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Parks board backs staff application for LWCF grant to rebuild Greenfield Park bridge
Summary
The Wilmington Parks Advisory Board voted to support staff applying for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to help replace the Greenfield Park bridge after demolition for safety reasons; staff said matching state funds and city CIP money will cover much of the estimated $1.3–$1.4 million cost.
Wilmington — The Parks Advisory Board voted on Oct. 15 to back staff in applying for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant that city staff said would help pay to rebuild the Greenfield Park bridge.
Staff (Speaker 3) told the board the old Lionsbridge was demolished for safety reasons and that the city received a roughly $500,000 Great Trails state grant this summer. Staff said the LWCF request — listed in the discussion as $450,000 — would be matched with the state grant and existing capital funds to cover a revised construction estimate of about $1.3–$1.4 million.
"We got an updated cost estimate from our engineering firm ... there have been cost increases that we don't believe we are gonna be able to cover in our current budget," Speaker 3 said, describing the rationale for seeking additional grant support.
Staff showed an early concept study for a longer, ADA-compliant bridge that would remain within the existing bridge and trail footprint to limit tree removal and other disturbance. Staff said the LWCF application deadline is Nov. 3 and that award notifications typically arrive in the spring, at which point construction planning would proceed.
During discussion, Speaker 4 and others outlined existing city funding: roughly $630,000 in FY25 CIP allocations toward the bridge, about $130,000 already spent on concept design and demolition, plus the $500,000 Great Trails award. That combination, staff said, plus the potential LWCF award, would allow the city to proceed if the grant is awarded.
The board moved to "support staff in applying for" the LWCF grant; the motion (identified in the transcript as made by Ingrid and seconded by Joe) passed on voice vote.
Next steps staff described include submitting the Nov. 3 LWCF application, continuing with design work using current funds, and awaiting the spring award decision. Staff cautioned that prices could rise while the city waits for a grant decision.
