Grant Awarded for FY 2026

During the July 24th, Water Quality Fees Board Meeting, the Bob O Link Greenspace Grant Application was selected to receive a FY 2026 Class A Neighborhood– Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Award. This funding will cover work from about April 1, 2026, through November 1, 2027.

Friends of Wolf Run assists our neighborhood by consulting on and submitting the application, the Grant Award Agreement, and the follow-up reporting. 

1. We will receive a Grant Award Agreement (GAA) for review and consideration.
2. We will return three (3) GAA originals, each copy notarized, to send to the Urban County Council (UCC) for approval. This process can take up to several weeks or even months.
3. Once the GAA is approved by the UCC, we will receive an email from DWQ staff that includes the official “Notice to Proceed” authorization, as well as documents for Grant Reporting with instructions. This is expected to come in March 2026. Please note that any work done before the NTP is given will be considered ineligible items.

Here is our Grant Determination Form (GDF). This incorporates the Director’s Recommendations including stipulations, some of which will appear in the Grant Award Agreement documents.  There may be stipulations listed that require your immediate attention as part of the Grant Award Agreement drafting process.  It is important to address these issues to expedite the agreement process.

GRANT PROPOSAL

Jennifer Erena, 394 Bob O Link Dr, in collaboration with landowner, Bill Holland,396 Bob O Link Dr. Lexington, KY 40503

Collaborative efforts to stabilize stream banks to reduce erosion and flooding will enhance the health of the Elm Fork of Vaughn's Branch and contribute to water quality improvement. We hope to also impact the beauty, and safe use of the Greenway bordering Bob O Link Dr. Ultimately, promoting an enjoyable and more sustainable environment for all.

Targeted Activities

• Stream cleaning
• Planting of trees along a stream
• Tree canopy establishment/expansion
• Neighborhood targeted educational activities and/or brochures on how to reduce stormwater pollution, such as proper use of lawn chemicals, etc.

Detailed activities

• Cut and treat invasive bush honeysuckle along the bank (new clearing on left descending bank, re-clearing on right descending bank)
• Remove or chip cut limbs on site.
• Install Rough Leaf Dogwood, Silky Dogwood and other suitable riparian woody whips.
• Install Virginia Wild Rye and other suitable riparian seed mixes in its place.

Budget $16,125 

• Plant materials, $2000  

• Supplies, Signage, Flyers, Educational Materials, $1250 

• Contracted Services, $10,275 

Source of ~25% Match ($3,606) 

• Project Management, 4 people, 55 hours x $20 = $1,100 

• Volunteers 100 hours x $15 = 1,500 

• 2026 Spring workday(s) (14 x 2 hours) x 2 

• 2026 Fall workday(s) (14 x 2 hours) x 1-2 

• 2026 Spring Educational event in the impacted area 

• 2027 Spring workday(s) (14 x 2 hours) x 2 

• 2027 Fall workday(s) (14 x 2 hours) x 1-2 

• 2027 Spring Educational event in the impacted area 

Donated Professional Services 

• Invasive species management 

• Three visits for invasive  species management (+/‐1.0  acre) 2027 

• Development of a site planting  and management plan 

• Coordination, development  and delivery of educational /  engagement programs 

Donated Professional Services for Volunteer Engagement & Education (flexible) 

• Mark Felice, water testing demonstration and significance  

• Beverly James, plants and natural stabilization 

• Mark Horman, water run-off and landscaping 

• Tresine Logsdon, sustainability for students 

Letters of Support

• Sigafus Greenway owner, William (Bill) Holland (verbal received 4/26, in writing 4/27, sent 4/28)
• Picadome Neighborhood Association

 Planning & Collaboration

To achieve these goals, collaboration among parties includes the following.

 Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), particularly Lafayette High School and SCAPA

Identified contacts
Science Faculty at Lafayette High School
Tresine Logsdon, Sustainability Coordinator
Choir Student Service Project (Joseph Wrightson, Teacher) – confirmed interest, hopefully adding an “earth song” for the occasion.

What we need:

1. Endorsement of our application through a letter from the Principal of Lafayette High School or other position with authority.
2. Cooperation with vegetation management/native planting activities on FCPS property.
3. Identification of groups interested in participating through volunteer hands-on activity or attending stream restoration educational activities.

“Sigafus Greenway”, the private land along the Elm Fork of Vaughn's Branch approximately from 394 Bob O Link Dr. to 486 Bob O Link Dr.

What we need:

1. Endorsement of our application
2. Permission for volunteers and contractors to access this property for vegetation management, native planting and educational activities.
3. Cooperation with vegetation management/native planting activities on the property.

Picadome neighborhood residents, particularly residents who utilize the greenway for personal enjoyment.

What we need:

1. Participation in grant activities, including vegetation management, native planting and educational activities.
2. List of volunteer estimates

Neighborhood Champion and Event Planner, Jennifer Erena

What we need:

1. Request Friends of Wolf Run to assist in completing and submitting stream restoration grant application.
2. Define stream restoration activities desired for the Sigafus Greenway property as defined above.
3. Participation in grant activities, including vegetation management, native planting and educational activities.

Contracted Services, Russ Turpin (EcoGrow)

What we need:

1. Professional services for consulting, large vegetation removal (ex. clear and treat larger bush honeysuckle) and ongoing maintenance.

Potentially Team Depot, Home Depot community service team - or other business community service program

1. Make Contact
2. Potential discount or donated supplies
3. Potential volunteers

What we need:

1. Participation in grant activities, including vegetation management, native planting and educational activities.

Invitations / Notifications

1. Picadome Neighborhood Association
   • Email
   • Facebook
2. The Link FB Group
3. Door flyers for Bob O Link Drive
4. Friends of the Parks, 501c3 since 1988, Sandy Shafer
   • Email list (Sandy Shafer)
   • Facebook Page
5. Home Depot, Team Depot Leader
6. Kentucky Utilities? Community outreach??

Schedule Dates for Educational Projects

Beverly James

Carol Spence > mid-April to mid-May or mid-August to mid-November; 2-3 hours after sunset.

Spring Work Days

1. Remove invasives
   1. Mustard
   2. Vine

Invasive Plants | Forestry and Natural Resources

Fall Workdays

Removal of Honeysuckle > herbicide cut stump > June through January

• Cut and saturate stumps ASAP, within 2 hours of cutting. Glyphosate poses least carry-over problems to native plants.