NORTH OGDEN -- The city is applying for $77,580 in RAMP grants this year.
One of the biggest changes that will occur if funds are granted will be a new dog park on an acre of Lomond View Park, 220 E. Elberta Drive. The city is requesting $7,200 for the dog park.
The city is also seeking just more than $31,000 for new scoreboards for city parks, $17,000 to refinish tennis courts, and money for Cherry Days, dugouts and an addition to the property where the museum is housed.
Community Services Director Dave Nordquist explained that the city has completed most of the items on a five-year parks and recreation plan in two years because of grants the city has received.
Mayor Richard Harris asked Nordquist's department to start looking into a dog park because many residents have requested it.
"It will be a very low-key area," Nordquist said.
A fence would be put up around the area, and a water spigot would be installed.
Nordquist said he doesn't want the park to be pricey or labor intensive. "We just want to try it out."
If the park doesn't work out, it would be easy to take away. If it does work, the city can look at making it fancier if necessary.
"I'm not in favor of spending money on a dog park," said City Councilman Wade Bigler.
"I have nothing against animals," he added.
Nordquist explained the area already has orchard grass, which is very hardy and low-maintenance.
"(A dog park) has been very successful in some communities," he said, adding that no obstacle course or other amenities are being considered at this time.
"The whole point of the park is for people to go and let their dogs run," Nordquist said.
Bigler also was opposed to spending extra funds on a Cherry Days concert.
Nordquist explained the funds wouldn't go toward a concert, but to the Cherry Days event in general. No fireworks display has been budgeted, so no concert is planned at this point, he said.
Nordquist explained that the funds from RAMP for many of the projects have to be matched by the city and said the city has been able to come up with the required matches in the way of labor and donated items, not hard cash.
City Councilman Justin Fawson pointed out that it does cost the city money for the grants when it has to pay employees to do the work.
"I would like to rely on volunteers as heavily as possible," he said.
Nordquist said he plans to use both volunteer and employee labor for the dog park, not city money.
Nordquist said that, since 2006, the city had received almost $750,000 in RAMP grants and that the grant process had been very successful for the city.
RAMP funds come from a tax approved by Weber County voters in 2004 that allows the county to impose a local sales tax of one-tenth of 1 percent, which is 1 cent on a $10 sale, to improve recreation, arts, museums and parks.
North Ogden will automatically receive $17,000, which is about $1 for each resident of the city.
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