life for all residents, through continued investments in parks, recreational facilities, and community services. Recent efforts have been focused on upgrading Rambling River Park, which Omlid says needed revitalization to be a more inviting gateway to the community. She relays, “We went through a master planning process and we did tons of public engagement. Through the process we came up with a plan, and this year we’re implementing the plan.” Part of this initiative is the introduction of an inclusive playground with poured-in-place rubber surfacing. “We don’t have that anywhere in Farmington, and for our friends and neighbors who have mobility issues, this is a huge win. We will draw people to our community because of this park,” Omlid depicts. It doesn’t stop there. The city is also pursuing a $350,000 matching grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the construction of a new skate park. Thanks to a $750,000 Community Funding Project Grant from the federal government, and further support from Council, the Rambling River Center (senior center) is also undergoing major renovations. “We completed a master planning process for the Senior Center in January, working with an architect to design a plan for us,’ Omlid elaborates, “We knew we only had $750,000, but the total improvements had about a $1.8 million price tag.” Instead of completing the project in separate phases, the City Council agreed to fund the entire project, showing dedication towards Farmington’s senior population. Farmington has also secured a No Child Left Inside grant from the Minnesota DNR, which will be used to purchase resources such as archery equipment and snowshoes, benefitting both youth and senior programs. Further enhancing opportunities in the community, a $16,000 donation from Minnwest Bank, along with contributions from the McKnight Family, Finch and Daisy Consulting, and the Farmington Community, enabled the purchase of a 12-passenger van, which is being used to transport seniors on various trips and tours.“The love that this city council and community has for our seniors is unbelievable,” Omlid asserts. 129 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07 FARMINGTON, MN
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