State grants cash for parks upgrades

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WDTN) - State Senator Chris Widener (R-Springfield) announced Tuesday that the state Controlling Board recently approved the release of more than $250,000 in state grants to help make needed improvements to parks and recreation areas in communities throughout the 10th Senate District.

“Our local parks and recreation areas not only help showcase the natural beauty of the region but they play an important role in promoting physical activity, bringing family and friends together over barbeques, baseball games and other events and work to enhance the quality of life in our communities,” said Widener. “I applaud the effort of state and local officials to secure grant money for these needed park improvement projects in the 10th District.”

The Controlling Board authorized the release of a $204,523 Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant to the City of Beavercreek to support the acquisition, engineering and construction of a 4,600-foot path that will connect area housing developments, regional bikeways, downtown Beavercreek, local businesses and schools. The trail will go through two existing parks.

The Clean Ohio Trails Fund, which provides grants to help communities improve outdoor recreation, is part of the $400 million Clean Ohio program that was originally approved by Ohio voters in 2000 and renewed in 2008 through passage of State Issue 2.

In addition, the Controlling Board approved the release of $47,017 in NatureWorks grants to help upgrade other recreational areas in Clark and Greene counties.

• Bethel Township in Clark County was awarded $23,321 to help purchase and install new picnic tables, a walkway, parking lot and playground and renovate the baseball field at Donnelsville Park.
• The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District in Greene County will receive a $23,696 NatureWorks grant to help cover the cost of renovating tennis courts and resurfacing basketball courts and an access path at Petrikis Park.

The NatureWorks program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue that was approved by Ohio voters in November 1993. The program provides up to 75 percent reimbursement assistance for townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts, and conservancy districts for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas.