The final piece of the financing for the Clarion County Park’s playground fell into place last week.
A $192,800 Community Parks, Small Community and Partnership grant was recently awarded to Clarion County from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, according to state Sen. Scott Hutchinson and state Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-63rd).
The county was awarded the funding for improvements to Clarion County Park in Paint Township. The project includes construction of a pavilion, installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing, ADA access, landscaping and other related site improvements.
“The improved recreational facilities at the park, such as a new pavilion and the playground equipment, will provide new opportunities and improve the quality of life for everyone in the Clarion community.”
“Clarion County Park is deserving of these funds, as it is a wonderful place for activities in central Clarion County,” Oberlander said.
“The park has grown considerably over the years, and this grant will allow officials there to make necessary upgrades for both safety and accessibility. I thank the county and its staff and volunteers for applying for this highly competitive grant and all the work they put into making this a great facility in our area.”
“There is a playground at the park now but it is not all-inclusive,” said Clarion County Commissioner Ted Tharan. “There are sensory objects including drums, a xylophone and a wheelchair swing.
“It is a matching grant,” said Tharan. “The match includes money and in-kind labor.”
A community committee raised money for the match. “They held a blue grass concert, had a food cart at Clarion River Days and a gun raffle,” said Mindy Frampton, Confidential Administrative Assistant and Grant Coordinator. The county also used a portion of the Marcellus Shale Legacy fund money.
The playground will be 80 feet by 120 feet. The base will be a rubber safety surface. The rubber surface will cost $76,000 in addition to the cost of the playground equipment.
“We wanted a better quality,” said Frampton. “We are talking about the safety of the kids.”
“The old playground is definitely aging,” said Frampton. “The new one had to be ADA accessible, so it was a win-win.”
Frampton said the playground could be expanded.
Construction will begin in January 2020.