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Consider directing staff to review current properties that are sometimes shared with the Lawton Public Schools and evaluate opportunities to maximize the community benefit of said properties, to include possible exchange of property ownership.
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INITIATOR: Jeffery Temple, Parks & Recreation Director
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Keith Nietzke, Parks Superintendent
BACKGROUND: During the subdivision development process, park land and school land were often dedicated on adjacent tracks. Over the years there has been shared use and maintenance of such property between the City of Lawton (COL) and Lawton Public Schools (LPS). This was generally worked out with “handshake deals”, usage agreements or memorandums of understanding to delineate responsibilities. Some examples of this are: 1) Lawton Public Schools operates the four westerly ball fields at the Grandview Sports Complex and COL Parks & Recreation has operates the four easterly fields. 2) City of Lawton has primary control of Lee West Park but LPS owns approximately 5 acres of it. 3) City of Lawton is responsible for Willow Park; LPS owns the adjacent 3.5 acres to the west. 4) City of Lawton is responsible for Gray Warr Park; LPS owns adjacent 4 acres to the east. 5) City of Lawton is responsible for MacArthur Park; LPS owns adjacent 2.5 acres to the west. 6) City of Lawton owns the property immediately adjacent to LPS Lincoln Elementary School. Working with LPS to possibly exchange some of these properties would allow for improvements to made without the need for further agreements.
EXHIBIT: None
KEY ISSUES: None
FUNDING SOURCE: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: Direct staff to review current properties that are sometimes shared with the Lawton Public Schools and evaluate opportunities to maximize the community benefit of said properties, to include possible exchange of property ownership