HERMITAGE COG seeks recreation grants

Most of the grants are for playground improvements.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Mercer County Regional Council of Governments is applying for nearly $250,000 in state grants to aid recreation projects in nine municipalities.
Six of the grants will be for individual projects; a seventh will help to fund a project proposed by three municipalities, said Melissa Koch, COG recreation specialist.
COG also will apply for a $15,000 state grant to cover half the cost of a new van for the Mercer County Major Crimes Unit.
The van is a mobile lab used at crime scenes and is operated and maintained by the Hermitage Police Department.
Hermitage will put in the $15,000 in matching funds for the grant.
What's sought: The proposed recreation grants are:
U$12,500 to fund half the cost of a master site recreation plan for Jefferson Township's municipal park on Lamor Road.
U$17,500 to fund half the cost of replacing unsafe playground equipment and adding a safety play surface at the Emerson Avenue and Southwest Gardens playgrounds in Farrell.
U$34,200 to help replace unsafe equipment and install a safety surface at the Hempfield Township Park playground.
U$23,700 to help replace unsafe equipment and install a safety surface at Pymatuning Township Park playground.
U$23,350 to help replace unsafe equipment and install a safety surface at the Wesley McAfoose Park in Jackson Center.
U$33,000 to add parking, relocate a basketball court, add landscaping and move signs at Henderson Taylor Community Park in Clark.
UAbout $100,000 to help Hermitage, Sharpsville and South Pymatuning Township build a $200,000 hiking trail from an area off Trout Island Road to Sharpsville's community park along the Shenango River off High Street.