Ocean Shores readies parks plan and RCO grant timeline; city will convene staff and board

Ocean Shores city staff told the Parks Board they will begin preparing for the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant cycle and will convene a meeting with board members and key city staff to select potential projects.

The RCO grant process is time-sensitive and could fund significant park improvements, the city said.

Scott (Parks Board member) said the RCO grant opens Feb. 11; the city’s comprehensive parks plan will be submitted before March 2, and RCO applications are due April 30. He told the board that the city may apply for a project that ranges from a small scaled improvement to the full-amount award depending on cost estimates.

City staff asked the Parks Board to plan a future meeting in which the mayor, a project manager, the public works director and the grant manager will join the board to discuss project priorities and budget scenarios. Tim Hiles, identified in the meeting as the city’s grant manager, was mentioned as a likely contact for grant-scoping decisions.

Discussion: Board members discussed candidate projects (walking paths, court overlays, new amenities) and emphasized obtaining accurate cost estimates before committing to a grant scope.

Direction: City staff will schedule a joint workshop with the mayor, project manager, public works director and grant manager to develop project options and cost estimates for the RCO application.

Decision: No application was approved at the meeting; staff were directed to prepare options and return to the Parks Board for a decision.