The Clarion County Park is in for a major upgrade.
Mindy Frampton, the county’s assistant chief clerk, rolled out plans for a new playground area at the park during Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting.
Frampton said the 80-by-120-foot area would include equipment that can be utilized by everyone. The equipment will be mounted on a rubber surface that will prevent injuries.
Tharan said the present equipment is “breaking down” and needs to be replaced.
Frampton said the county had secured two state grants totaling $390,000. The grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will require a 50 percent match, and the grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development needs a 15 percent local match. The DCED grant can be used as the match for the DCNR grant.
Three local organizations, Next Step, TTSR (Training Toward Self Reliance) and United Community Independence Programs (UCIP) are working to raise the required matching funds.
Frampton said the grants won’t be available until October, and construction will start early next year. She said construction should take only a few weeks.
The park also has seven small pavilions, one medium pavilion, one large pavilion and a community center. Picnic tables and charcoal grills are on site, and some of the pavilions are handicapped accessible.
And, for those interested in providing activities for animals and livestock, an arena and barn are available.
The park is open daily from April through October.
Additional information is available by calling (814) 226-9230.