GOCO’s 2015 School Play Yard Initiative Phase II – Grant Application for Construction Funds Congratulations on receiving design services through Phase I of GOCO’s 2015 School Play Yard Initiative. GOCO has hired a planning and design consultant team to guide your school through a youth and community driven planning and design process. The design consultant team consists of Chris Schooler MLA, a landscape architect with a strong background in playground design projects, Tony Mazzeo with Plot Project LLC, a Denver landscape architecture firm, and Mark T. Lang, a Construction Specialist with Wood Site Design in Evergreen. Phase II of the 2015 School Play Yard Initiative entails applying to GOCO for funds for construction of your play yard once planning and design is complete. GOCO is please to release this application for construction funds to the six schools awarded design services through Phase I. Each school is invited to compete for up to $684,000 in funds for construction, with individual grants for construction not to exceed $114,000. Schools may be awarded up to that $114,000 amount based on engaging youth and community in a robust planning process, and meeting the goals of emphasizing nature based play and learning. The design consultant team will be meeting with your school and guiding you through the process of designing your playground and outdoor learning space. At the end of the youth and community engagement process, the consultant team will provide you with a master plan that will assist you in completing this application for construction funds. The master plan will include the following: Site Analysis, Play Equipment Analysis, School Demographics and Populations, Community Context Plan, Student Design and Charrette Documentation, Site Plan Diagram, Educational Opportunities, Construction Budget, and Design Documentation. The documents provided by the consultant team will be schematic in nature and are for planning purposes only. Additional architectural/engineering drawings will need to be commissioned before construction starts including an engineered survey and a soils report. The consultant team will also help navigate you through the construction process if construction funds are awarded. The goal of providing the consultant team is to ease the burden of many of the professional design and planning tasks inherent to innovative and exciting play yard design, while helping to engage students and the community in a creative and meaningful process. Applications for construction funds are due on February 25, 2015. GOCO prefers to receive applications electronically at schools@goco.org. If unable to deliver them electronically, please deliver five copies of your application by hand or mail to: Great Outdoors Colorado, School Play Yard Initiative, 303 E. 17th Ave, Suite 1060, Denver, CO 80203. Please contact Joe Davidson at jdavidson@goco.org or 303.226.4512 for more information or with any questions. SCHOOL PLAY YARD GRANT APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION FUNDS MISSION: To help the people of Colorado preserve, protect, enhance, appreciate and enjoy our parks, wildlife, trails, rivers and open space through strategic grants, partnerships and leadership. Applications Issued: October 30, 2014 Applications Due at GOCO by: February 25, 2015 Board Decision (Awards)*: April 16, 2015 Please provide one (1) original application and five (5) additional copies of your application. Please do not bind your application or add dividers or tabs that will prevent GOCO from easily photocopying the application. This application consists of three sections: the first section contains instructions for filling out the various parts of the application and completing the attachments (budget, timeline, etc.); the second section is the application form itself; the third section contains samples of the required attachments. The final application you submit to GOCO will include: Completed and Signed Summary Form Resolution of Support from Governing Body Letter of Support from School and School District Intergovernmental Agreement between the Local Government and School/ School District Completed Timeline Form Completed Budget Form Responses to Selection Criteria Questions (with appropriate attachments such as maps, photos, support letters, etc) Section 1 - Instructions Your project must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for a grant. Eligibility Criteria 1. Eligible Applicants: Municipalities, counties, and parks and recreation special districts are the only entities eligible to apply for a Play Yard Grant. For this initiative, school districts must partner with a local government. (Please see “Local Government / School District Partnership” below and contact GOCO for more information.) 2. Grant Requests: The maximum grant request for a Play Yard project is $114,000. 3. Budget/Costs/Matching Requirements. GOCO will not fund more than 75% of the proposed project’s eligible costs up to $114,000. A minimum of 10% of the total project costs must be a cash match from the applicant and/or partners. Matching funds can come from the local government’s Conservation Trust Fund dollars, grants from other organizations, fundraisers, donations, etc. For more detailed information about the budget, eligible costs, and matching, see the Budget section below. 