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Recreation staff report grant cancellation for urban forestry, plus program updates and aquatics preview
Summary
Staff told the commission that a federal cancellation has ended anticipated Arbor Foundation funding for an urban forestry grant; members also heard updates on Ada Hayden Park invasives removal, an unannounced Iowa DNR fish stocking, and high participation at the 60 Forward center’s new fitness offerings.
Joshua (recreation staff) reported that the Arbor Foundation received a federal cancellation notice that resulted in the city’s expected USDA-funded urban forestry grant being canceled.
“It’s funny that you asked that question. We just received a word today ... they received a cancellation notice from the federal government. And so they have, canceled that funding, for our for our for the grant that we were supposed to receive,” Joshua said. Staff did not provide a replacement funding source during the meeting.
Joshua also summarized operations and programming updates: an unannounced Iowa DNR fish stocking at Ada Hayden Heritage Park after planned ice-fishing activities were foiled by warm weather; ongoing invasive-tree and brush removal along the lake and prairie areas at Ada Hayden led by the city forester, Gabby; and plans to buy new equipment next fiscal year to make vegetation management more efficient.
Keith (staff member) described recent recreation programs at the 60 Forward center: duckpin-bowling clinics that attracted 31 participants and the start of a new duckpin bowling league. “Everything ... in regards to fitness classes ... I would have to say that it's exceeding our expectations,” he said, noting 12 of 14 offered classes are running.
Staff also previewed programming planned for the future aquatic center, including wellness-pool classes, water walking and multiuse spaces inside the walking-track area where two multipurpose rooms will serve group fitness.
The meeting adjourned by motion near the end of the agenda; the commission set its next meeting for March 27, 2025.
