DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Submit Grant Applications To Metropolitan Council’s Regional Parks And Trails System Competitive Equity Grant Program
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council Competitive Equity Grant program provides funding to regional park agencies for projects that will strengthen equitable usage of regional parks and trails by all of the region’s residents, across age, race, ethnicity, income, national origin, and ability; and
WHEREAS, the 2027 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was released on September 24, 2026, and describes the Metropolitan Council’s intentions for the Regional Parks and Trails System Competitive Equity Grant Program in 2027; and
WHEREAS, $8,000,000 is available to regional park agencies for competitive, non-capital and capital projects; and
WHEREAS, agencies may submit up to four applications, and no individual grant shall be less than $100,000 or more than $1,000,000; and
WHEREAS, applications must be received by November 30, 2026, and notice of funding will be announced in March 2027; and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the funding criteria and proposes submission of four applications: 1) Parks Without Barriers: An Outdoor Accessibility Initiative; 2) Field to Future: School Partnerships and Programming; 3) Belonging by Design: Public Art for Welcoming Spaces; 4) Connecting Cultures: Foraging, Land, and Language.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby supports and authorizes the submission of four applications to the Metropolitan Council’s Regional Parks and Trails System Competitive Equity Grant Program: 1) Parks Without Barriers: An Outdoor Accessibility Initiative for up to $500,000; 2) Field to Future: School Partnerships and Programming for up to $250,000; 3) Belonging by Design: Public Art for Welcoming Spaces for up to $390,000; 4) Connecting Cultures: Foraging, Land, and Language for up to $430,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That staff will return to the Board to accept any funds awarded and to execute grant agreements.
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BACKGROUND
Metropolitan Council's Thrive MSP 2040 committed the Council to strengthen equitable usage of regional parks and trails by all of the region’s residents across age, race, ethnicity, income, national origin, and ability. To honor this commitment, the Met Council created and implemented the Regional Parks and Trails System Competitive Equity Grant Program in 2019, 2021, and 2024. The Council’s Imagine 2050 and the 2050 Regional Parks and Trails Policy Plan continue this commitment to equity and the equity grant program.
The Council has designated funds to provide financial support to regional park implementing agencies for projects that will strengthen equitable usage of regional parks and trails by all of the region's residents, such as across age, race, ethnicity, income, national origin, and ability.
As a condition for participating in this grant program, applicants must either have, or be substantially working towards, completing a current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) self-evaluation or transition plan that covers accessibility to the Regional Parks and Trails System as required under Title II of the ADA.
Consistent with authorizing state statutes and the 2050 Regional Parks and Trails Policy Plan, grant proposals must meet all the criteria below to be considered for funding:
• Address one or more of the equity focus areas outlined above (age, race, ethnicity, income, national origin or ability).
• Be within the boundaries of the Regional Parks and Trails System or clearly connect visitors to the regional parks and trails within the Regional Parks and Trails System.
• Be consistent with the 2050 Regional Parks and Trails Policy Plan.
• Be broadly consistent with a Council-approved long-range plan prior to the Council executing a grant agreement.
• Be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Be approved by the agency’s locally elected board either individually or as part of a local capital improvement plan prior to the Council executing a grant agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board authorize submission of applications for four eligible Dakota County grant proposals, not to exceed the following amounts:
|
Proposed Application |
Not-to-Exceed Amount |
|
Parks Without Barriers: An Outdoor Accessibility Initiative |
$500,000 |
|
Field to Future: School Partnerships and Programming |
$250,000 |
|
Belonging by Design: Public Art for Welcoming Spaces |
$390,000 |
|
Connecting Cultures: Foraging, Land, and Language |
$430,000 |
|
Total |
$1,570,000 |
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
None at this time. No matching funds are required. No additional FTEs are requested within the proposals. Outdoor Education and Natural Resources temporary staffing support for Field to Future and Connecting Cultures is included in grant requests. No ongoing maintenance expenses are expected for any of the applications.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Notice of Funding Availability
Attachment: Presentation Slides
CONTACTS
Department Director: Niki Geisler
Author: Niki Geisler