4. Project Type: Funding can be used to develop a new school play yard and/or to enhance or improve current school play yards. Projects can include natural playscapes, outdoor classrooms, learning gardens, walking paths, environmental education signage, shade, and age specific play equipment. All projects must be constructed on or adjacent to school grounds. Projects must include opportunities for outdoor education and recreation with an emphasis on natural components. The planning and design of all projects must involve the students. 5. Access: The proposed play yard must be open to the general public, daily, when school is not in session. The project budget must include funding for signage that informs the community of the days and hours the play yard is open to the public. 6. Timeline: If an applicant is awarded funds for construction, work on the proposed project may not begin until after the grant has been awarded (April 2015) and a contract is signed with GOCO. Grantees are allowed up to two years for construction. 7. Property Ownership: All property on which GOCO funded projects are located must be owned by or under control of the applicant for the useful life of the project. Considering these projects will be constructed on school grounds and therefore owned by the school/school district, an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the local government and the school district will be required if grant funding is awarded. Section 1 - Instructions Local Government / School Partnership School Play Yard projects must be proposed through a partnership between a local government and school district or school. Article XXVII of the Colorado Constitution establishes that the only entities eligible to receive grants through this initiative are municipalities, counties, and title 32 special park and recreation districts. Those eligible entities may sponsor projects on behalf of entities that are not eligible for GOCO funding; allowing schools the opportunity to construct projects on school grounds. For the purposes of this initiative, the local government will serve as the applicant, and the school will serve as the partner. If a grant is awarded, the local government – as GOCO’s grantee – will be responsible for grant administration. This means that they will sign the GOCO grant agreement, and will receive GOCO grant payments (to then be passed on to the school). To bind the school as a third party, to the terms and obligations set forth in GOCO’s Grant Agreement, the two parties must enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), Memo of Understanding, Special Use Agreement or other contract. That contract must be in place if a school is selected to compete for funds for construction. Please contact GOCO to get a sample IGA, which includes particular language GOCO needs to see in these contracts. Planning and Design Process The planning and design of all projects must include the students, school staff and administration and the community at large. Project design must be endorsed by the school facilities manager, the district facilities and risk department, or a comparable entity to ensure it meets all necessary safety and maintenance requirements. Your GOCO funded design consultant will coach you through the planning and design process. Budget Eligible and Ineligible Costs: The following table provides sample eligible and ineligible costs for these projects. These are examples only - not all eligible and ineligible costs are listed here. Please note that while the components listed under Eligible Costs can be included on your project budget, some of them do not compete well when they are the only component of your project. For example, a project that is largely for infrastructure will not compete in this process. ELIGIBLE COSTS (including but not limited to) INELIGIBLE COSTS (including but not limited to) Natural/wildzone playscapes Athletic fields/track and field facilities Age specific playgrounds, climbing structures and safety surfacing Athletic courts Pavilions Non-fixed assets (lawnmowers, snow blowers, etc) Outdoor classrooms Outdoor amphitheatres for performing arts Section 1 - Instructions ELIGIBLE COSTS (including but not limited to) INELIGIBLE COSTS (including but not limited to) Interpretive signs for environmental education Sculptures and artwork Shade structures Programmatic funding for recreational and/or environmental education purposes Walking paths Administrative costs (photo copies, mileage, food and drinks, grant writing, publications, etc) Educational gardens Operations and maintenance, deferred maintenance, staff time for operations and maintenance Informal recreation fields Work completed prior to grant award (except for design and engineering) Painting for games such as hop scotch and four square Applicant and partner staff time that would have otherwise been paid Amenities (basketball hoops, drinking fountains, benches, picnic tables, etc.) Infrastructure (Gateways, plaza/gathering areas, irrigation, etc) Matching