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Parks and recreation grant funds yield more than 20,000 program attendances in first year, staff says
Summary
City parks and library programming funded by a federal/state grant reached more than 20,000 participants in the first year, staff told the commission; the city used in‑kind matches so no additional local tax dollars were spent.
Parks and recreation staff reported to the Alma City Commission that grant-funded recreation and library programs drew more than 20,000 participant attendances in the program’s first year, and that the city incurred no additional local taxpayer expense because the grant allowed in-kind matching.
Chris (Parks and Recreation staff) said the city hosted weekly “evenings in the park” from Memorial Day to Labor Day and partnered where possible with local groups. He said the city’s own park events drew more than 1,200 attendees and the library used grant funds for 43 different program types across 256 events that together attracted more than 16,000 participants. Chris said the combined impact — counting library, parks and partner events — exceeded 20,000 participations in year one.
Staff described a mixture of activities offered: family events, Touch-a-Truck, fitness and yoga classes, history programs, a photo contest, Hope in the Park vendor events, and evening game nights. Library programs included senior tech classes, self-defense, meditation and seasonal family photo events. Staff said the grant required a 10% match but allowed in-kind contributions; the city used portions of existing staff time to meet the match requirement and said no new local funds were spent.
Looking ahead, staff said the department will emphasize adult sports (a softball league and volleyball league), work with the Alma disc golf group on a tournament, operate free children's day camps for ages roughly 6–12, and use an intern from Central Michigan University to lead summer sports activities. Commissioners received the report and moved to receive it as presented.
