By BRETT KRIEBEL
Clarion News writer
Shippenville Borough Council recently discussed how the borough could go about acquiring grant funding to go toward upgrades at Woodburn Park.
Council member Rose Schreckengost told council she had recently spoken with Emlenton Borough manager Nancy Marano regarding funds the borough received for renovations at Hughes Park in Emlenton.
Shippenville Borough Council members have talked about installing new playground equipment and possible ADA upgrades at Woodburn Park during recent meetings.
The project in Emlenton included renovation of a comfort station, construction of a parking area and pedestrian walkways, ADA access, landscaping and other related site improvements.
Emlenton Borough received a total of roughly $100,000 in funds through a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant as well as a county-based grant, according to Schreckengost.
Schreckengost said Marano recently explained the specific grant’s process to her, which is said to take around three years before funds are received.
Schreckengost said the first year of the process would deal with engineering a proposal for the grant. The second year would mostly deal with planning and acquiring bids.
“(Marano) said they got a $20,000 grant from the county which they used for their match for the ADA sidewalks and parking areas so none of that really cost them anything,” said Schreckengost. “They were able to take their portion of it out of their grant.”
“She suggested some borough meetings for people who are interested to talk about what the vision is for (the park), whether it’s a place for little kids, big kids, or both or adults.”
More park discussion
Borough secretary Jacqui Blose said she had recently received an email from a Knox Baseball Association representative regarding the group’s interest in writing a grant application to replace the baseball field’s outfield fence.
Council president Linda Duffee said Knox Area Little League and Softball teams have used the field for around the last 15 years. Duffee said she believed the fence has been in bad shape for several years.
Council member Chuck Knight noted the backstop at the field was replaced recently, and the group likely wants to replace the fence to match it with the new plastic backstop.
“I know a lot of the ballfields I’ve been to have plastic over the top of the fences so the kids don’t get hurt and ours does not,” said council member Gary Dittman.
Dittman added he believed the group had recently put roughly $6,000 toward upgrades to the field’s soil.
Also at the park, Dittman noted areas around it have experienced standing water, adding he did not think filling the areas with mulch would fix the issue.
“You’re going to need to put something solid in there to keep water from lying,” said Dittman, noting gravel had been placed there in the past but eventually it was spread out and the areas filled up with water again.
Duffee said the borough had budgeted to install mulch at the park last year but was never able to because of consistently wet weather conditions. Areas of concern around trees at the park and a sign were also broached.
Duffee added the council would bring up the issues to maintenance manager Russ Rennard to see if they can be resolved this spring.
Other news
Council accepted a $1,150 quote for street sweeping services to be completed by Michael Beichner Contracting Services.