Requirements: All matching resources must be eligible costs (e.g. administrative costs, such as staff time or mileage, cannot be paid for by GOCO, or used as a match). GOCO will not fund more than 75% of the proposed project’s eligible costs. In other words, of all the resources required to complete the proposed project, including the requested GOCO grant, a minimum of 25% must come from sources other than GOCO. Although total matching resources may be either cash or in-kind (see below for more information regarding in-kind match), a minimum of 10% of the total project costs must be a cash match from the applicant and/or partners. In-Kind: In-kind contributions may include donated quantifiable professional services, materials and supplies, equipment, etc. Any cost that would be eligible for GOCO funding but that is donated or discounted can count as an in-kind contribution. To count as eligible inkind, the applicant would have reasonably been expected to otherwise pay the provider for the goods or services. Examples of eligible in-kind contributions include a discounted rate from a contractor (for example, if the contractor typically charges $100 per hour but charges you only $90 per hour, the $10 per hour difference is an in-kind contribution); and donation of professional services such as site prep or playground installation. Volunteer time or non-quantifiable, non-professional time may not be used as an in-kind contribution, but may be included as part of the Selection Criteria under question #8. Budget Form: Complete and submit the Budget Form, using the Sample Budget as a guide. Be sure to double check that the calculations presented in the budget are accurate and mirror the Section 1 - Instructions figures presented in the narrative. Make sure that the total Sources of Funds matches the total Use of Funds. Here are some tips for completing the budget form: Source of Funds: Cash: List each funding source on separate rows within the Excel sheet. Indicate the individual contribution amounts, either under the applicant column or the partner column, whichever applies. Be sure to include the GOCO grant request under the appropriate column. Remember, the local government is considered the applicant and the school is considered a partner. In-kind: List each in-kind contributor on separate rows within the Excel sheet. Indicate the in-kind contribution amount under the appropriate column (applicant or partner). Use of Funds: Cash: Organize your project into budget categories. The number and types of categories will vary from project to project and do not have to mirror those categories represented on the Sample Budget. Once the budget categories have been determined, provide a breakdown of each category by detailing the work required and the vendor or service provider associated with that work. When applicable, each line item should include the number of units for purchase, and the cost per unit. Estimated values of services, materials and equipment may be derived from pay scales, standard prices, standard rental rates, etc. Applicants may be asked to provide additional information to support the valuation listed. In-kind: Documentation from in-kind providers stating the value/cost of their service/equipment/materials through letters, invoices, etc. is recommended. Need help? We know that budgeting, determining eligible/ineligible costs, determining and documenting in-kind, and customizing Excel spreadsheets can get a bit complicated. We’re here to help, so if you have any questions about GOCO’s budget policies, requirements, or the budget form, please contact Joe Davidson. If you are awarded a grant. Once a grant is awarded, the grant amount cannot be increased, so any increases in the project cost must be covered with matching funds. If the cost of the project goes down, or if the project scope is reduced, the grant may be reduced proportionately. Timeline The purpose of the Timeline is to encourage you to think about the various components of your project, the activities required to complete them, and how to fit all of them into the two-year deadline. GOCO staff and outside peer reviewers will analyze your proposed timeline to ensure 7 Section 1 - Instructions it includes the various tasks that our experience tells us should be part of your project and to see if it’s reasonable given the scope of the project and the time allotted to complete it. Complete the Timeline Form using the Sample Timeline as a guide. Remember that the project is to be completed within two years of the award date. The tasks included in the Sample Timeline are common park development tasks; your project may or may not include all of them, and will likely include others not listed there. GOCO encourages applicants to allow adequate time to complete the proposed project, so please be realistic about how long you think each task will take. If you are awarded a grant. Please keep in mind that extensions must be requested in writing and approved in advance by GOCO. Projects not completed by the deadline are subject to GOCO’s Overdue Grants Policy (available at www.goco.org) and may be deauthorized. Resolution from Governing Body