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Controlling board funds parks projects
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
The state Controlling Board approved more than $2.3 million in funding for parks projects around the state, including several in the Mahoning Valley.
The latest grants are part of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ NatureWorks Local Parks program. A total of 129 applications for funding were submitted, and ODNR recommended 90 for grants.
In Mahoning County, the city of Struthers will receive $19,500 toward $26,000 in new playground equipment at Mauthe Park.
Canfield Township will get $15,000 toward $55,000 in park upgrades, including a new accessible pavilion, picnic tables, charcoal grills and security cameras.
And New Middletown will receive $10,000 toward a $20,000 picnic pavilion and entry walkway at Welker Park.
In Trumbull County, Warren Township will receive $38,619 toward a $51,000-plus project to create a 0.6-mile loop trail at the Johnson Community Center.
Other grantees included two villages in Columbiana County. Washingtonville will receive $20,000 toward a $67,000 project for playground improvements and a basketball court.
New Waterford will receive $9,500 toward a $40,000 project to add a “heavy-duty, vinyl gazebo” and landscaping to the village park on the square.
In other business Monday, the Controlling Board OK’d $300,775 for a chiller replacement at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown. The existing unit is more than 15 years old and uses a refrigerant that has been banned, according to documents.