Madison County Board awards $1.34 million in park grants

Mar 17, 2016 12:02 PM Mar 17, 2016 12:05 PM

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EDWARDSVILLE – Acting on the recommendation of the Madison County Park and Recreation Grant Commission, the County Board unamiously voted Wednesday to authorize the distribution of 30 Park Enhancement Grants totaling $1,343,398.66 to municipalities and park districts in the county.

The grants awarded by the Grant Commission will be enhanced through revenue provided by the cities, villages and townships to finance more than 90 projects throughout the county. The projects funded by the grants range from water parks to walking paths, from baseball and soccer fields to tennis and pickleball courts. The grants funds are also being used to repair park facilities and maintanence equipment

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“While there are countless reasons to be proud of Madison County, I am particularly proud of our extensive system of the bicycle and and walking trails managed and maintained by Madison County Transit (MCT), and the hundreds of parks found throughout our great county,” stated Madison County Chairman Alan J. Dunstan.

“Every day of the year in parks throughout Madison County you can find people of all ages bicycling, skating and swimming, playing baseball and softball, or simply sitting on a park bench enjoying watching ducks on a lake and enjoying a sunny day,” continued Dunstan. “Our great parks enhance our quality of life and make Madison County an even better place to live and raise a family.”

In the more than 15 years since the Park Enhancement Program was created, more than $15 million in grants have been awarded to support and enhance the county’s community parks. The Madison County Park and Recreation District was created by a vote of Madison County residents in November, 2000. The district is funded by a 1/10^th of one percent sales tax which is administered by the Madison County Community Development department operating under the direction of the Madison County Park and Recreation Grant Commission.

Dunstan said a key point frequently overlooked is the economic benefits of a successful park program. “The parks create jobs for hundreds of Madison County residents of all ages. Companies looking to locate a business or facility take into consideration the parks and recreational facilities that are available for use by employees and their families.”

“The fact Madison County has excellent parks can be the deciding factor in a company moving to Madison County and creating hundreds of jobs for our residents,” Dunstan said.

2016 Madison County Park Enhancement Grants

Alhambra Township

Amount Requested: $15,000.00

Scope of Project:

Alhambra Township Park

Backstop behind the hockey goals
New energy efficient lights for hockey rink, wiring for the lights and concrete work for the lights
Field dirt for ball diamonds, bat racks, field chalker, safety bases, pitching mound, field pump and base plugs

Alton Park & Recreation

Amount Requested: $138,655.00

Scope of Project:

Gordon Moore Park

Hopkins Field Lighting Upgrades
Construct new pavilion at concession 1
Equipment to relocate concession for ADA restroom at concession 1
Purchase tables for pavilion 1
Purchase infield mix for ball diamond
Relocate access road at Bathhouse to provide additional recreation area at lake and Oriental Garden

Haskell House

Roof improvements

Olin Park

Seal and restripe courts

Hellrung Park

Seal and restripe courts

Dog Park

Purchase recycle bins, trash bins and tables

Village of Bethalto

Amount Requested: $47,900.00

Scope of Project:

Town & Country Swimming Pool in Central Park

Loan repayment and increase of costs from plumbing issues

Chouteau Township

Amount Requested: $20,975.00

Scope of Project:

Chouteau Township Park

Repayment of PEP loan
Construction of a new fence
Sustainability grant match

Collinsville Area Recreation District

Amount Requested: $165,200.00

Scope of Project:

CARD Administration Building

Addition of crushed limestone to ball fields
Purchase of recreation equipment: baseballs, bats, pickle ball paddles, volleyballs
Purchase of supplies and equipment for special events such as pumpkin carving knives, wood working crafts, table cloths for art classes
Repair brick walkway to be ADA compliant

Arlington Golf Course

Renovate restrooms to be ADA compliant
Improve the front entrance
Improve drainage on holes 5 and 6
Repave hole 1 to address aesthetics and ADA issues

Pleasant Ridge Park

Improve landscaping by pavilion and playground
Purchase benches and fencing for new archery range
Purchase targets/bows/arrows/safety equipment for archery range

Glidden Park

Creation of ADA parking and path to access restrooms
Replacement of water fountains for ADA reasons

Splash City Water Park

Painting of the leisure pool and toddler pool
Replacement of water features at Monsoon Mountain

Willoughby Farm

Improve drainage behind the barn
Installation of gutters at the house, barn, and pavilion
Installation of permeable pavers by the restrooms and pavilion to be ADA compliant

Woodland Park

Create ADA parking for Lions and Rotary Pavilion
Replacement of fountain wire for the lake
Replacement of water fountains for ADA reasons
Installation of time locks on restrooms
Creation of ADA path, fence repairs, and drying agents to Tomahawk field

Schnucks Park

Regrade/reseed lake dam
Repair gazebo, paint playground and improve landscaping

Sports Complex

Addition of drying agents to fields 2,4 and 5

East Alton

Amount Requested: $31,480.00

Scope of Project:

Keasler Recreation Complex

Loan repayment for Keasler Renovation

Van Preter Park

Purchase and install turface on ball fields
Purchase new chalk machine, infield drag and padding

City of Edwardsville

Amount Requested: $133,155.00

Scope of Project:

Spray and Play Park

Splash pad features for new park

Edwardsville Township

Amount Requested: $15,000.00

Scope of Project:

Township Park

Bring restroom facility #2 into ADA compliance with installation of new toilets, hand dryers, occupancy sensors, new sinks, doors and soap dispensers

Foster Township

Amount Requested: $20,135.00

Scope of Project:

Foster Township Park:

Rough plumbing, concrete for restroom facility
Interior completion of facility with ceilings, walls, flooring, and furnace

Village of Glen Carbon

Amount Requested: $64,790.00

Scope of Project:

Miner Park

ADA upgrades to walking paths
Make ADA upgrades to playground equipment

Village Hall Park

Purchase new scag mower

Village of Godfrey

Amount Requested: $90,625.00

Scope of Project:

Homer Adams Park

Replace playground

Granite City Park District:

Amount Requested: $150,950.00

Scope of Project:

Wilson Park

Shelter project which includes demolition/reconstruction of 6-8 shelters and a new concrete pad for shelter 1
Wood fiber fall protection installation for all parks
Purchase and installation of new 12’ foot spiral slide
Rebuild main pool pump

Village of Hamel

Amount Requested: $15,000.00

Scope of Project:

Hamel Community Park/Building

Replace/Install new tennis court surface, replace fencing, enclosure around tennis court to ensure ADA compliance, replace center drain on center court

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Village of Hartford

Amount Requested: $15,000.00

Scope of Project:

Seventh Street Park

Purchase 3 ADA universal picnic tables, one Dew Drop water feature for the splash pad, 2 BBQ Grills, 2 sets of basic aluminum bleachers, add 2, 12 foot high canopy baseball backstops, add 2 pro-style base sets and purchase one pallet of field chalk

City of Highland

Amount Requested: $48,637.66

Scope of Project:

Glik Park