In partnership with Webb County, the City of Laredo announced Tuesday, April 2 that the Zacate Creek Green District Corridor Project grant they submitted in 2023 is one of 14 projects across 11 states that will receive funding through the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program.
Funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, ORLP provides grants to communities for locally-led park projects in underserved communities, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities with little to no access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
The City’s $7.6 million grant application to Texas Parks and Wildlife for the Zacate Creek Green District Corridor Project proposed the development and substantial renovation of Zacate Creek next to Las Palmas Park and El Azteca Neighborhood along the Río Grande. The application was successful through contributions from both the public and private sectors including the City, Webb County, Crane Engineering, Overland Partners, Rio Grande International Study Center, and Able City.
The ORLP grant is a 50/50 matching program in which applicants cost-share the total project with the federal agency. The City of Laredo and Webb County, both attuned to the potential positive impact to the community, partnered to commit local funds to meet the required match of $3.8 million — the City with a $1.8 million commitment and $2 million by Webb County. The National Park Service matched that $3.8million for the $7.6 million project.
The 22-acre Zacate Creek Green District Corridor improvements include the creation of new hiking/biking trails, shared-use paths, a new trailhead entrance, designated parking areas, anopen-air visitor center with restrooms and a bike and kayak rental station, pedestrian bridges (both new and restored), amphitheater restoration, benches, water fountains, tables, bike repair stations, a community garden, landscaping, invasive plant species removal, planting of native plants and grasses, and embankment stabilization.
The City’s press release for the $7.6 million project acknowleges the concerted efforts of Congressman Henry Cuellar, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina and the Webb County Commissioner’s Court, Mayor Dr. Victor Treviño and the Laredo City Council, as well as those of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the National Parks Service.
The ORLP Zacate Creek Green District Corridor project is one of several funded by foundations, state and federal agencies to provide programs and development along the Rio Grande. That includes $3 million in federal earmarks for Las Palmas Nature Trail and Zacate Creek Restoration. Funding provided by the Methodist Health Ministries helped create the Zacate Creek Creative Coalition that includes the Daphne Art Foundation, Able City, Laredo Film Society, and the City of Laredo Parks and Recreations Department.
The “Laredo Green District Development” includes Rio Grande International Study Center, Azteca Economic Development & Preservation Corporation, Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability, Laredo Main Street, MileOne, City Makery, Monte Mucho Audubon Society, and the City of Laredo Health Department.
At long last!