More grant money pursued for Johnny Carson Park upgrades

After losing out on $3.5-million in state funding for the redesign of Johnny Carson Park, Burbank officials are preparing to apply for another grant that could help make up the difference for the $5-million redesign of Johnny Carson Park.

On Tuesday, the City Council gave the parks department the OK to apply for the grant after the city was turned down for an application for $3.5 million through the Proposition 84 program.

“We’re going forward any which way,” said Jan Bartolo, director of the parks department. “We’re actively soliciting grant funds out there.”

The sustainable redesign would widen, thicken and add vegetation to the Tujunga Wash creek that runs through the park and into the Los Angeles River. Plans also call for a new playground, jogging path, lighting and seating area, according to a city report.

Three grants are pending. Combined, they could provide millions of dollars.

The first is for $50,000 from the Habitat Conservation Fund and requires the city to match that grant.

A separate $100,000 grant from the Habitat Conservation Fund also requires a match from the city.

The last pending grant from the California Rivers and Parkways program would provide Burbank with $2.5 million.

Another grant, for which the parks department now will apply, would total $265,075 and calls for a 50% match.

Bartolo said she expects to hear back on the three pending grants by summer 2012.