GOCO requires a signed resolution from the applicant’s governing body (e.g., city/town council, county commission, special district board of directors) to ensure that the applicant’s ultimate decision-makers are aware of and support the application and recognize the financial and other obligations the grant creates. Use the Sample Resolution in Section 3 as a guide. Need help? If you need to modify the language of the resolution and aren’t sure it will meet GOCO’s needs, please feel free to contact Joe Davidson for assistance. Letter of Support from School and School District GOCO requires a letter of support from the partnering school and school district to demonstrate support for the project and solidify their partnership with the local government. The letter must be co-signed by the district superintendent and the school principal. A similar letter was submitted with your application for design services. If that letter covers the items below, please feel free to simply insert a copy of that letter with this application packet. Confirm support for the project and the application to GOCO. Confirm district ownership of the project site for the useful life of the project Confirm that the play yard will be open to the general public, daily, when school is not in session. Recognize the need to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the local government to bind the school to the terms and obligations of any grant awarded. Recognize the need to provide matching funds for project completion. Confirm that the school’s facilities and risk department or comparable representative has reviewed the project to ensure it meets all safety requirements. Recognize the need to maintain the project in a high quality condition for its useful life. Section 2 – Application – Summary Form ABOUT THE APPLICANT/ LOCAL GOVERNMENT Name of Local Government: Mailing Address: Applicant Contact Name: Telephone: Title: Are you the primary contact for this grant: YES NO Email: ABOUT THE PARTNER / SCHOOL Name of School: Mailing Address: Partner Contact Name: Telephone: Title: Email: Are you the primary contact for this grant: YES NO ABOUT THE PROJECT Project Title: Grant Request (not to exceed $114,000): Total Project Cost: Percent of overall match (% of total project cost): Percent of cash match (% of total project cost): County of Service: City (location of project, including cross streets): Brief Project Description (In 250 words or less, answer the questions below): What is the proposed project, including all components? Why is the project needed? How will it improve the outdoor experience for students and the community? Section 2 – Application – Summary Form APPLICATION CHECKLIST Verify that this application contains all of the following required documents: Signed Resolution from Governing Body Signed Letter of Support from School and School District Intergovernmental/MOU/Joint Use Agreement Preliminary Timeline Estimate Budget Form Response to Selection Criteria Questions (a narrative provided on your own paper) Attachments to Selection Criteria: Map(s) identifying the project location (Using Google Earth or Google Maps) Site map Photos of existing amenities to be replaced, if applicable Letters of support Letter from school facilities manager Authorized Local Government Signature: _______________________________________ Date:__________________________ Printed Name and Title: ________________________________________________________________________________________ By signing below, the School District certifies that it owns, leases, or otherwise has control over the property on which this project will be completed (collectively, “Control”) and will do so for the next 25 years. School District has on file documentation evidencing its Control of the property and will provide such documentation to GOCO on request. Authorized School Signature: ____________________________________Date:________________________________________ Printed Name and Title:________________________________________________________________________________________ Section 2 – Application – Selection Criteria All applicants must respond to the following selection criteria questions in up to seven pages. This application will be scored on a 100 point basis with each question below worth ten points. The seven page limit does not include attachments, photographs, maps, letters, etc. Each project will be reviewed by outside reviewers and GOCO staff, and projects will be ranked according to reviewer and staff scores. In a separate document, please answer every question and start by paraphrasing the question that you are answering. Please reference all attachments. 1. Describe the school the project will serve. Where in the state is it located? Include school enrollment numbers, and the percent of students that qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. What is unique about the student body? Also, describe the greater community/neighborhood the project will serve. Include population and income data. Summarize existing recreational amenities available to the community. What role does the school play in providing recreational opportunities for the community/neighborhood? 