Spencer denied REAP grant for Deerfield Park

The fourth time wasn't a charm for Spencer Park Board members, who were notified this week that Spencer was not awarded a $125,000 Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP) grant for proposed developments in Deerfield Park. The information stung a bit because the town's grant application placed just below the Iowa projects which were approved.

"We came in No. 11. Close, but no cigar," Delray Bredehoeft, the Spencer Parks and Recreation Department director, told board members during their Tuesday evening meeting. "Part of (its not being funded was because) it's a neighborhood park, and REAP really wants to tie into a more regional approach. So, we did do better this time, but not enough to get the money, I guess."

"We have, actually, been very successful with REAP in those areas that either were natural areas or were trails that were on the fringe area of the city. But, as we attempt to move into the town, the sad part is, that's where we need some development done," he added. "Every two years they have regional REAP meetings around the state, and one of the things that I did bring up last week in Spencer ... was we need to figure out a way to maybe score these urban parks differently than what we do the natural parks, so we can be competitive (in the REAP grant process). I'm not saying that will happen overnight, but maybe we can move in that direction."

What's next for Deerfield Park?

If all goes as planned for, the northwest Spencer neighborhood park will eventually feature attractions such as open green spaces, a trail system, a shelter house, rain gardens, a small basketball court, art pieces and a children's playground. But, with no money yet budgeted for improvements tentatively approved during the park's master planning process, plans are to do some spot grading, some berm work and some dormant interseeding within the five-acre park this fall. A grant application for a community tree planting to occur within the park next spring will also be submitted to Trees Forever within the next two weeks.

"I believe that's all we can really do with the money we have sitting on the table right now," Bredehoeft reported. " ... We don't have any budgeted money at this point, and with the coming year it's probably not going to receive any local funding to do anything."

The park, which was established approximately four years ago, was seeded a year ago this last spring. Bredehoeft said tentative plans also include fertilizing the area this upcoming spring.

Board approves project for next REAP grant application

Even with the bad news delivered to them Tuesday, Spencer Park Board members quickly changed their focus toward the future -- and the August 2010 grant application they plan to submit for the final leg of the Little Sioux River trail in Spencer.

"We acquired the land back in about 2003, with the idea that we would construct a trail from West Leach Park over to Thunder Bridge Road. We've since picked up two Tea-21 grants -- one for the bridge, which will be right at the end of the West Leach trail that's currently in place, and one for the trail which will go from the north side of the Ocheyedan River over to Thunder Bridge," Bredehoeft explained of what is currently in place for this proposed project.

By rolling these two federal grants together into one contract, Bredehoeft said administrative costs will be reduced.

"We don't feel we have enough money in place at this point in time to fund that fully, though," he continued, "so we're still looking at other alternatives. One of those is REAP. We will probably apply for another $125,000 (grant) that would go toward development of the Little Sioux River trail. Also, we'll be looking to hopefully bring some Great Places funding into that project. ... What we're really trying to do is bring in grants. We're trying to keep it so we don't have to use as much local money to fund the project."

Design work for the bridge and trail projects associated with the Little Sioux River project, meanwhile, is expected to start next year, with construction of both hoped for in 2011.

About $4.3 million in grants were awarded to 30 communities and eight county conservation boards in the most recent round of REAP funding. The competitive grant program had 76 applicants asking for $10.2 million, more than two times the amount available.

Grants awarded to Iowa towns with populations of less than 2,000 included: Ackley, Arnolds Park, Minburn, Dawson, Dallas Center, Jamaica, Preston, Monona, Montezuma, Wellman, Granger and Epworth.

Medium-sized cities, with populations up to 25,000, that received REAP grants included: Madrid, Clive, Coralville, Atlantic, Decorah, Fairfield, Ottumwa, Story City, Perry and Waverly.

Large cities with populations over 25,000 awarded grants this week included: Cedar Falls, Burlington, Dubuque, Marshalltown, Des Moines, Bettendorf, Ankeny and Sioux City.

In addition, the Jones, Butler, Hardin, Tama, Buchanan, Winneshiek, Madison and Dallas County Conservation Boards were also awarded REAP grants.