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BOSAC signals support for recommending up to $400,000 in matching funds for RPI grant to improve Quandry Trail Head
Summary
Staff asked BOSAC to recommend that Town Council commit up to $400,000 (to be matched by county funds) as the town's share of an RPI grant application that would direct $1.2 million of the request to Quandry Trail Head improvements; commissioners expressed general support and asked staff to bring the recommendation to council.
Town staff told BOSAC on June 15 that a new Regional Partnership Initiative (RPI) grant offers a chance to secure statewide funds for major trail-head improvements, and asked whether the commission would recommend that Town Council commit up to $400,000 from the town’s open-space fund as local matching money.
The Summit County Outdoor Coalition is the eligible applicant; the National Forest Foundation and coalition partners (towns, county, U.S. Forest Service) would help write and administer the proposal. Staff described a combined project that pairs Quandry Trail Head improvements (paving, expanded parking, two double-vault toilets, a kiosk and better shuttle integration) with other countywide trail investments. The RPI application cap is $2.5 million; staff said $1.2 million of an awarded grant would be directed toward Quandry improvements, with the remaining funds allocated to partner projects.
Commissioners pressed for clarity about the numbers and timing and asked how the $400,000 would be budgeted. Staff said the town would propose the match in next year’s budget and that the figure is a ceiling (if the project costs less, the town's share would be proportionally lower). Staff also said the county must approve a matching contribution and that BOSAC's recommendation would be carried to Town Council as a resolution (stronger than a letter of support) if BOSAC concurs.
Several commissioners expressed support, noting that the project leverages significant grant dollars and that improvements at Quandry would reduce shuttle and parking friction for visitors. One commissioner urged scrutiny of opportunity cost — whether the funds should be spent closer to the town — but most characterized the countywide, multi-partner application as a strong lever for the town’s open-space goals.
Staff said the National Forest Foundation will lead grant writing and administration. BOSAC indicated it was comfortable recommending that Town Council consider a resolution committing up to $400,000 in matching funds, subject to county approval and final budget decisions; staff will seek council direction next week.
