Grant awards to fund 4 parks

By Elise Franco

Needed improvements in Howland Township are possible through a state grant.

Four local communities are getting money from the state to enhance their outdoor recreational facilities.

A total of $50,245 was awarded to Howland and Canfield townships, Campbell and Lordstown by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks Grant Program.

Canfield Township Trustee William Reese said the $20,000 in grant money given to the township will be used to purchase equipment for the Canfield Township Park under construction on Herbert Road. He said the equipment will be for a fenced-in toddler playground area for children under 9 years old.

“It’ll be in a fenced-in area where the children can’t get out, so parents and nannies can turn the kids loose,” Reese said. “We’re looking into any type of handicap equipment that can satisfy the needs of any resident in the township.”

He said being awarded the grant was important for development of the park to stay on task.

“It was critically important because now that we have this money we can start immediately working on the plan to develop the toddler park,” Reese said. “If we didn’t get the money then we’d look immediately for other grant money, and it would delay the project up to a year.”

He said the township plans to have the toddler park completely installed by spring of 2009.

In Howland, the $24,205 granted will be used as a five-part renovation project in Morgandale Park, located on Weir Road Northeast.

Kim Mascarella, Howland Township’s assistant planning and zoning director, said plans include adding new play equipment, park benches, lighting, shade trees, landscaping and potentially a new sign.

“Of all the township parks, Morgandale is the most underdeveloped and in the most need of renovation,” she said. “We’re accommodating requests of citizens who use Morgandale Park.”

Mascarella said the park land was donated to the township in 1981 by Morgandale Citizens Group Inc., and these renovations will be the first.

“Based on the need of that area, it’s always great to think that you’re reinvesting in your older neighborhoods,” she said. “The state recognized the need for the project and awarded it to Howland Township.”

Central Park, on state Route 45 in Lordstown, was designated $8,108 to build new footbridges over a creek leading to the Central Park gazebo.

In Campbell, $15,932 will be used in the construction of new restrooms in Roosevelt Park on Tenney Avenue, replacing older, inadequate facilities.

These grants are funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue, which was approved by Ohio voters in November 1993. ODNR was able to award $1.7 million to 90 local parks in Ohio in 2008.

efranco@vindy.com