Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
title
Ramsey County’s Parks & Recreation 2021 Competitive Equity Grant Awards
end
Recommendation
recommendation
1. Ratify the submittal of the grant application to Metropolitan Council in the amount of $2,000,000 for Equity Grant Programs.
2. Accept a grant award from and approve a grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council for Unlocking Winter Recreation - A Robust and Equitable Learn-to-Ski Program at Battle Creek Regional Park Equity Grant for the period of grant execution through June 30, 2024 in the amount of $161,300.
3. Accept a grant award from and approve a grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council for Cultural Liaisons for Parks Equity Grant for the period of grant execution through June 30, 2024 in the amount of $38,700.
4. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreements.
5. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and contracts and amendments to agreements and contracts in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
end
Background and Rationale
body
In 2021, the Metropolitan Council authorized over $2 million in Parks Interest Earnings for the Equity Grant Program. These dollars may be used to fund operating costs, including programming and staff by Regional Park Implementing Agencies. The 2021 Equity Grant Program emphasizes partnership building, equity programming efforts, internal and inter-agency collaboration, and designing accessible capital projects that not only meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, but provide innovative ways to bring meaningful, rich experiences to users.
The 10 Regional Parks Implementing Agencies submitted 37 applications, of which 23 were approved for funding. Ramsey County received funding for an equitable learn-to-ski program at the new Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area, as well as funding to support a cultural liaison position.
All of the mental and physical health benefits, leadership development opportunities and connection to the natural world that outdoor winter recreation can provide has been withheld from generations of communities in the east metro who may not have funds, access or cultural tradition to make winter recreation a part of their lives. The learn-to-ski program will unlock the outdoors in winter for thousands of culturally and racially diverse community members and people with disabilities in the east metro by removing barriers, building community and welcoming new communities into the winter outdoors with open arms.
Currently, Ramsey County Parks staff isn't reflective of the county's diversity and changing demographics. The addition of cultural liaison positions for Ramsey County Parks would be a powerful agent of change. By hiring racially and ethnically diverse staff to support outreach and programming geared toward diverse communities, we hope to increase the number of diverse participants in county programming as well as diversifying the Parks & Recreation's workforce.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Racial equity is at the heart of both of these grants and will have very positive benefits toward racial equity in the county. Funds provided through the learn-to-ski program grant will pay for equipment, instructors, and outreach to remove barriers and provide mental and physical health benefits for racially and ethnically diverse community members by engaging residents in winter recreation. The learn-to-ski program will unlock outdoor winter recreation for racially and ethnically diverse community members in the east metro which, in turn, will help to build a welcoming community for all residents.
Parks & Recreation is making progress on creating a workforce that is reflective of the county’s racial diversity but there is still work to be done. The addition of cultural liaison positions at Parks & Recreation, who are representative of underserved residents, will be a powerful agent of change. Racially and ethnically diverse cultural liaisons will conduct outreach and deliver programming focused on meeting the recreational needs of underserved residents.
Community Participation Level and Impact
A desire for more programming opportunities have been expressed in community engagement efforts such as the Battle Creek Regional Park Master Plan project. Organizations that provide similar services and could serve as potential partners are Saint Paul Public Schools, Minnesota Youth Ski League, Endurance United and Courage Kenny. These organizations were consulted in the development of this proposal.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The awarded grant will cover all associated costs of the learn-to-ski program and the hiring of a cultural liaison. No county match is required. Grant funds are to be added to the proposed 2022-23 Parks and Recreation budget.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
None
Attachments
1. Cultural Liaisons for Parks Competitive Equity Grant Agreement
2. Unlocking Winter Recreation - A Robust and Equitable Learn-to-Ski Program at Battle Creek Regional Park Competitive Equity Grant Agreement