SUBJECT
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Resolution authorizing the City Manager to ratify the submission of a grant application in the amount of $66,321.00 to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), under the 2027 Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) grant program for the Wild at Heart: Adaptive Lake Adventures, which will provide children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to experience outdoor recreation, adventure, social connection, and overnight camping. This notice of funding opportunity is on a reimbursement basis and does not require matching funds.
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VIVA LAREDO PLAN ALIGNMENT
Alignment Rating: Strong - Directly supports or fulfills clearly stated goals and policies of the Viva Laredo Comprehensive Plan.
Supporting goal(s)/policy(ies):
Goal 7.6 - Expand access to parks, open space, and recreational opportunities
Relevance: Wild at Heart: Adaptive Lake Adventures directly advances this goal by creating recreational opportunities specifically designed for children and adults with disabilities. The Plan’s express inclusion of residents of “all ages and abilities” is particularly applicable to an adaptive recreation program. The same goal and language have been cited by the City in its Viva Laredo alignment review of other TPWD-supported recreation initiatives.
Policy 8.1.4 - Recreational facilities for diverse ages, interest, and abilities
Relevance: The proposed program is specifically structured to accommodate participants with disabilities through adaptive outdoor experiences. Its combination of lake recreation, adventure activities, social interaction, and camping broadens the range of recreational opportunities available to residents with differing abilities. This policy language is documented in the City’s Viva Laredo alignment materials for recreation projects.
Policy 8.2.1 - Equitable access to recreation
Relevance: Although this policy focuses geographically on underserved areas, its underlying equity objective is relevant to the proposed program. Adaptive Lake Adventures addresses an access barrier based on ability by intentionally extending outdoor recreational programming to residents with disabilities who may otherwise have fewer opportunities to participate in conventional outdoor recreation.
Summary of alignment:
The proposed Wild at Heart: Adaptive Lake Adventures grant demonstrates STRONG ALIGNMENT with the Viva Laredo Comprehensive Plan. Most directly, Goal 7.6 calls for recreational opportunities that promote health and quality of life for residents of “all ages and abilities”. The proposed program operationalizes that objective by intentionally providing children and adults with disabilities access to outdoor recreation, adventure, camping, and social experiences.
The initiative also advances broader comprehensive Plan themes of public health, equity, inclusion, quality of life, and access to recreation. Its adaptive focus reduces barriers to participation for residents with disabilities, while the social and overnight components expand recreation beyond physical activity to include community connection and outdoor experiences.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
No previous council actions.
BACKGROUND
The TPWD Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) grant provides funding to tax-exempt organizations for programming that engages underserved communities in outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental education activities in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife sites, programs, and staff. This program builds relationships with Texans who have been underrepresented in Texas Parks & Wildlife Department activities and programs. Grant funds requested for projects range between $5,000 - $100,000.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the authorization to apply.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: 2026-2027
Budgeted Y/N?: N/A
Source of Funds: N/A
Account #: N/A
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact at this time