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Logansport parks staff seeks Land and Water Conservation Fund match for major Riverside Park overhaul
Summary
City parks staff detailed a proposed $1 million LWCF grant application for Riverside Park improvements, including an iconic playground and river access. Board members and public commenters urged realistic matching commitments and suggested expanding potential funders beyond the redevelopment commission and city council.
Logansport Parks and Recreation staff told the board on April 9 that they plan to apply this year for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant to pay for a large redesign of Riverside Park, including a new playground, improved river access and other amenities.
The LWCF application, staff said, would request up to $1 million; the grant requires a 50% local match. “The grant is due on August,” a staff member told the board. The application must include commitments showing where the city’s match will come from, staff added.
The proposal described replacing the existing playground with an accessible, high‑profile unit staff estimates could cost between $750,000 and $1 million, plus surfacing and related site work. The draft project list also includes additional parking, a splash pad, a central pavilion, river overlooks and measures to improve ADA access to riverfront facilities. Staff said construction on any grant award would likely not begin until 2027 at the earliest because of state and federal review timelines.
Residents and board members pressed staff on the feasibility of securing the match. Susie Walmsley of High Street asked whether staff can realistically expect the redevelopment commission and city council to commit the full matching funds in time. “So when before you apply for the grant, do you have to have commitments for the match?” Walmsley asked. The staff member replied that commitments must be shown in the application.
Commenters suggested broadening the pool of potential partners beyond the redevelopment commission and city council. One resident urged staff to approach the county and other regional funders because Riverside Park benefits residents beyond city limits. Board members noted uncertainty in municipal revenue streams and state policy changes that could affect the availability of matching funds; one board member said state property‑tax policy uncertainty has made local governments cautious about new commitments.
Staff said the application process will involve detailed budgeting and that they are still working with the city’s consultant to refine cost estimates. They emphasized that the $1 million is the maximum and that the application could be scaled to request less (for example, the playground only). Staff reiterated the August deadline and the need to present formal match requests to the council and the redevelopment commission before the application is submitted.
The board did not vote on the grant application on April 9, and staff said they will return with additional budget details and outreach plans for council and RDC consideration. The item was later the subject of a motion to table (see “Votes at a glance”).
If funded and matched, staff said the LWCF project could include a large, branded playground and improved river‑side trail connections intended to increase visitation and support other downtown riverfront investments.
