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Council green-lights Firdap application for Dale Hall/Bicentennial and moves toward a parks master plan with $40,000 cap
Summary
Council authorized staff to apply for a Firdap grant prioritizing Dale Hall/Bicentennial Park, recommended CRA funds for Spruce Park improvements, and approved a piggyback contract for a parks and recreation master plan with a spending cap of $40,000 pending confirmation of scope.
The Town Council voted to pursue a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (Firdap) grant for improvements at Dale Hall/Bicentennial Park and to use CRA funds to support projects at Spruce Park. Council also approved moving forward with a parks and recreation master-plan procurement via piggyback to Catalyst Design Group, with a condition that the town not spend more than $40,000 without returning to council for approval.
Staff noted the town may submit only one additional Firdap application this cycle and recommended prioritizing Dale Hall/Bicentennial Park to maximize scoring potential. Council approved the recommendation and directed staff to pair the grant request with matching funds from the community redevelopment agency where required.
On a separate but related item, staff recommended piggybacking on a contract for a parks master plan because the Spring Lake contract included a larger scope; after discussion council pared the study list. The approved scope removes Government Center Park, John Park and Bishop Park from the initial study but retains other sites including Lake June Park, Taylor Park, the Miracle League area and trail connectivity (Lake Placid Loop Trail and Highlands County connection south corridor). The council specified that the town would not expend more than $40,000 without further council action.
Council members debated the timing: some favored waiting for a county or regional planning product that could inform park priorities; others argued for moving forward to make the town more competitive for grant funds. "If staff can handle this, I don't think we should delay anymore with this plan," one councilor said. Council member Worley and others emphasized trail connectivity and master-plan benefits for grant scoring.
Why it matters: A master plan and a successful Firdap application could unlock state funding for playgrounds, park rehabilitation and trail connectivity, offsetting local matching requirements and shaping park investments.
Next steps: Staff will submit the Firdap application for Dale Hall/Bicentennial Park, identify matching funds (CRA and RPAC where eligible), finalize the piggyback master-plan scope within the $40,000 cap and return to council if costs exceed the cap or if the scope materially changes.
