Ohio approves park grants for tri-county area

COLUMBUS — The state Controlling Board signed off today on grants for parks improvements in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties.

The projects were among those receiving a total of $2.8 million in funding through the NatureWorks program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

In Mahoning County, $16,759 will go to Smith Township for new playground equipment and a pavilion at North Benton Park. An additional $34,280 will go to the village of New Middletown for asphalt exercise paths at Welker Park.

In Trumbull County, the city of Girard will receive $37,187 for bridge improvements at Liberty Park, and $30,000 will go to Johnson Township to replace playground equipment at Johnson Park.

Three projects were OK’d for Columbiana County. The village of Salineville will receive $6,039 for a new basketball court, playground equipment, drinking fountain, benches, landscaping and lighting at Kiwanis Park.

The city of East Liverpool will receive $14,600 for new playground swings at Thompson Park.

And the county park district will receive $20,418 for a dirt and asphalt track at Hellbender Bluff Park.