Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Bertha Henry
Department: County Administration Division: Parks & Recreation
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Notice of Limitation of Use/Site Dedication over parcels containing the Long Key South Trail as required by the existing Grant Agreement between Broward County (“County”) and the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) Recreational Trails Program for $117,190 in grant funding for the development of Long Key South Trail, Project Number T17005 Non-motorized Diverse Use Trail, at Long Key Nature Center; and authorize the Mayor to execute same. (Commission District 5)
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Why Action is Necessary
All agreements with external agencies are subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”).
What Action Accomplishes
Motion establishes the Limitation of Use/Site Dedication required by the existing agreement, which was approved by the Board at its January 9, 2018, Regular Meeting (Item 24), for the County accepting grant funding from the DEP for the construction of a trail at Long Key Nature Center.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
REAL PROPERTY AND PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s value of encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection, and the associated goal to educate the public about the fragile South Florida ecosystems, impacts of severe weather, sea level rise, and climate change. This item also supports the Board’s value of cultivating community culture, arts, recreation and life-long learning, and the associated goals to provide diverse artistic, cultural, educational, and historical amenities and programs that contribute to a vibrant, multi-cultural and economically viable community and, in coordination with our community partners, market and deliver world-class recreational opportunities.
The construction of Long Key South Trail, funded in part through this DEP grant and completed in June 2021, is an important addition at Long Key Nature Center, serving to engage and educate park users about the fragile South Florida environment. The trail, which includes interpretive educational signage, provides visitors with expanded access to the hardwood hammock and future wetland ecosystem of the south portion of this natural area. Visitors will enjoy recreational usage of an otherwise inaccessible portion of Long Key’s ecosystem, including a wetland restoration project, with the development of the 2940-foot trail.
The Recreational Trails Program (“RTP”) is a federally funded competitive grant program administered by DEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails within the State of Florida that provides financial assistance to city, county, state and federal governments, and other organizations for the development of recreational trails, trailheads, and trailside facilities. Broward County was selected to receive a grant for $117,190 for the development of a trail and related amenities at Long Key Nature Center. The Long Key South Trail Project constructed 1830 feet of ADA trail connecting from the existing paved interpretive trail in the oak hammock south of the nature center, through the former Pioneer City amusement park (circa 1966) train station pad and into the planned peninsula of a scheduled wetland restoration project in the southeast section of the natural area. Also, an 1110-foot mulch trail was created that follows the pathway of the former Pioneer City train. The project included restoring the train station pad, construction of a new shelter, and three interpretive signs.
The trail construction is complete and the Notice of Limitation of Use/Site Dedication (Site Dedication) over parcels containing the Long Key South Trail is required by the existing Grant Agreement between the County and DEP. The Site Dedication commits the land to be dedicated for 99 years as an outdoor recreational site for the use and benefit of the general public. This dedication is compatible with the County Charter and Deed of Restrictive Covenant, protecting the land at Long Key Nature Center to be used only for park purposes.
The Site Dedication has been approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
Source of Additional Information
Dan West, Director, Parks and Recreation Division, 954-357-8106
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The construction of the trail and associated amenities had a total cost of $249,016. The RTP grant reimbursed the County $117,190, and the balance was funded through the Grants Reserve Fund and in-kind service.