2. Describe how users will travel to and access the school play yard from their homes. Discuss non-motorized access via trails and/or sidewalks and describe associated crosswalks. What is the distance between the school and the neighborhoods/communities it will serve? Are there obstacles to getting to the project site; if so, how do you intend to overcome them? (Provide a map detailing where the project is located and what surrounds it. Also provide a site map.) 3. Describe the scope of the project – what exactly will be built. Be specific, explaining preparatory work, quantities, materials, etc. for each individual project component. If the project is intended to enhance or replace existing facilities, describe the state of the existing facilities including their age, why the facilities are no longer acceptable or usable, and how they got into the condition they’re in. Include photographs of amenities to be replaced or improved. 4. How will this project improve recreation and opportunities for environmental education for the school and the greater community? Describe the various opportunities the students will have to benefit from the play yard. Include information on how it may impact PE and other curriculum, outdoor learning, after school programming, summer camps, etc. Also, describe the recreational and learning opportunities the play yard will create for the greater community such as families, youth groups, child care centers, home school programs, etc. What percent of the greater community described in question one will this project benefit? How are users compensating now for the lack of the project? 5. Describe how the students participated in the planning and design of the project. Provide specifics on the opportunities provided to engage the students. If meetings were held, provide the number of meetings, how many attended each meeting, and who the attendees were. Also provide a description of the activities conducted at each meeting. If a survey was conducted, how many students were surveyed, and how many surveys were Section 2 – Application – Selection Criteria returned. Provide one copy of a blank survey. Describe how student participation and insight led to the prioritization of the specific components presented in this project. Describe any opportunities the students will have to participate in the actual construction of the project. 6. Describe how the greater community/neighborhood contributed to project planning and design. Provide specifics on the opportunities provided to engage the community. If meetings were held, provide the number of meetings, how they were advertized, how many attended, who the attendees were and a description of the activities conducted at each meeting. If a survey was conducted, who was surveyed, how many were distributed and how many were returned? Provide one copy of a blank survey. Describe how input from the community/ neighborhood contributed to the prioritization of the components presented in this project. 7. Describe how your school will maintain student and community engagement in your school play yard project beyond the project completion date. What curriculum connections do you anticipate bringing students outdoors, during the school day, that could become fixtures of your classes yearly routines? (Please include grades and subject areas.) Are there any groups that will engage families and community members in volunteer gardening and maintenance tasks, or educational opportunities on the site? 8. Include up to ten support letters/emails from individuals and/or groups who are in support of this project but are not providing cash or in-kind services such as students, members of the community, volunteers, etc. The letters should demonstrate the need, demand and urgency for the project. Support letters/emails must be included with the application and will not be accepted if mailed to the GOCO office. Also, please describe any opposition to the project and what has been done to address the concerns of the opposing. 9. What is compelling about your school and community’s need for GOCO funds? Will the project (or components of it) get done if GOCO funds are not available? What percentage of your planned cash match is secured? How much of it is yet to be raised and what are your plans for raising those additional funds? What is your “Plan B” if you are unable to raise those funds? Describe the fundraising efforts associated with this project and the cash and/or in kind partnerships established. Will applicant or partner funds dedicated to the project be lost if GOCO doesn’t award a grant now? 10. Estimate the annual costs to maintain the project. How did you derive those numbers; how do you intend to fund maintenance; and who is responsible for maintenance? Attach a letter from the school facilities manager endorsing the construction of the project and its maintenance. Section 3 – Sample Documents – Sample Resolution Supporting the Grant Application for a School Play Yard Grant from the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund and the completion of (Name of Project). WHEREAS, the (Name of Local Government) supports the Great Outdoors Colorado grant application for the (Name of Project). And if the grant is awarded, the (Name of Local Government) supports the completion of the project. WHEREAS, the (Name of Local Government) has partnered with the (Name of School) to request (Amount of Grant) from Great Outdoors Colorado to (Indicate Nature of Project). