Anchorage Park Foundation 2006 Challenge Grant Awards Status Report

Transcription

1 Anchorage Park Foundation 2006 Challenge Grant Awards Status Report Rasmuson Foundation awarded the Anchorage Park Foundation $400,000 to reconnect Anchorage citizens with their parks and trails. The Anchorage Park Foundation initiated a challenge to Anchorage groups and individuals wishing to make improvements to parks and trails through fundraising, labor and in-kind contributions. The results are not only improved parks and trails, but engaged park user groups and an involved community. Through these challenge grants we are increasing community involvement and ownership, strengthening park stewardship, and leveraging community contributions of time and money. The Anchorage Park Foundation has supported community based projects that rehabilitate park land, focusing first on our theme Clean & Green, Safe & Secure. This is exactly where the foundation has set its priorities to focus its resources. Our grassroots outreach yielded an amazing number of applications. With the results from year one and interest from many new groups, the Anchorage Park Foundation considers this program which stimulates park philanthropy and volunteerism a great success. Total # of Applications: 32 Total Request $ Amount: $689,630 Total # of Projects Funded: 27 Total Funding: $400,000 Total # of Projects funded at 100%: 11 Total # of Projects funded at 50% or more: 22 Estimated value of match from community labor, in-kind contributions and cash: $834,272 Quantified match to date: $1,066,495 Final reports were due October 1, We asked grantees to document expenditures, describe the status of the project, explain how the project has affected the grantee organization, and explain how the park improvement has affected the community. They reported volunteer hours, in-kind contributions, and funds raised and expended. Reports also include before and after photos, media attention, and any additional community recognition the project generated for the Anchorage Park Foundation or the grantee. 12 Report Delays have been requested, although many of these grantees have met their match in advance of completing their projects. These challenge grantees will each receive notification that funds must be refunded if the projects are not completed by page 1 of 10

2 CITYWIDE PROJECTS Girdwood Playground COMPLETE $20,000 cash $5,000 staff The Girdwood Playground Committee installed a playground May 31, 2006 at Girdwood Park. Match: $110,000 funds raised; $45,000 in-kind labor and materials; $5,000 staff time. Total Value: $160,000. Facilitation with Pool Community ISSUED 10/11/07 $2,500 An anonymous donor agreed to fund a series of facilitated meetings with the pool community. The Anchorage Park Foundation Board voted to meet that donor challenge halfway with unused challenge grant funding. Match: $2, page 2 of 10

3 Park Cleanups COMPLETE $20,000 The Anchorage Responsible Beverage Retailers Association cleaned and cleared brush in Valley of the Moon Park, Charles Smith Park, and Woodside Park. A total of 8,800 feet of trail were made safer with brush removal and crown raising for improved line of sight. Match: 500 professional hours donated; $2,753 wages contributed. Total Value $32,753. Tree and Shrub Plantings COMPLETE $15,000 Anchorage TREErific planted trees and shrubs at Abbott Loop Park, Lyn Ary Park, Turpin Park, and Fairview Lions Park, and Meadow Creek Park. Volunteers also watered and maintained tree planted to protect their initial investments. Match: 1660 volunteer hours; 80 professional hours donated; $3160 funds and services donated. Total Value: $37,093. United Way 50th Anniversary Day of Caring Project COMPLETE $20,000 Status: United Way selected 3 parks in Fairview for its 2007 United Way 50th Anniversary volunteer day of caring project: Fairview Park, Fairbanks Park, and the Fairview Lions Park. The Fairview Community Council was a strong partner in this initiative. Improvements include: 16 community garden plots, a patio, volleyball court improvements, and tree plantings. Match: 2,000 volunteer hours; $14,000 in-kind contributions. Total Value $49, page 3 of 10

4 NORTHWEST PARK DISTRICT Brown s Point Park DELAY REQUESTED $2,000 Government Hill Community Council fixed up Brown s Point Park by removing some pavement, reseeding, installed parking barrier boulders, reseeding, and painting the totem pole. Status: The totem pole project is complete. The pavement is removed. Work will be completed summer The community council secured legislative funding that they will also use to support this project. Remaining Funds at APF: $1,759 Match to date: 89.5 volunteer hours in 2006; State Funding $2,300. Total Value $3,870. Centennial Rose Garden DELAY REQUESTED $5,000 The Alaska Rose Society has improved Centennial Rose Garden in Delaney Park, and expects to complete work in spring Status: They have met their grant requirements for volunteer hours, and intend to spend their last $1000 on materials for an arbor, to enhance the gateway to the garden. Match to date: 286 volunteer hours, and contractor volunteer hours. Total Value $6,175. Didlika Park DELAY REQUESTED $20,000 Turnagain neighbors, community council volunteers, and an Eagle Scout are working together to improve this pocket park by reestablishing grass and foliage, and adding a historical sign and art element. Status: This project experienced a delay due to a change in neighborhood leadership and a vetoed capital budget item, but is on track with a winter 2008 design process, and plans to complete the project summer Match to date: 494 volunteer hours; 4 volunteer contractor hours; Total Value $10, page 4 of 10

