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Council accepts federal grant application to upgrade Hardy Park, residents asked to weigh design during workshops
Summary
Council approved applying for a federal recreational trails grant and the required 25% local match to upgrade Hardy (Arty) Park. Parks Director Richard Blankenship said upgrades focus on trail resilience, parking improvements, shade and exercise equipment replacement after repeated inspection failures; a resident urged leaving the park as is. Council approved staff recommendation and the grant application.
The City Council approved submitting a federal recreational trails grant application to fund upgrades at Hardy (Arty) Park and committing the local 25% match. Parks and Recreation Director Richard Blankenship said the proposal focuses on replacing exercise equipment that failed safety inspections, formalizing and improving the milling parking lot, resurfacing uneven sections of the trail to remove trip hazards, and adding shaded areas and benches.
Resident Richard Gilmore spoke during the pulled consent item, saying he values the park’s current character and questioned whether investing roughly $450,000 (with a $112,500 local contribution from discretionary sales tax) would materially improve the park. Blankenship and other councilors responded that the existing equipment had exceeded its useful life, had repeatedly failed inspections, and that continued deferral would increase maintenance and liability costs. Blankenship noted this project is a federal grant that would trigger public workshops for final design if funded.
Council discussed the value of open space and the need to replace end‑of‑life infrastructure rather than leave the area unmaintained. After public comment and staff clarification, the council approved accepting the grant application and committing the required local match on a roll‑call vote.
What's next: If funded, staff will hold public workshops for design and will return to the parks committee and council for review of final plans and any contracts.
