DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – The City of Mount Ida is working to secure a $75,000 state grant that will be used to purchase new equipment for the city park located on Luzerne Street.
A public meeting was held Friday, April 16, at the Mount Ida Civic Center to discuss a Fun Park Grant valued at $75,000. The grant is a 100 percent grant available through state agencies and can be used to improve existing equipment and add new equipment.
Melissa McCool, former park superintendent, shared a presentation explaining the grant and what the city will do with the money if the grant is awarded to them.
The goal is to build up existing equipment while providing places for people to relax and adding a diverse set of exercise opportunities.
She stated that they began by talking to the people who use the park to gauge the needs of the park. One of the biggest needs is playground equipment for younger children. She pointed out that currently there are two empty play areas in need of equipment. New playground equipment has been identified and a price hold has been placed on the equipment until the city receives the grant.
They will also use some of the money to purchase new trash receptacles. They will also replace existing grills while adding two new picnic tables and benches.
The grant will also cover the cost of new exercise stations that can be used by older teens and adults.
They are currently soliciting signatures to show community support. This is an essential part of the grant process and is used to measure community involvement in the project. They hope to have the signatures gathered and submitted by June.
A committee will review all applications and will invite a shortlist of candidates to a meeting held October 29 in Jacksonville, Arkansas. The city engineer stated that he believes Mount Ida has an excellent chance to receive the grant this year. He explained that the fact that the city has never received this grant moves it up the list and the large number of signatures being collected should put it over the top. Currently there are over 300 signatures collected.
If Mount Ida receives the grant they should receive the money by January 2022.
McCool shared that they are also working on a Blue and You Activity Grant that could be worth as much as $150,000. If this grant is approved, the money will be used to resurface the walking track to make it ADA accessible.
Copies of the petition to support the Fun Park Grant can be found at several locations around Montgomery County including Mount Ida City Hall.
