NEW ULM – Two grant applications were authorized by the New Ulm City Council Tuesday.

The first grant was an arts and music festival grant from Prairie Lakes Arts and Cultural Heritage. The second was a grant from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) to fund enhancements at New Ulm’s Pollinator Park.

Park and Rec Director Joey Schugel said the arts and music grant was for $6,000 and if accepted would be used to support the summer concert series in German Park. The funds would go to promotional material, compensating bands and covering the free activities hosted before the concerts.

“This is a grant that we have not traditionally applied for the concert series and there is no cost to apply or matching grant,” Schugel said.

The city council was in favor of seeking funds to assist with the summer concert series. Councilor Eric Warmka said this was a great use of funds and great use of German Park and its amphitheater. He made the motion approving the grant application, which was approved by the council.

Schugel said the LCCMR accepts grant applications for projects that protect, conserve, preserve and enhance Minnesota’s air, water, land, fish, wild life and other natural resources. The grant is paid through reimbursement for expenses.

The grant application would be to enhance the city’s pollinator park. The park is currently 2.64 acres, but there are another 20 acres of city land next to the pollinator park. This land is already used in the park system including walking trails.

Schugel said the grant request amount is $246,000 and if awarded would be used to enhance and expand the park. Enhancement ideas including nature play features, native prairie restoration, trail development, educational signage and invasive species management.

Schugel said the nature based play area could serve the mobile home park across the street from the pollinator park, but could also be a regional draw.

As with the arts and music grant, there is no cost to apply for this grant and no matching funds are required if awarded.

Councilor Warmka said he appreciated the work the city and volunteers have done to build the pollinator park.

“If there is a way to spur a little bit more and get a little bit better use out of it, I would love to see that,” Warmka said before making the motion to approve the grant application. It was approved by the board.