proximity to baseball fields and increasing usage conflicts. This recommendation resulted from extensive community outreach, which engaged staff, stakeholders, user groups, and thousands of residents. The relocation and expansion project has been incorporated into the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2026.
Given the alignment between the city's goals and the LWCF program's objectives—enhancing outdoor recreation access and ensuring long-term public availability—applying for LWCF funding presents a significant opportunity. Securing LWCF assistance would offset local costs while promoting sound planning and resource development.
Resolution 2025-2455 has been included as Attachment A.
Given the alignment between the city's goals and the LWCF program's objectives—enhancing outdoor recreation access and ensuring long-term public availability—applying for LWCF funding presents a significant opportunity. Securing LWCF assistance would offset local costs while promoting sound planning and resource development.
Resolution 2025-2455 has been included as Attachment A.