Grant Funding

California State Proposition 84 Urban Greening Grant Program; Florin Creek Parkway Land Acquisition Project in the South of Florin Area (SoFA)

In April 2010, the District and the County jointly prepared a grant application for $1,000,000 offered through the Proposition 84 Strategic Growth Council's (SGC) Urban Greening Grant Program to acquire approximately 12 acres of park and open space land along Florin Creek. In December 2010, the SGC completed their review process of the grant applications and recommended the Florin Creek Parkway Land Acquisition Project for $500,000 in funding. Twenty-three (23) projects totaling $16.6 million were recommended. With these funds Sacramento County will acquire a portion of the land included in the grant application and dedicate it to the Southgate Recreation and Park District who will own, develop and maintain the land in perpetuity under the requirements of the grant. This project will preserve a portion of the current floodplain of Florin Creek as open space and will provide an opportunity to expand the existing public park and parkway located along Florin Creek. The District is very excited about the acquisition and preservation of this land because it will improve accessibility, visibility and security for people who live in the area and use Sheldon Park and the Florin Creek Trail. Additionally, the District agrees to develop a program to provide Quimby credits toward future infill development for any of this land that is out of the Florin Creek floodplain. This property is located in the South of Florin Area (SoFA) for which the County has prepared an infill development plan to help guide development in this area in an orderly manner resulting in a complete community with interconnected neighborhoods and a distinctive character.

greening_grant

California State Proposition 84 Statewide Park Program Grant Round Two; Fruitridge Park and Aquatic Center Project

In 2010 the District applied for a Statewide Park Program Grant for the Fruitridge Park and Aquatic Center Project. Unfortunately, the Fruitridge Park and Aquatic Center grant application was not selected for funding. A total of $1.6 billion was requested through 475 applications ($184 million was available). The District will be applying for Round Two of the grant funds. The application deadline for Round Two is July 1, 2011. The District will be working with the RJM Design Group, a local landscape architecture firm, to prepare a revised preliminary site plan incorporating a proposed expansion of the park property. Public meetings were held in April and May to get community input on the revisions to the plan.

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United Stated Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Showcase Communities Grant; Sustainable Turfgrass Demonstration Garden

Chuck Ingels, Horticulture Advisor with the UC Cooperative Extension, with help from UC Master Gardeners, installed a turf demonstration garden at Florin Creek Park, next to the Florin Creek Recreation Center, located at 7460 Persimmon Ave., just west of 99 between Florin and Mack Roads. The turf demonstration project will be a 3-year project comparing several turf grass species that likely use far less water than standard lawns, and require less mowing. The project is funded by the US EPA's Climate Showcase Communities Grant program through Sacramento County Water Resources Department to promote River Friendly Landscaping.

In conjunction with the demonstration garden, the River-Friendly Landscaping Coalition, Sacramento County, the University of California Continuing Education, and the California Center for Urban Horticulture offered two workshops on sustainable turfgrass management at the Florin Creek Recreation Center. One was held in February and the other in June. The workshops included an introduction to River-Friendly Landscaping, and a discussion of alternative turf species, soil preparation, grasscycling, and irrigation management. They also included a tour of the turf demonstration plots adjoining the Florin Creek Center.

Sustainable Turfgrass Demonstration Garden

First 5 Sacramento Commission Grants; New Tot Lot Equipment & Butterfly Gardens Funded

In 2010 with generous grants from the First 5 Sacramento Commission, the District replaced the old tot lot playground equipment at Norman Waters Park and Florin Creek Park and built a new tot lot at Calvine Crossing Park. The projects also included new Butterfly Gardens to provide an educational opportunity for young children. One way for children to appreciate and care for their environment, is for them to see how plants feed and shelter animals. Plants were selected for these gardens which specifically attract butterflies and interpretive signs were included with information about butterflies and how to identify them. These projects provide an outdoor play space where infants, toddlers and their families can safely explore, play and exercise, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Please come out this SUMMER and enjoy the new equipment and see how the gardens are doing!

New Tot Lot Equipment & Butterfly Gardens