The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to authorize the acceptance of $25,000.00 from the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, Inc. (Friends), as matching funds for repairs to the Cross Timbers Trail at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge (FWNC&R) and adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Special Donations Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $25,000.00, subject to receipt from the Friends.
The Friends is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization formed in 1974 to support the operation of the FWNC&R through financial and in-kind contributions. In 2013, the Friends received a $25,000.00 grant from Wells Fargo (administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)) to be used for funding of repairs to the Cross Timbers Levee at the FWNC&R. As a reimbursement grant, funds could not be issued to the Friends from the NFWF until sufficient expenditures had been incurred. Although this project has experienced delays due to flooding during the past two years, planning has progressed sufficiently to reach that threshold.
Repairs to the Cross Timbers Trail, which has been closed to the public for over two years, will allow visitors access to over 1,000 acres of prime parkland, including the Ancient Cross Timbers Forest which was recognized in 1980 by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a National Natural Landmark. In addition to the funding previously mentioned, the 2014 Bond Program Proposition No. 2 allocated $350,000.00 for this project. The Friends have earmarked an additional $50,000.00 from gate fees net revenue with plans to raise more.
The Park and Recreation Advisory Board endorsed acceptance of these funds on April 23, 2014 and reaffirmed its endorsement on June 22, 2016.
The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 and serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS. This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. |
