Discussion:
At its Sept. 7, 2021 meeting, Council approved applying for a 2021 Metro Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant for the Memorial Park Conversion Project. The city submitted an application but was not awarded the grant. However, the city was highly encouraged by the CPL grant review committee, who provided feedback to strengthen the application, to apply for the next Metro CPL Grant round. Prior to submitting to this current grant round, the city will obtain the specified information asked from the review committee.
The CPL Grant funds conservation projects that restore, enhance, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies and habitat for fish, game and wildlife in Minnesota. The City of Shakopee is applying for a DNR CPL Metro Grant to restore parts of Memorial Park to its native prairie land and stabilize the riverfront to protect the vegetation. This funding aligns with the city's Master Parks, Trail and Recreation Plan which was approved in 2019.
At the time of the first application, the estimated cost of this project was $220,000. The city has requested an updated estimate from Confluence for this application.