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Board weighs historical-signs grant and partnership with SDSU, museum
Summary
Parks staff outlined a grant opportunity for historical interpretive signs (grant size $2,500–$50,000) that would require a local match (15% under $25,000; 30% over) and discussed using SDSU interns and museum review to develop inclusive content and a QR-linked story map.
Parks staff told the board they are pursuing a historical-signs grant to replace aging blue rail-trail markers with new metal-framed interpretive signs and an associated interactive web map accessible by QR code.
Staff said the grant range is $2,500 to $50,000 and described the local match requirement: 15% for grants under $25,000 and 30% for grants above $25,000. The intention is to move beyond terse plaques to fuller narratives that include underrepresented local histories — Native Americans, immigrants and people of color — and to use SDSU students as researchers with museum review for accuracy.
Staff reported prior collaboration with a museum researcher named Sam and said three signs will be installed in the arboretum in the near term using previously gathered research. The board discussed the museum’s potential role and whether the museum would receive grant funds for its work; staff said the museum’s involvement and any funding split remain under discussion.
Board members were asked to surface local history leads and contacts to aid research. Staff said they would coordinate with the museum and SDSU and bring the grant application and project plan back to the board for approval if they proceed.
Next steps identified in the meeting: staff to clarify the grant’s lead grantee, firm up museum partnership terms, and return with an application recommendation and budget details.
