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Alpine council directs staff to pursue parks and trails grants; approves playground/splash‑pad application and prioritizes 3 Falls flow trail and Lambert Park
Summary
The Alpine City Council on Feb. 11 directed staff to pursue multiple state grants for parks and trails, approving a CPR playground/splash‑pad application (4–1) and instructing staff to seek funding for a 3 Falls flow trail and Lambert Park trail rehabilitation with a potential Burgess Park pavilion alternative.
The Alpine City Council on Feb. 11 approved a package of grant‑seeking directions and individual grant applications aimed at parks, trails and playground improvements.
CPR grant: In the first action, council members voted to authorize staff to apply for the new Community Parks & Recreation (CPR) grant to replace playground equipment or splash‑pad infrastructure. The motion passed on a 4–1 roll call (Yes: 4; No: 1). Council discussion emphasized that the CPR grant has a funding range that the presenter said runs from roughly $5,000 to $200,000 and that the city’s 50% match could come from park tax revenue or a combination of cash and allowable in‑kind contributions. Councilmember Brent Rummler and others noted that volunteer hours can count toward the match but that state grant rules limit how much in‑kind labor may be credited.
3 Falls flow trail and Lambert Park trails: Separately, the council instructed staff to move forward with applications for two other grants. Councilman Jason Thielen moved that the city pursue the Utah Outdoor Recreation (UOR) grant for a 3 Falls flow trail; the motion passed unanimously. Staff told the council a preliminary bid estimate for the 3 Falls trail was about $150,000 total and that the city would be responsible for roughly half of that under the usual 50/50 match (about $75,000), with a portion possibly satisfied by volunteer time. Thielen and staff emphasized the Trails Committee had a bid process under way to firm up costs.
The council also approved pursuing a Restoration Infrastructure/Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure (RRI) grant focused on Lambert Park trail rehabilitation, with an amendment later in the meeting that specifically asked staff to investigate the feasibility of relocating and rebuilding a pavilion at Burgess Park under the RRI program and, if that proved infeasible, to prioritize the Lambert Park trails. That RRI motion passed 3–2.
Timing and conditions: Staff noted different grants have different deadlines and windows for completion; one UOR/RRI deadline mentioned in the discussion closed March 17 (city staff warned that timeline is tight), and projects generally allow 18–24 months for completion. Council members repeatedly conditioned their approvals on receiving firm cost estimates and said the city would review final cost and match obligations before committing to construction in the next fiscal year. Several council members encouraged staff to pursue fundraising and community contributions to reduce the city’s cash match.
Why it matters: The actions direct city staff to write and submit three separate grant applications that, if awarded, would fund new or repaired trails, playgrounds and park facilities. Council members framed the grants as a way to upgrade worn infrastructure, increase recreation options and leverage park tax revenue and volunteer labor to stretch city funds.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to apply for Community Parks & Recreation (CPR) grant (playground/splash pad/Creekside equipment): Passed, 4 yes, 1 no. City to pursue grant applications and evaluate costs and feasibility.
- Motion to pursue Utah Outdoor Recreation (UOR) grant for 3 Falls flow trail: Passed, unanimous (5 yes). Staff to use incoming bids to complete application.
- Motion to pursue Restoration Infrastructure/Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure (RRI) grant for Burgess Park pavilion (investigate) with Lambert Park trails as alternative: Passed, 3 yes, 2 no. Staff to evaluate feasibility and costs and report back.
Next steps and staff work: Council asked staff to obtain formal cost estimates and to prepare required letters of support. Staff also said master planning work (a parks master plan and trails master plan) would strengthen future grant applications and help justify use of impact fees; staff advised that certain projects will be more competitive if tied to regional connections (for example, linking to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail) or ADA/improved accessibility.