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE (Governing Body of Local Government) OF THE (Name of Local Government) THAT: Section 1: The (Governing Body of Local Government) of the (Name of Local Government) strongly supports the application to Great Outdoors Colorado. Section 2: If the grant is awarded, the (Governing Body of Local Government) of the (Name of Local Government) strongly supports the completion of the project. Section 3: The (Governing Body of Local Government) of the (Name of Local Government) has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with (Name of School) to confirm the funding necessary to meet the terms and obligations of any Grant awarded. Section 4: The (The Governing Body of Local Government) of the (Name of Local Government) has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with (Name of School District) to ensure the maintenance of the (Project Title) project in a high quality condition for its useful life. As stated in the Intergovernmental Agreement, the (Name of Local Government and/or Name of School District) will appropriate funds for maintenance in its annual budget. Section 6: If the grant is awarded, the (Governing Body of Local Government) hereby authorizes the (Designated Official) to sign the grant agreement with Great Outdoors Colorado. Section 7: Resolution to be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval PASSED AND APPROVED ON: _______________________________ APPROVED BY: Name Title Section 3 – Sample Documents – Sample Budget Project Budget Source of Funds Date Secured GOCO Grant Applicant Request Match ($) Partner Match ($) Total Funding ($) CASH Great Outdoors Colorado 13-Jun Town of Protovin Jan-12 $100,000.00 Little Kiddo School District Feb-13 49,500.00 $49,500.00 Generous Foundation Feb-13 19,000.00 $19,000.00 Little Kiddo School District Enginners Plus, Inc. Feb-12 $100,000.00 $30,000.00 30,000.00 IN-KIND $100,000.00 $30,000.00 TOTAL SOURCE OF FUNDS CASH Use of Funds Number of Cost Per Applicant Units Unit GOCO Funds Funds 250.00 $250.00 250.00 $250.00 $69,000.00 $199,000.00 Partner Funds Total Funding ($) Engineering Enginners Plus, Inc. Civil Engineer TBD 1.00 5,000.00 1.00 10,000.00 Demolition, site preparation, grading Gravel and Concrete (sidewalk, walkway, pavilion floor) Concrete Flatwork (sidewalk, walkway pavilion, court) 1.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 10,250.00 24.75 25.00 10,000.00 Recreation Field Pour in place surface 1,000.00 110.00 50.00 100.00 50,000.00 Terrace Twister 1.00 26,000.00 Bouldering Structure 1.00 15,000.00 Swing sets (3 Bay, 6 swings, 10' height) 1.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 $2,000.00 $1,000.00 $10,000.00 Architect/Construction Documents Grading & Drainage 2,500.00 2,500.00 10,000.00 $5,000.00 $10,000.00 Perimeter Trail / Walkway Engineering Made Easy Engineering Made Easy Walkways Unlimited $10,000.00 250.00 24,500.00 25,000.00 $24,750.00 $25,000.00 Surfacing Field Company Surfaces n' Such $50,000.00 11,000.00 $11,000.00 Play structures Gametime Play Company Swing High, Inc. Goals n' More, Inc. 26,000.00 15,000.00 $26,000.00 $15,000.00 Basketball goal (Backboard, post and rim) 1.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 Shade structure 1.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 Taylor Fence Chainlink Fence with gates 1.00 5,250.00 750.00 Signage The Sign Guys Entry Sign with hours available for public access 1.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 $2,500.00 2.00 500.00 $100,000.00 $30,000.00 $68,500.00 $198,500.00 Structures Shade Company, Inc. Perimeter Fencing 4,500.00 $5,250.00 Benches Riding the Bench, Inc. Benches USE OF FUNDS - CASH SUBTOTAL IN-KIND Use of Funds No. of Units / Hours 1,000.00 Cost Per Unit / Applicant Hour GOCO Funds Funds Partner Funds $1,000.00 Total Funding ($) Professional Services Enginners Plus, Inc. Architectural Design/Construction Documents 250.00 $250.00 250.00 $250.00 $500.00 $0 $500.00 $0 Equipment Little Kiddo School Dist. Tractor w/bucket 16.00 $40.00 USE OF FUNDS - IN-KIND SUBTOTAL Contingency $0.00 $0 TOTAL PROJECT COST $100,000.00 $30,000.00 CALCULATION OF MATCH REQUIREMENTS Item Explanation M inimum M atch 30%/Total Costs Requirement Actual $59,700 $99,000 Meets Requirement? Yes M inimum Cash M atch 10%/Total Costs $19,900 $98,500 Yes $69,000.00 $199,000.00 Section 3 – Sample Documents – Sample Timeline TASK Grant Notification Governing Body Approval Write Bid for Project Solicit Bids for Project Award Bid for Project Order Playground Equipment Order Benches Site Preparation Install Playground and Benches and Lay Sod Install Walking Trail Install Pavilion Install Signage Grand Opening Final Report to GOCO Apr ‘15 May ‘15 Jun ‘15 Sep ‘15 Oct ‘15 NOV ‘15 Jan ‘16 Feb ‘16 Mar ‘16 Apr ‘16 MAY ‘16 JUN ‘16 Jul ‘16 Aug ‘16 Sept ‘16 OCT ‘16 NOV ‘16