5 Fairbanks Park DELAY REQUESTED $35,000 Fairview Community Council and United Way Day of Caring volunteers planted 80 wild rose shrubs at the top of the hill in the park. The basketball court was removed and that area was reseeded. Status: With $6,000 left to spend this community council and its partnering patrol group will focus on safety features, including a surveillance camera, spring Match to date: 800 volunteer hours and a $5,000 donation, valued at $19,040. Peratrovich Park DELAY REQUESTED $20,000 The Anchorage Park Foundation helped raise funds to install a statue titled Flight of the Raven, by Roy Peratrovich Jr., in Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich Park. Status: This group raised $76,000 and began work with the foundry in summer 2007 for a summer 2008 installation. Match raised to date: 1160 volunteer hours; $56,000 funds raised. Total Value $76,358 Remaining funds to spend: $59,000 Quiyana Park DELAY REQUESTED $19,000 The Winterberry Charter School Parents Guild will work to improve this small downtown park with visitor amenities, irrigation infrastructure, and play items to make the park usable and welcoming to visitors and residents. Status: Volunteers planted a living willow fence, weeded and replanted the beds along 1st Avenue, added new picnic tables, a new garbage can, boulders and sand play areas. The group obtained a permit required from the Alaska Railroad to work on Railroad property. Volunteers are currently working with designers and agencies to install an irrigation system, and additional play items and amenities. Match to date: 605 volunteer hours; $11,322 in donations. Total Value: $27,655 page 5 of 10

6 Spenard Recreation Center INVITATION TO REISSUE $450 Wallyball players at Spenard Recreation Center proposed to raise funds to purchase new nets and equipment. Status: This proposal fell through, but the board determined that a new Park District Manager may be interested and able to establish connections with players through this challenge. NORTHEAST PARK DISTRICT Abbott Loop Park COMPLETE $35,000 Simonian Little League irrigated the Abbott Loop Park Ball fields with this grant. For the project they also erected fences; installed batting cages; purchased and installed storage units; ran electrical service to the fields; designed and constructed a state-of-the-art irrigation system; modified and moved bleachers, moved and modify the temporary concession building; completed the infields and warning paths; purchased and installed pitching rubbers, bases and home plates at all 4 fields; and purchased and installed protective fence top coverings. Status: The field is irrigated. ENSTAR donated the bulk of the irrigation materials. Electric installation complete. Match: $338,522 funds raised; $87,000 in-kind. Total Value: $425,522 Bartlett Pool Scoreboard COMPLETE $3,500 Central Area Swimming purchased and installed a new LED scoreboard for Bartlett Pool, installed October Match: $10,593. Total Value: $14,093 Campbell Creek Trail DELAY REQUESTED $1,200 The Fire Prevention Bureau will improve their adopted section of the Campbell Creek Trail by installing dog stations and planting wildflowers. Status: This project is currently fundraising and plans for a poop station installation Spring Match to date: 50 volunteer hours and a $850 gift. Total Value $1,727. Jacobson Park Trail COMPLETE $8,000 Rogers Park Community Council improved a trail in Jacobson Park for pedestrian use with the help of an Eagle Scout. Due to local controversy, the project was scaled down considerably. The group only requested $2,100 and ended up returning $1,581, spending only $519. Match: 70 volunteer hours; $997 in materials donated. Total Value $2, page 6 of 10

7 Mountainview Baseball DELAY REQUESTED $10,000 Donor Larry Partusch asked that we spend his contribution and the match on improving three Mountainview baseball fields. Status: We installed baseline fencing and a backstop at Centennial Park. Funds allocated to date equal $10,000, but staff recently rediscovered we have matching funding! Spring 2008 we can replace the outfield fencing with the same green vinyl coated chain link fence. Match: $10,000. Mountainview Community Gathering Place DELAY REQUESTED $35,000 The Mountainview Arts & Culture District Association has clearly identified a need for a community gathering place for festivals & music events. This grant could help the community realize this goal in a park. Status: A park planner is working with the community council to focus on the space at McPhee Community Gardens. This project is particularly appealing due to the new Refugee Garden, installed and administered by Catholic Social Services. If the community can work together with a park planner, there is still time to utilize this challenge. Paddleboat Café at Goose Lake Park COMPLETE $10,000 Summer 2007 a Parks & Recreation project manager organized the installation of 3 new double doors and 3 picture windows for the Paddleboat Café. That summer the city also installed a new park sign, new benches, trashcans, a bike rack, and a new patio. Match: $1,800 install discount, SBS discount, 16 hours for design services, materials and volunteer hours for 3 roll down security doors. Total Value $4, page 7 of 10

