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Requesting the acceptance of a grant of $6,300 from the MA Assn. Health Board/MA Dept. of Public Health, for the Health and Human Services Dept.'s Mass in Motion program to activate the parks for our aging population.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
The City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department has been awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Association Health Board/ Mass Department of Public Health - Mass in Motion Grant “Activating the Parks” initiative in the amount of $6,300.00.
These funds will be used to conduct four focus groups with COA members and other interested seniors to discover the logistical challenges they perceive to visiting local parks (such as poor lighting, narrow sidewalks, heavy traffic, inadequate benches for resting and insufficient ramps or curb cuts) and the types of activities that would make the parks a destination worth traveling to. COA will then host a series of test activities identified by the focus groups to be held in parks throughout Somerville. There will then be a “cool down” discussion in which participants can share thoughts on their experience. This will also include project evaluations, using input gathered from activity attendees and additional research conducted by an external evaluator.
In accordance with M.G.L., Chapter 44, Section 53A, which requires a vote of the Board of Alderman for the expenditure of grants, or gifts from the federal government and from charitable foundation, private corporation, or an individual, or from the Commonwealth, a County or Municipality or agency thereof, I request that you accept this grant for final approval.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joseph A. Curtatone, Mayor