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Bethel approves park master-plan work to leverage $200,000 RTG into larger PARTF grant bid
Summary
The board authorized hiring Rivers & Associates to prepare a Smith Street Park master plan so the town can use a $200,000 Rural Transformation Grant (RTG) as a match to pursue state PARTF funds, potentially expanding the project to about $800,000.
The Bethel Town Board voted to engage Rivers & Associates to develop a master plan for Smith Street Park and pursue state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) matching funds that could multiply an initial $200,000 Rural Transformation Grant (RTG) into a larger project.
Interim Manager Scott told the board the town received a $200,000 RTG award and that the town could use RTG dollars as local match to pursue PARTF grant funding. "You could take $200,000 of RTG and ask for $200,000 of PARTF funds," he said, and proposed supplementing RTG with town fund balance to produce a more competitive application that could yield an $800,000 project for phased park improvements.
The board discussed accessibility improvements (paving a walking trail for wheelchair access), parking and utility constraints across the park, and timeline pressure: RTG funds must be spent in the coming months to preserve eligibility for matching funding. The manager said the Rivers & Associates agreement would formalize existing grant documents into a plan required by PARTF and position the town to apply for matching dollars.
Commissioners voted to approve the professional services agreement and to move forward with grant planning. Staff will work with Kelsey Dews and others to prepare the PARTF application and return with cost estimates and a phased implementation plan.
Next steps: Rivers & Associates to prepare the master plan and staff to prepare the PARTF application and budget adjustments as required.
