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Council commits $750,000 match to pursue $750,000 park-playground grant for Running Water Draw Park
Summary
The council approved a letter of commitment and a grant-application resolution to seek a $750,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife grant to replace the aging Kidsville play structure at Running Water Draw/Regional Park; the city would match the grant dollar-for-dollar and has already saved $450,000 toward the match.
Blair Crosswhite, the city’s improvement program manager, told council on June 24 that the Kidsville play structure at Running Water Draw (Regional Park) needs replacement after more than three decades of use and that staff is applying for grant funding to cover half of the project cost.
Crosswhite said the city is applying to Texas Parks and Wildlife for a $750,000 grant that requires a 50/50 local match. Staff recommended council approve a letter committing the city’s $750,000 match if the grant is awarded. Crosswhite said the application is due Aug. 1 and the city would learn whether it was approved in January; if approved the city would have four years from the award to complete the project.
Crosswhite described the structure as originally built in 1991 with community involvement and noted the city’s parks staff has maintained the structure for years. The proposal would replace the existing equipment with modern, longer‑lasting materials and aims to keep the park’s existing trees and community feel. Staff said it has been working with the South Plains Association of Governments (SPAAG) to prepare the application and is seeking engineering qualifications as part of the next steps.
Councilmember House moved to approve a letter of commitment for the 50/50 $750,000 match and Councilmember Martinez seconded; the council approved the motion as announced by the clerk. The council then approved a resolution (R25‑665) authorizing submission of the grant application; Councilmember Dickerson moved that resolution and it passed after discussion. Crosswhite said the city has accumulated $450,000 toward the required match and will continue saving if the grant is not awarded. He said staff plans community outreach and a public design process if the application is successful.
Councilmembers and staff noted the prior, larger park grant for other park work and praised parks staff for maintaining the old play structure. Crosswhite said if the grant is not awarded, staff will continue to set aside funds and reapply in future cycles.