8 University Lake Park DELAY REQUESTED $40,000 The Tudor Center Trust (comprised of owners on the Alaska Native Medical Center campus) wishes to see University Lake Park improved as a place of recreation and healing for visitors, patients, and employees. We will work with the Tudor Centre Trust to make the trail ADA accessible from the park boundary to the lake. The trail will promote access to the park, and the trailhead will be established and beautified, connecting to the Chester/Campbell trail connection (under construction). Status: This project was delayed due to a delay in trail system construction, but is on track for summer Williwaw Park COMPLETE $30,000 Russian Jack Community Council installed playground equipment in Williwaw Park June 22, This grant provided funds for landscaping and a trail through the park. Match: 5,191 volunteer hours; $14,000 funds raised. Total Value: $105,102. Before In Action Complete! Success! SOUTHWEST PARK DISTRICT Sand Lake Dock COMPLETE $5,000 The Anchorage Rowing Association purchased and installed a floating dock, 7 6 wide by 45 long, angling off the existing dock ramp. Match: 191 volunteer hours; 3 hours volunteer welding; $9,266 funds raised. Total Value $12,798. Putting in the lake: Before = wet rowers Putting in the lake: After = dry rowers page 8 of 10

9 SOUTHEAST PARK DISTRICT Rabbit Creek Trail COMPLETE $1,193 The Rabbit Creek Community Council and the Anchorage Trails & Greenways Coalition established a trail system in the Rabbit Creek Greenbelt. Volunteers used this grant to improve trail safety. Match: 416 volunteer hours; 4 hours volunteer design; $2,336 funds raised and materials donated. Total Value $9,876. Before, a steep, eroding slope Community & Trail Crew Construction After! A sustainable & safe trail Richter Trail Reconstruction & Extension COMPLETE $5,287 The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage reconstructed the Richter Trail to provide a classic-only trail loop in the Hillside trail system. Status: The new connector trails from the Bog Trail to the Ridge Loop have been completed. The Bog Trail is awaiting a determination from the Army Corps of Engineers regarding Class C wetlands. Further work to the Bog Trail is dependant on the permitting process. Match: 354 volunteer hours; 216 Firewise hours; Funds Raised, $14,204. Total Value: $33,376. CENTRAL PARK DISTRICT CENTRAL Bancroft Park Playground COMPLETE $6,370 Anchorage East Rotary installed playground equipment for three to five year olds (purchased in a previous year) in Bancroft Park. They held five volunteer work days. Status: Playground equipment installed. Project went $1,000 over budget, with board approval. Match: 200 volunteer hours; 20 skilled volunteer hours; gravel, topsoil, bark mulch and geotech fabric donated; Total Value $9, page 9 of 10

10 Campbell Park DELAY REQUESTED $20,000 Campbell Creek Commons developers and Evergreen Nursery will improve a section of Campbell Park near the new development. $10,000 of the donor funds and $10,000 of the challenge grant will go toward Campbell Park improvements, and $20,000 will to underserved areas. Status: Planning staff will work this winter with the community to finalize plans for a Summer 2008 trail and gateway installation. Far North Bicentennial Park COMPLETE $18,000 Volunteers set out to install 30 trail intersection sign posts and 8 trailhead kiosks. As the project took shape project leaders determined that FNBP needed 57 signs posts to do a thorough job. Cost savings were achieved by relocating and/or refurbishing several existing kiosks, necessitating the construction of only 4 new kiosks. They are currently designing an additional kiosk at the Abbott Loop Park Trailhead. Status: As of the end of October all but two sign posts have been installed and about 90 percent of them have new signs designating the trail names, maps for orientation, direction and distance to the nearest trailheads, appropriate seasonal usage, and direction of travel if needed. The sign posts are designed to look consistent with those in the BLM Campbell Tract. Less than a dozen sign posts are still in need of maps and signs which are being (or soon will be) printed. The signs will be installed late fall/early winter as soon as they are available. At this time the kiosks are near completion. Large maps are being printed to be attached to the left side of the kiosks. Painting will be completed in the spring when the ambient temperature rises to above 50 degrees. Match: $22,425 state funding; 690 volunteer hours to date; Total Value $34,535. You Are Here! (you are NOT lost) page 10 of 10