How to Apply to Add a Park Amenity or Rec Program

Have a great idea for an amenity in a city park or for a recreational program?

The City of Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Board reviews project applications from booster clubs, sports groups, and other community members seeking:

Approval to change or add a city park amenity or recreational program
City funding of a park amenity or recreational program

As an advisory board to the City Council, the board decides whether to recommend a project to the council for approval and implementation. The council makes the final decision.

To provide quality recreational opportunities and to plan, acquire, develop and maintain quality, attractive parks and facilities that enhance the quality of life in the community of Albert Lea.

Estimated cost of proposed project and available city funding, if any, and placement in Capital Improvement Plan if applicable
Economic impact to community
Feasibility of completing the project
Staff resources needed to implement and maintain proposed project
Whether proposed project duplicates existing amenity or conflicts with existing use
How the project helps the community be more inclusive or welcoming to people of different backgrounds, including Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
How the project enhances local quality of life
Impact to natural resources

Application

To apply for a recommendation from the board, please do the following:

Review of Project Requests

Review the process for review of project requests. You may want to print this process as a handy reference.

Complete the application.

Save the application form and complete it on a computer, or print a hard copy and complete it by hand.

Submit the application.

Then submit it by:

Emailing it as an attachment to awacholz@ci.albertlea.mn.us
Bringing a hard copy to the Recreation Office at 701 Lake Chapeau Drive, or
Mailing a hard copy to the City of Albert Lea,
- Attn: Recreation Department,
- 221 E. Clark St., Albert Lea, MN 56007/

A few tips for completing the application:

Please do the necessary research, including soliciting cost estimates. The more complete your application, the faster the review process will go.
Seek support from partners and request letters of support from them.
Have a plan for raising funds to implement the project. Projects with at least some outside funding are more likely to succeed due to limited city funding.
Be patient. Gathering and reviewing information takes time. The city schedules capital improvement projects several years in advance for planning and budgeting purposes.

For more information Contact:

Afton Wacholz

Administrative Assistant

701 Lake Chapeau Drive
Albert Lea, MN 56007

507-377-4370

awacholz@ci.albertlea.mn.us