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Department of Parks and Recreation
Reference: Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of a Grant Application to Adams County for an Amount Not to Exceed $660,000.00 for the "BJAA (Brighton Japanese American Association) Park Improvements Project"; and to Authorize the City Manager to Sign the Grant Application.
To: Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council
Through: Clint Blackhurst, Acting City Manager
Chontel Trujillo, Assistant City Manager of Operations
Prepared By: Gary Wardle, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mark Heidt, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Development
Date Prepared: July 24, 2017
PURPOSE
A Resolution authorizing the City of Brighton to submit to Adams County Open Space an Active Grant Application requesting grant funding in the amount not to exceed $660,000.00 for the "BJAA (Brighton Japanese American Association) Park Improvements Project"; and to authorize the Acting City Manager to sign the grant application.
BACKGROUND
The history of BJAA Park has echoed the history of the United States. In 1952 Japanese children were not allowed to play in the American Legion Pee Wee baseball league. The BJAA helped to organize a Japanese American Pee Wee league so that their children could play baseball. Sometime in 1953 the BJAA created a park at the corner of Longs Peak Street and North 12th Avenue with a ball diamond on it. The BJAA Park land, including the park amenities, was donated to the City of Brighton on July 11, 1973 by the Brighton Japanese American Association (BJAA) - that is 45 years in 2018.
BJAA Park is at a point of needing revitalization and enhancing the site. For this reason Brighton applied for and received an Adams County Open Space Passive Grant to fund the development of a Master Plan for the park. BJAA Park has never had a Master Plan. In 2017, the City has involved the Brighton Japanese American Association, adjacent neighbors, and Brighton residents in the Master Planning process. ...
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