City Council Agenda and Packet 2020 09 22 SP

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LL 1tyof_ CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Louisville AGENDA ITEM 2A COLORADO • SINCE 1878 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 72, SERIES 2020 — A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE'S GRANT APPLICATION TO THE COLORADO STATE RECREATIONAL TRAILS GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE 2021 DAVIDSON MESA OPEN SPACE TRAILS RESURFACING PROJECT DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 PRESENTED BY: NATHAN MOSLEY, DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE EMBER BRIGNULL, OPEN SPACE SUPERINTENDENT SUMMARY: In August, the Colorado State Recreational Trails Grant Program announced several grant opportunities; this program is a partnership among Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Great Outdoors Colorado, the Federal Recreational Trails Program, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. With City Council approval, the City will apply for the Trails Maintenance Grant in the 2021 Non -Motorized Grant Cycle to support funding of the 2021 Davidson Mesa Open Space Trail Resurfacing Capital Improvement Project (CIP) At the July 23, 2020 City Council meeting, Council requested that Davidson Mesa Open Space Trail Resurfacing CIP be advanced from 2022 to 2021. The project date was advanced due to Council's support of maintaining existing City assets and also due to the substantial increase in trail use over the past several years. The Davidson Mesa trail system is an aging system which was installed over two decades ago. While maintenance for safety issues occurs regularly, and some larger segments were resurfaced in 2009 and following flooding in 2013, system wide resurfacing has not occurred since initial installation. The trail system has also experienced significant increases in use as both a local and regional destination for outdoor recreation. Connectivity to the US 36 Bikeway has increased carbon free commuting, parking lot improvements have increased access for recreation and use of the Dog Off -leash Area, and, in 2020, a tripling in use has occurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trails have continuously ranked as a top priority in the Louisville Citizen Survey, supporting community goals of carbon free commuting and recreation opportunities. However, perhaps more importantly, the trails have been a much needed resource for citizens to reconnect with nature and improve their mental well-being during these challenging times. These goals of enhancing opportunities for commuting, outdoor recreation, and connecting with nature continue to be the foundation of the Open Space Division mission and one of the primary reasons that the community chooses to live and play in Louisville. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION 3