Committee recommends $112,904 Clean Water Act grant agreement for Kiwanis Park wetlands project

The Cheyenne Finance Committee on March 4 voted to recommend City Council approval of a cooperative agreement with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for a fiscal year 2024 Clean Water Act Section 319 nonpoint source implementation grant to help construct water-quality wetlands at Kiwanis Community Park.

Jeanne Shrednick, Parks and Greenway planner, told the committee the project will include construction of water-quality wetlands along a portion of Dry Creek, gravel trails and educational signage on the city-owned Kiwanis Community Park site. Shrednick said the project will add to existing wetlands and open water, provide public trails for wildlife viewing and include volunteer planting opportunities with the Laramie County Conservation District.

Shrednick presented a funding match package from local partners: Kiwanis Club of Cheyenne ($80,000), Cheyenne High Plains Audubon Society ($2,500), Cheyenne Greenway Foundation ($3,000), Women's Civic League of Cheyenne ($800), Laramie County Conservation District ($1,000) and City of Cheyenne 6P funds for Kiwanis Park purchase and improvements (approx. $185,000). Shrednick said the current 6P account balance for Kiwanis Park is "in the realm of $500,000." She said construction is anticipated to start in September or October of this year and to finish by July of next year.

Moved by Esquivel and seconded by Moody, the committee recommended approving the grant agreement in the amount of $112,904; the committee took a voice vote and forwarded the recommendation to the March 10 City Council meeting.

Shrednick noted the project is described in the city's parks and recreation plan (which is undergoing Council review) and that the Kiwanis Club may separately fund a future nature play area. The transcript records the grant amount and partner contributions; the City will administer the project and coordinate volunteer planting and trail connections.