STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC7
1/27/26
TN
Date: January 27, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Sonya Patterson, Director - Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Community Services Department
Subject:National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Grant Acceptance Recommendation:
A.Accept the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) grant award in the amount of up to $4,500 for the Walk with Ease project to the revenue account SHAPR NRPA.FEDOTHER 30062600-4998.
B.Appropriate funds in the amount of up to $4,500 to the expenditure account to SHAPR NRPA.MISCGRANT 30062600-5656.
C.Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the grant contract, including all necessary documents and provisions, subject to City Attorney approval.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
No impact to the general fund. The grant amount is $4,500 and requires $0 in matching funds/in- kind contributions.
Background:
In the fall of 2024, the Parks, Arts, Recreation & Community Services (PARCS) Department successfully applied for the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Supporting Healthy Aging Through Parks and Recreation 4.0 (SHAPR 4.0) instructor training Grant. This funding, provided in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), supports the implementation of the Walk with Ease program, participant materials and equipment required.
The City of Lancaster was awarded a $4,500 grant through a competitive selection process. This award is in support of the implementation of an arthritis-appropriate, evidence-based intervention (AAEBI) program through local parks and recreation facilities. 1 3
9 2
As part of this grant, the City of Lancaster has also been selected to participate in NRPA’s Community of Practice (CoP). This opportunity includes training, technical assistance, professional development, and peer-learning opportunities facilitated by NRPA and relevant industry experts. The CoP is designed to help participating agencies apply the principles outlined in Elevating Health Equity Through Parks and Recreation: A Framework for Action in their work to prevent and manage chronic conditions such as arthritis. The goal of the CoP is to increase participant knowledge related to health equity and systems-change approaches that advance health equity through parks and recreation. NRPA has designated $1,000 of the total grant award specifically to support the City’s participation in the CoP.
In addition, the NRPA SHAPR 4.0 grant package includes two instructor training courses for the Walk with Ease program, comprehensive participant materials, equipment, and access to a community of practice that offers ongoing training and technical assistance.
The $4,500 grant funds are designated as follows:
$1,000: To support participation in the community of practice. $3,500: To directly sustain the arthritis-appropriate, evidence-based interventions program delivery.
City Council's formal acceptance of this grant is essential to ensure the project moves forward.
Implementation of the "Walk with Ease" program will provide residents, particularly older adults, with a proven opportunity to improve physical activity levels and overall quality of life.
Attachment:
NRPA Grant Contract
SP:MV