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Eagle Point Park Resource Enhancement and ProtectionCopyrighted November 6, 2017 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 6. ITEM TITLE: Eagle Point Park Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Grant Award SUMMARY: City Manager transmitting information about the City's receipt of a $200,000 Fiscal Year 2018 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for Phase 2 implementation of the Eagle Point Park Environmental Restoration Management Plan. SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File ATTACHMENTS: Description Type REAP Grant Award for Eagle Point Park -MVM Memo City Manager Memo Staff Memo Staff Memo Media Release Supporting Documentation REAP Grant Award funding since 1997 Supporting Documentation Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: REAP Grant Award for Eagle Point Park DATE: October 29, 2017 Dubuque itatbd ul•IVeHa City ''11i: 2007.2012 2013.2017 Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens is transmitting information about the City's receipt of a $200,000 Fiscal Year 2018 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for Phase 2 implementation of the Eagle Point Park Environmental Restoration Management Plan. ,p) Aafi.v.‘..... Michael C. Van Milligen' MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager THE CITY OF Dui Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager SUBJECT: REAP Grant Award for Eagle Point Park DATE: October 25, 2017 Dubuque Tfrill AII•Aaa:riaa City '111. 2007.2012 2013.2017 This memo transmits information for the November 6, 2017 City Council meeting regarding the FY18 Resource Enhancement and Protection grant award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for Phase 2 implementation of the Eagle Point Park Environmental Restoration Management Plan. Eagle Point Park has long been recognized for its unique scenic beauty as a community/regional park atop limestone bluffs on the Mississippi River. It is an area of natural quality for outdoor recreation. Nevertheless, over 100 years of recreational use and development have resulted in some environmental problems (erosion, invasive plants, reduced diversity) that need to be addressed to build a sustainable future for the Park. With implementation of the 2017 Environmental Restoration Management Plan, much more of Eagle Point Park's multipurpose recreational spaces and natural areas will be available for use and enjoyment by the public as the impacts of severe erosion, stormwater damage, loss of turf, and loss of native plants to invasive species are mitigated and reversed. These ecological improvements will provide short and long term public benefits by adding to the visitor experience and providing opportunities for outdoor education. Enclosed are the City's media release about the REAP grant award and the list of REAP grants awarded to the City of Dubuque since 1997. Enclosures cc Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager 1 THE CITY OF D11 Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque Lsetr.! AR- m ria Airy 11111' 2007.2012 2013-2017 CITY OF DUBUQUE CONTACTS: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager 563.589.4210, Icarsten( citvofdubuaue.ora Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager 563.589.4264, mware( citvofdubuaue.ora NEWS RELEASE Oct. 18, 2017 - For Immediate Release City Awarded Grant for Eagle Point Park Restoration DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has awarded the City of Dubuque a grant of $200,000 from Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP). The grant money will be used for Phase 2 Implementation of the Environmental Restoration Management Plan at Eagle Point Park, a 164 -acre community park that opened in 1909 on Dubuque's northeast side. Eagle Point Park is owned by the City of Dubuque and managed by the Leisure Services Department's Park Division. The park overlooks the Mississippi River, providing a spectacular view of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. This project is part of an ongoing environmental restoration effort for Eagle Point Park that contributes to Dubuque's mission of creating a sustainable future. It involves implementation of the Eagle Point Park Environmental Restoration Management Plan that was completed under a REAP grant awarded in 2015. Adopted by the City Council in 2017, the Management Plan addresses the park's recreational and natural spaces that suffer the effects of severe erosion, invasive vegetation, and degraded natural habitats on the rolling, rugged terrain. Some implementation of that plan will commence using funds from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund as well as funds from the previous REAP grant. All of this environmental work must be done within the context of the park's rich cultural history. Implementation will improve sustainability by restoring and enhancing native plant communities and soil quality to provide new nature -based recreation opportunities for visitors, create habitat for wildlife, and foster sustainability. Phase 2 will enhance 33 acres of existing forest/woodland areas, representing 20 percent of the 164 -acre regional park. REAP invests in projects that enhance and protect the Iowa's natural and cultural resources. Fifteen percent of REAP is set aside for grants to cities for projects that help establish natural areas, encourage outdoor recreation and resource management. In its 28 years, REAP has benefited every county in Iowa by supporting over 15,000 projects. REAP has funded these projects with $300 million in state investments, leveraging two to three times the amount in private, local, and federal dollars Collectively, these projects have improved the quality of life for all Iowans with better soil and water quality, added outdoor recreation opportunities, sustained economic development, enhanced knowledge and understanding of our ecological and environmental assets, and preservation of our cultural and historic treasures REAP has benefited the City of Dubuque greatly since 1997, with over $2 7 million from 14 REAP grants invested in building off-road trails throughout the community and expanding the E B Lyons Interpretive Area at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area A complete list of these 14 City REAP Grant Awards for park and recreation projects is available below or at http //citvofdubuaue ora/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6781 ### A 2 CITY OF DUBUQUE REAP GRANT FUNDING SINCE 1997 PROJECT YEAR AMOUNT Chaplain Schmitt Island - Heron Pond Wetlands Nature Trail 1997 $194,583 Mississippi Riverwalk Recreational Trail - Land Acquisiiton 2000 $200,000 Alliant Energy Powerline Trail 2002 $182,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 1 (U.S. 52 to JFK Rd.) 2005 $200,000 Eagle Point Park -Trolley Line Trail 2007 $200,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 2 (JFK Rd. to Plaza Dr.) 2008 $200,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 3 (Plaza Dr. to Holliday Dr.) 2009 $200,000 E. B. Lyons Intepretive Area Expansion - Land Acquisition 2011 $200,000 E. B. Lyons Intepretive Area Expansion - Development 2012 $200,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 4 (Holliday Dr. to Pennsylvania Ave.) 2013 $200,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 5 (Penn Ave. to Chavenelle Dr., historic bridge) 2014 $200,000 Eagle Point Park - Environmental Restoration (phase 1) 2015 $200,000 Valentine Park Expansion - Land Acquisition 2016 $140,790 Eagle Point Park - Environmental Restoration (phase 2) 2017 $200,000 TOTAL $2,717,373 CITY OF DUBUQUE REAP GRANT FUNDING SINCE 1997 PROJECT YEAR AMOUNT Chaplain Schmitt Island - Heron Pond Wetlands Nature Trail 1997 $194,583 Mississippi Riverwalk Recreational Trail - Land Acquisiiton 2000 $200,000 Alliant Energy Powerline Trail 2002 $182,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 1 (U.S. 52 to JFK Rd.) 2005 $200,000 Eagle Point Park -Trolley Line Trail 2007 $200,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 2 (JFK Rd. to Plaza Dr.) 2008 $200,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 3 (Plaza Dr. to Holliday Dr.) 2009 $200,000 E. B. Lyons Intepretive Area Expansion - Land Acquisition 2011 $200,000 E. B. Lyons Intepretive Area Expansion - Development 2012 $200,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 4 (Holliday Dr. to Pennsylvania Ave.) 2013 $200,000 Iowa 32 Trail - Phase 5 (Penn Ave. to Chavenelle Dr., historic bridge) 2014 $200,000 Eagle Point Park - Environmental Restoration (phase 1) 2015 $200,000 Valentine Park Expansion - Land Acquisition 2016 $140,790 Eagle Point Park - Environmental Restoration (phase 2) 2017 $200,000 TOTAL $2,717,373