MONTGOMERY-Governor Robert Bentley has announced more than $700,000 in grants to improve recreation in 10 towns and cities and four state parks.
The $707,757 in awards were made available through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The majority of the grants were $50,000 each and are for a broad gamut of projects from a skateboard park to a canoe launch to a special-needs ball park.
“Local parks and outdoor recreation facilities are vital to the well-being of communities, residents and visitors. Bentley said. “Our parks provide places for families and friends to go outside, enjoy nature, participate in community events and socialize. Parks add to an area’s identity and I think more than anything they help create wonderful lifetime memories.”
The LWCF program was created by Congress in 1965 to assist states with the development and preservation of outdoor recreational facilities. It is
Robert Bentley
managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior and is funded through royalties derived from oil and gas drilling.
Recipients are required to provide matching funds equal to or greater than the grant.
Grants awarded to Alabama Department of Conservation:
- DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne – $56,007 to renovate a bathroom, including a handicapped accessible entrance; upgrading picnic areas; and resurfacing parking areas.
- Guntersville State Park in Guntersville – $50,000 to construct a water-feature play area and a dog park in the campground area.
- Cheaha State Park near Anniston – $50,000 to refurbish or replace playground equipment, pavilions and restrooms, including improving handicapped accessibility.
- Wind Creek State Park near Alexander City – $51,750 to renovate or replace playground equipment.
Towns and cities awarded $50,000 grants:
- Rogersville will build a water playground area at the town park. The handicapped-accessible playground also will have benches, tables and shaded areas. The town park, which includes several ball fields and a walking area, was built in 1995 with LWCF assistance. The town is supplying $200,000 in local funds for the project.
- Centre will build a water playground with seven water features at the city park. Local funding of $80,000 will supplement the grant.
- Hartselle will construct the final phase of the John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground at Sparkman Park. John Mark Stallings, who had Down syndrome and died in 2008, was the son of former Alabama football coach Gene Stallings. The playground will have 35 ground-level play stations and a water-feature playground. Hartselle is providing $100,000 in local funding for the project.
- Hamilton will improve access to the Buttahatchee River near Marion County Road 42. Improvements will include constructing an access road and parking area, canoe and small boat launch and pavilion. The city has pledged $50,179 for the project.
- Sardis City will light six tennis courts located off Church Street and construct parking and sidewalks that are handicapped accessible. The property was donated to the city by the Etowah County Board of Education. The town has pledged $50,000 for the project.
- LaFayette will use funds to develop the first of a five-phase city park off Forrest Avenue. The project at the 51-acre New City Park will involve construction of a playground, picnic area and gravel parking lot. The town, which is providing $50,000 in local funding for the construction, has been working with Auburn University to prepare a master plan for the park.
- Headland will make improvements at Douglas Park, including a new playground, resurfaced tennis and basketball courts and measures to ensure the park is handicapped accessible. A $50,000 local match is being pledged.
- Enterprise will use funds to convert a batting practice facility into a skate park. The lighted park at the Enterprise Recreational Youth Center will include obstacles and rails, sidewalks and spectator seating. The city is providing $84,380 in local funding for the project.
- Satsuma will construct a water playground at Fred K. Wright Park, which previously benefitted from LWCF monies for the renovation of its tennis complex. The water playground will have multiple water features and is expected to be an attraction for youth within about a 20-mile radius. The city is pledging $60,000 in a cash match plus $10,000 in in-kind services like materials or labor.
- Mobile will revitalize Doyle Park, a 24-acre community park off Rosedale Drive. The redesign will revitalize a playground and add new playground equipment. City officials and a local group, Friends of Doyle Park, expect increased use of the park due to the Airbus U. S. Manufacturing plant locating in the area.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.
media release/Stateof Alabama
