Kids in Parks TRACK Trail Network Expansion Project
Grant Application
This application should be submitted to Michelle Wells at the NC Recreation & Park Association by 5pm on April 19, 2012. Please type your information in the form below and send as a word document to . You will receive confirmation of your application being received within 24 hours.
Location/Agency
County: Catawba
Park & Recreation Agency Name: City of Claremont
Park Information:
Name of Park where TRACK Trail will be: Francis Sigman Park
Street Address of Park: Kessler Dairy Road
City: Claremont State: NC Zip: 28610
Park Director’s Name: Doug Barrick
Phone (include area code): 828-459-7009
Email:
This location is owned and managed by our local park and recreation agency? Yes or No
TRACK Trail Manager who is responsible for reporting to KIP
Name: Henry H. Helton, Jr.
Agency (if applicable): City of Claremont
Phone (include area code): 828-459-9016
Email:
Information of Person filling out this Form:
Name: Henry H. Helton, Jr.
Agency (if applicable): City of Claremont
Phone (include area code): 828-459-9016
Email:
Narrative:
For questions with character limits, MS Word can provide you this information by using the “Word Count” function located under the “Review” tab.
Provide a brief narrative about your Park/Site in detail (i.e. size, amenities, sport fields, playgrounds, pet area, etc…):
250 words or less:
27.42 acres. two Little League baseball fields, a football/soccer field, The City of Claremont has just taken over the management of the facility. Plans are underway to construct restrooms, adult softball field and walking/jogging trail.
Describe the trail you wish to become a TRACK Trail in detail. (Length, difficulty, trail condition, trail surface, trail amenities, trail uses, etc…)
250 words or less:
There are two areas to develop. They join each other. One is 2,545 feet in length; the other is 2,283 feet in length. There is enough land available that we can expand the 2,283 area another 452 feet to make a complete one mile length trail. Our Parks and Recreation Committee would like to develop both of these into a cross country trail for the local high schools to use. The YMCA has stated an interest in having 5 K and 10 K events. In developing a walking trail, we have already had the citizens in the area state that they would like to use it for their fitness program.
Describe the type of experience your visitors will have on the TRACK Trail at your site. (What will they see or hear? What will they be able to do? Etc…)
250 words or less:
The east side of the trail follows a creek that is very relaxing as you walk by. There is a low area where a bridge will need to be constructed, and we plan to have that as a Eagle Scout project. We already have one at our other park. The trail is away from the main road so that walkers will be able to experience nature with the birds and perhaps some small animals may cross the paths.
How do you plan to ensure your TRACK Trail will have a long and vibrant role in the community?
250 words or less:
The park has been in use since 1994. Now that the City has taken over, the park has been placed in the supervision of the Parks and Recreation Committee who reports to the City Council each month. The City Council has given the committee instructions to make sure the facility is used to the fullest. The council wants other agencies to use the facility. The City Manager is strongly supporting this development.
Describe how the TRACK Trail will be incorporated into your existing interpretive / educational programming.
250 words or less:
The Parks and Recreation Committee will be developing a brochure in the next year to show off all three parks. Schools and youth agencies will be invited to experience the facility. The committee is busy developing more facilities and bringing the park up to a grade A status.
Does the trail have any other designation?Or, any other partners associated with it?
200 words or less:
The Claremont Optimist Club is the agency that provides youth sports for the City of Claremont. Any other use of the park will be approved by the Parks and Recreation committee and the City Manager. If there is a long term use required, the City Council will have to approve the arrangement after it has been approved by the Parks and Recreation Committee. The one big goal is to get the two high schools in the Claremont area to use the facility for their cross county runs. The Parks and Recreation Committee has stated that they will host an event to kick off the season and to introduce the facility to the larger community.
Please tell us about the population this TRACK Trail will serve. Will this TRACK Trail target one or more of the potentially underserved/at-risk-populations?
250 words or less:
The park is at the edge of Claremont and the City of Conover. Just south of the facility is the Balls Creek and Sherrills Ford area. The total population surrounding the park is around 6,000. The facility sits at the edge of the Claremont Industral Park which will attract another large population. Most of these people live in other areas which will bring more people to the park for special events.
Briefly describe the “typical” visitor to your park?
200 words or less:
Most of the visitors will be blue collar workers. There will be a small number of white collar workers using the facility. Plans are in the developing stages to involve top management to see how their employees could use this facillity for compamy outings as well as the leisure time activities. Churches have stated the need for an adult softball field to expand their church league.
How much visitation does your park receive annually?
200 words or less:
With the only use being youth sports at this time the visitation is small. We would estimate that only about 1,000 to 1,500 individuals visit the park. With the development of more facilities that are now underway, this number will grow.
Community Partners: List community partners and the role they will play in supporting the TRACK Trail. (Partners may be contacted)
Name of Agency/Group: Shuford YMCA
Contact Person: Paxton Tallent
Address: 1104 Conover Blvd
City: Conover State: NC Zip: 28613
Email: Phone: 828-464-6130
Describe your Partnership:The City and the YMCA partner in the Kids Marathon where we bring in 12 elementary schools for a number of 600 to 700 students. The YMCA would like to expand their youth soccer program at the Francis Sigman Park. Also, they have an adult flag football program that has to work around the youth soccer program, by bringing the adults to the Francis Sigman Park, that would give both programs room to expand.
Name of Agency/Group:
Bandys High School
Contact Person: Alan Sigmon
Address: 5040 E. Bandys Road
City: Catawba State: NC Zip: 28609
Email: Phone: 828-241-3171
Describe your Partnership:We invite students at Bandys High School to serve on the City Youth Council, and we have the ROTC participate in our Christmas Parade. Their Drill team puts on a demonstration. Coach Sigmon has assisted the city in a 5 K and 10 K run.
Name of Agency/Group: Bunker Hill High School
Contact Person: John Sullivan
Address: 4675 Oxford School Road
City: Claremont State: NC Zip: 28610
Email: Phone: 828-241-3355
Describe your Partnership:The Principal, Jeff Taylor served with Allen Sigmon in assisting the city with the 5 K and 10 K run. Their students are part of the City Youth Council. We work very closly with the band boosters in giving them space at our festivals where they may bring in some funding.
You may also include additional letters of support from partner groups.
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By submitting this application, we agree to adhere to the guidelines and requirements outlined in this application if selected as a TRACK Trail site. Typing your name below and submitting this application is equivalent to your electronic signature.
Park & Recreation Director: Henry H. Helton, Jr.
TRACK Trail Manager: Doug Barrick