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Council approves resolution to apply for land-and-water grant for Sunshine Park playground; debate over a second neighborhood park
Summary
The council approved a resolution to submit a $200,000 land-and-water grant application for a replacement playground at Sunshine Park (50% match). Council members discussed pursuing an additional grant or other funding to acquire land for a small neighborhood park south of Melgaard, noting timing, ownership and grant restrictions.
City staff and the parks board told the City Council on April 7 they will submit a land-and-water grant application seeking $200,000 for playground replacement at Sunshine Park, with a required 50% local match of $100,000 that the resolution commits the city to include in the 2026 budget if the grant is awarded.
Mark (representing Parks and Recreation) described the project as a replacement for a playground installed about 1998 and said the city will score well under the state outdoor recreation priorities. "The grant is for 200,000, 50% funding. So their share is a hundred thousand," he said.
Council members discussed a second, smaller park in a nearby neighborhood that currently lacks park space. Councilwoman Tiffany Langer urged the council to try to secure available land now, warning that parcels may be lost if the city waits. Parks staff said a land purchase application would require title to be in the city's name to be eligible for land-and-water funding and that grant deadlines and federal approvals can delay projects; staff recommended submitting the Sunshine Park application while pursuing options for the other neighborhood.
Mark said a potential neighborhood parcel is about 0.4 acres; the city's smallest existing park, Garfield Park, is about 0.5 acres. Staff noted land purchased with land-and-water funds typically must remain park property in perpetuity under grant conditions.
Councilman Norbstrup moved to approve the resolution to submit the Sunshine Park grant application and authorize staff to sign; the motion carried on a roll call vote with all members voting aye. Several council members asked staff to pursue alternative ways (capital funds or expedited purchase) to secure land for the neighborhood park rather than relying solely on a second, competitive grant.
