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La Verne Parks advisory committee flags funding gap for Greenway; Brookside park still months from completion
Summary
Committee members were told the city lacks current budget authority for Greenway work, with engineering alone estimated at $400,000 and full build‑out discussed near $3 million; staff said Brookside Park is about 80% complete and playground equipment is slated for next fiscal year.
Chair called the La Verne Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to order and opened discussion about the combined responsibilities of the parks, beautification and Greenway work after those functions were merged earlier to address low participation.
City staff reviewed the history: arts, beautification and Greenway duties were consolidated because the separate committees often lacked quorums. David (staff) told the committee the Greenway currently lacks dedicated city funding and that earlier trail segments were constructed with grants. "As far as the Greenway goes, there's really no funds in the city's budget at this time to move forward with that," he said.
Staff described available grant structures and limits, noting many recreation and trail grants require local matching funds (for example, 50/50 or 80/20 arrangements). David said the engineering estimate to complete planning for portions of the Greenway is roughly $400,000 and that full project costs could reach about $3,000,000, figures members cited as a constraint on near‑term progress. "Well where we're at on the Greenway, I think current engineering costs were estimated to be at 400,000," he said.
Members discussed grant-writing capacity and whether the city should hire a full‑time grant writer or contract the work. Staff said departments have been handling grant applications in-house and added the city has explored contracting for grant-writing services. The committee noted the time-consuming nature of grant applications and the multi-year timeline typical of state and federal grants.
On a related construction update, staff reported the Brookside Park contractor is approximately 80% complete; the contract end date is listed as August 13. David said weather has slowed work on the walking trail and that, if schedules hold, playground equipment could be installed in the next fiscal year after the July budget cycle, with public use likely in early fall. "They're probably 80% done as far as the contract ... After that, next budget year, which starts in July, hopefully, we'll get the playground equipment in," David said.
The committee did not take any final funding votes at this meeting, but members asked staff to explore grant opportunities and options for funding engineering and construction costs and to report back ahead of budget season.
The meeting next considers related budget priorities before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, which must approve any funding shifts.
Ending: Chair closed the discussion by reminding members this advisory body makes recommendations — final approvals rest with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
