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Committee votes to apply for ODNR NatureWorks grant to fund pocket park at Mussey and West
Summary
The committee authorized the mayor to apply for and accept, if offered, an ODNR NatureWorks grant of up to Lorain County's allocation of $69,817 to help fund a pocket park at the corner of Mussey and West; the grant requires a 25% local match and the city expects to use funds already set aside in Issue 6.
The Utility, Safety and Environment Committee on April 9, 2025 voted to authorize the mayor to apply for and accept, if offered, a NatureWorks grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to fund a pocket park at the corner of Mussey and West (also referenced as Fifteenth and Mussey). The county allocation for this round is $69,817 and the grant requires a 25% local match.
Parks Director Reardon described the pocket-park plan as a small urban park featuring a continuous concrete walkway, a flexible area for food trucks on permeable pavers, interchangeable planters intended for art panels, swings, a small gazebo/shade area, two to three benches and landscaping around a central green space. “There will be some planters that kind of border the sidewalk corner there, and those, are intended to be able to allow art in and out,” Reardon said.
Reardon said the June 2 application deadline means the city should apply now; Law Director Deery advised proposing the item with an emergency clause because of application requirements. Reardon also said the city previously received a NatureWorks grant for the North Park playground and that the county’s $69,817 allocation is the full amount the city intends to request for this project.
Director Rudin told the committee that money for the pocket park match is already set aside in the Issue 6 budget, though higher-than-expected bids on the project will require adding funds. Reardon said the award is expected around November and that the city cannot proceed on a related West Park project until the state agreement for another grant is executed, which staff expect to occur later in the year.
The ordinance authorizing the mayor to apply for and accept the grant was moved by Mr. Oswald and seconded by Mr. Armstrong. The chair called the question; the committee voted in favor and the motion carried. The item will also be referred to finance for formal budget adjustments related to the match.
