$1.3 million in park grants awarded by Madison County Board
Acting on the recommendation of the Madison County Park and Recreation Grant Commission, the County Board unamiously voted on March 16 to authorize the distribution of 30 Park Enhancement Grants totaling $1,343,398.66 to municipalities and park districts in the county.
The grants awarded by the Grant Commission will be enhanced through revenue provided by the cities, villages and townships to finance more than 90 projects throughout the county. The projects funded by the grants range from water parks to walking paths, from baseball and soccer fields to tennis and pickleball courts. The grants funds are also being used to repair park facilities and maintanence equipment.
“While there are countless reasons to be proud of Madison County, I am particularly proud of our extensive system of the bicycle and and walking trails managed and maintained by Madison County Transit (MCT), and the hundreds of parks found throughout our great county,” said Madison County Chairman Alan Dunstan.
“Every day of the year in parks throughout Madison County you can find people of all ages bicycling, skating and swimming, playing baseball and softball, or simply sitting on a park bench enjoying watching ducks on a lake and enjoying a sunny day. Our great parks enhance our quality of life and make Madison County an even better place to live and raise a family.”
In the more than 15 years since the Park Enhancement Program was created, more than $15 million in grants have been awarded to support and enhance the county’s community parks. The Madison County Park and Recreation District was created by a vote of Madison County residents in November, 2000. The district is funded by a 1/10th of one percent sales tax which is administered by the Madison County Community Development department operating under the direction of the Madison County Park and Recreation Grant Commission.
Dunstan said a key point frequently overlooked is the economic benefits of a successful park program.
“The parks create jobs for hundreds of Madison County residents of all ages. Companies looking to locate a business or facility take into consideration the parks and recreational facilities that are available for use by employees and their families.
“The fact Madison County has excellent parks can be the deciding factor in a company moving to Madison County and creating hundreds of jobs for our residents.”
Local Grants
Alhambra Township
Amount Requested: $15,000
Alhambra Township Park: Backstop behind the hockey goals; new energy efficient lights for hockey rink; wiring for the lights and concrete work for the lights; field dirt for ball diamonds, also bat racks, field chalker, safety bases, pitching mound, field pump and base plugs
Village of Hamel
Amount Requested: $15,000
Hamel Community Park/Building: Replace/install new tennis court surface; replace fencing, enclosure around tennis court to ensure ADA compliance; replace center drain on center court
City of Highland
Amount Requested: $48,637.66
Glik Park: Purchase seven trash receptacles
Korte Recreation Center: Install sidewalks across parking island
Silver Lake Park: Re-vegetate the dam with native flowers and remove invasive species; purchase sonar for underwater recoveries
Spindler Park: Install three light poles for parking lot
4-Diamonds Ball Fields: Purchase backstop to replace 60-plus-year-old backstop
Rinderer Park: Purchase three multi-use drinking fountains for guests and animals
Village of Livingston
Amount Requested: $15,000
Veterans Memorial Park: Loan repayment
Village of Marine
Amount Requested: $15,000
Heritage Park and Village Park: Purchase playground equipment, AED, Scag mower and weed trimmers; create ADA access to playgrounds
Village of Maryville
Amount Requested: $22,555
Drost Park: PEP loan payment for improvements
New Douglas Township
Amount Requested: $15,000
New Douglas Township Park: Remodel concession stand; purchase treadmill, elliptical trainer and fitness proRower
St. Jacob Park District
Amount Requested: $15,000
St. Jacob Township Park: Install one mile of asphalt walking path.
Tri-Township Park District
Amount Requested: $80,000
Tri-Township Park: Pave handicap accessible parking spaces; pave 51,360 square feet of walking trails and meet ADA compliance
Village of Worden
Amount Requested: $15,000
Project: Annual payment of the Park & Recreation loan.
This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 4:01 AM with the headline "$1.3 million in park grants awarded by Madison County Board."