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CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF AN OKLAHOMA TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ENDOWMENT TRUST GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,000 TO BE USED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO INSTALL A FITNESS WALKING TRAIL AT SAXON PARK LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 9 JUST WEST OF 36TH AVENUE S.E., APPROVAL OF CONTRACT NO. K-1213-204, AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION.
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BACKGROUND: The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) offers Healthy Communities Incentive Grants to Oklahoma communities who have achieved Certified Healthy Community status. Certification may be achieved on several levels and includes a large variety of criteria such as an ordinance providing smoke free public buildings and parks, outdoor recreational opportunities, bike and walking paths and community health education. Norman became a Certified Healthy Community in 2011 when the certification program began. The certification must be applied for on an annual basis.
DISCUSSION: Norman Regional Health System is the lead agency who applied for the Healthy Communities Incentive Grant on behalf of the City of Norman, Cleveland County Turning Point, Norman Public Schools and Healthy Community Coalition among other local health agencies.
The application was for $35,000 to be used for a fitness/walking trail at Saxon Park. On 9 May 2013, TSET advised approval of the award for this application, see attachment. This grant is a part of the Saxon Park Phase II development plan which includes construction of a 10’wide concrete multi-modal trail with fitness stations along its route.
Saxon Park is a 67.36 acre park located at the southeast corner of Hwy 9 and 36th Avenue Southeast. Saxon Park was selected for the grant application as an underserved area of the Norman community. It is in proximity to the Kennedy, Madison, Reagan and Washington elementary schools. The Healthy Communities Incentive Grant for project will help promote physical activity, an important step toward serving the health needs of the surrounding community. Other components of the Saxon Park Project are being funded through the Oklahoma Recreation Trails Grant Program and the Community Parkland Development Fund.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council accept the Healthy Communities Incentive Grant, in the amount of $35,000, in order to construct a fitness trail on the southern boundary in Saxon Park and approve Contract No. K-1213-204. On acceptance of the grant the funding will be receipted into Miscellaneous Parks Grants (account 022-0000-334.13-75) and appropriated to Saxon Park Trail, Construction (account 022-9674-452.61-01; project PR0023).