Subject
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SKATEBOARD AND TEEN ADVENTURE PARK.
Summary and Background
The Teen Adventure Park will create a youth adventure park targeting ages 12-18. The park includes 18,000sf covered skatepark, restroom, climbing rock, basketball, Zip-line, passive recreation, and parkour fitness.
Passage of a Resolution is required by the State of Oregon for application to the Local Parks Project Grants and the Land Water Conservation Fund. As identified in the Resolution No. 2148, the City is required to allocate the matching funds related to both grant sources.
This project is identified as a priority for the City of Hermiston based on continued public survey data suggesting “More programs for teenagers are needed.” Teenagers rank as the second largest population group in Hermiston at 24% are teenagers. Programmatically this population is under-served as it relates to recreation facilities and programs. There is no existing functional BMX or skate park in Hermiston. This is unusual for a City with a population of nearly 20,000. Hermiston is the largest City in Eastern Oregon and does not currently provide a teen-oriented recreation facility.
In a recent Parks and Recreation Survey completed in January 2020 the following results were collected that relate directly to the Teen Adventure Park program:
- 67% of respondents feel Hermiston needs more parks or recreation facilities.
- Teenagers were identified as the most underserved population (20%). All ages under 19 garnered 39% of responses for being underserved.
- Written comments for serving underserved populations included creating facilities specifically for teens.
- 41% of respondents marked bike trails as "very important."
- In terms of selecting potential future improvements:
- Rock climbing: 63% of respondents named this as moderate to high importance
- Bicycle park: 69% of respondents named this as moderate to high importance
- Mountain biking trails: 61% of respondents named this as moderate to high importance
- Skate park: 60% of respondents named this as moderate to high importance
The Teen Adventure Park responds directly to the identified demand for all of the above recreational activities. This facility is highly anticipated by teenagers and incorporates a long list of amenities resulting from design workshops held at the Hermiston High School.
Tie-In to Council Goals:
The City has established goals to guide them in developing partnerships with regional and community partners to seek support, funding, or other resources to advance these priorities and improve the Hermiston community.
Fiscal Information
The City has allocated $272,000 in local funding match for the Local Parks Projects Grant and the Land Water Conservation Fund. Depending on the award of one or both grants, the City may need to proceed in phases or adjust the final scope of work to meet the available funding.
Alternatives and Recommendation
Alternatives
Approve Resolution No. 2148 approving the applications of park grants.
Reject Resolution No. 2148 approving the applications of park grants.
Modify Resolution No. 2148 approving the applications of park grants.
Recommendation
Approve Resolution No. 2148 approving the applications of park grants.
Requested Action/Motion
Motion to approve Resolution No. 2148 approving the applications of Oregon State Funding for the Teen Adventure Park.
Submitted By: Larry Fetter