The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication (M&C) is to authorize the acceptance of a monetary donation in the amount of $86,768.00, from North Texas Healthy Communities and Blue Zones Project/Sharecare for the purchase and installation of playground and fitness equipment at Bunche Park. North Texas Healthy Communities, a non-profit organization that is part of Texas Health Resources, in partnership with CBS EcoMedia and Blue Zones Project Fort Worth, wishes to make a donation of $86,768.00 to the City of Fort Worth for the purchase and installation of playground and fitness equipment in Bunche Park. Through a collaborative effort, North Texas Healthy Communities and Blue Zones Project Fort Worth (Blue Zones) received grant funding from CBS EcoMedia to support the redevelopment of Bunche Park.
The Blue Zones Project is a community well-being improvement initiative designed to change the way people experience the world around them by impacting environmental policy and social networks. Blue Zones projects make healthy choices easier and as a result, people can live longer; and communities can lower healthcare costs, improve productivity, and boost national recognition as a great place to live, work, and play.
As part of the Blue Zone initiative project for Fort Worth, walking and design charrettes were held for City Council District 5 in 2016. Additionally, Blue Zones facilitated needs assessment studies for the future development of Bunche Park. North Texas Healthy Communities along with Blue Zones Project/Sharecare received a donation from EcoMedia CBS to fund improvements for Bunche Park, in the amount of $86,768.00. The donation was provided to Fort Worth to support the tenets of the Blue Zones Project of moving naturally, encouraging social connection and putting families first. This equipment in a redeveloped Bunche Park will provide children and adult residents of Stop Six a means and place to improve their health and well-being, fulfilling the missions of North Texas Healthy Communities and Blue Zones.
The equipment to be provided for installation is a specially designed set of low-medium-high degree exercise units. The equipment addresses the physical, cognitive, and socialization exercises needed to perform everyday life activities for children and seniors. The equipment also meets City of Fort Worth playground equipment standards. On November 15, 2017, the Park & Recreation Advisory Board endorsed Staff's recommendation to the City Council to authorize the City Manager to accept a donation from North Texas Healthy Communities and Blue Zones Project/Sharecare to install playground equipment at Bunche Park.
Installation of the playground is scheduled to be completed in August 2018.
Bunche Park is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 5. This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. |
