Haskell receives grant funds for park

The City of Haskell has received special grant funding from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

The ADPHT has announced that more than $3.5 million in Outdoor Recreation Grants have been awarded to projects within 24 counties across the state, including Saline County.

The grants are divided into two categories: Matching Grants and Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods (FUN) Park Grants.

“These grants have a lasting impact on the communities that receive them,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the department. “We feel this is an investment into the health and well-being of our state’s youngest citizens, giving children a safe place to grow, learn and play.”

Haskell will receive $39,684.16 in matching grant funds to construct a pavilion and install picnic amenities, batting cages and bleachers at Haskell City Park.

“While the focus of our division may primarily be on State Parks, we also appreciate the importance of safe urban settings that provide quality recreation experiences,” said Grady Spann, director of Arkansas State Parks. “These grants reach the heart of our communities and we are proud to partner with local governments to make these happen.”

The Outdoor Recreation Grants Program (ORGP) has provided nearly $44.5 million in Matching Grants since 1988, and nearly

$10 million in FUN Park Grants since 1991, to cities and counties throughout the state for the development of public outdoor recreation facilities.

“Every year, our team of Project Officers provide planning and design assistance to municipalities and counties for proposed outdoor recreation facilities,” said John Beneke, director of the grants program. “Seeing these projects come full circle is a rewarding aspect of the job for all of us on the ORGP team.” According to a press release from the ADPHT, the

Project Officers make recommendations regarding the feasibility of proposed facilities, eligibility for grant monies administered by the ORGP and other facets of the planning process. Each year, nearly 200 site visits are conducted to assist local communities. Other 2021 Matching Grant recipients include:

• Atkins (Pope County) received $250,000 to develop a splash pad, playground, restroom, parking, accessible, walkways, fencing, site amenities and landscaping at a new park.

• Batesville (Independence County) received $184,341 to develop a new splash pad park and make accessibility and playground improvements to Kennedy Park.

• Berryville (Carroll County) received $242,493.50 to develop ADA-compliant parking, accessible walkways and replace pea gravel impact surface with engineered wood fiber at City Pool Park; install playground, shade structures, benches, fence, accessible walkways and ramps at Berryville Soccer Complex.

• Cabot (Lonoke County) received $87,186.43 to install shade structures at Allman/ Bevis Park; install pickleball courts at Veteran’s Park, and construct outdoor fitness stations connected by a walking trail at Templeton.

• Calhoun County received $75,056.06 to construct new bleachers and improve access at Hogskin Arena.

• Gravette (Benton County) receive $51,823.22 to replace existing bathroom facilities, replace existing obsolete play equipment and impact surfaces and develop accessible walkway to existing pavilions.

• Green Forest (Carroll County) received $131,760 to replace existing basketball court, rehab lighting, install fence, replace engineered wood fiber impact surface and develop accessible walkways at 6th Street Park; develop accessible walkways and improve drainage at Green Forest Soccer Fields.

• Hot Springs (Garland County) received $250,000 to construct a pavilion, play area and accessible walkways at Majestic Park.

• Hoxie (Lawrence County) received $250,000 to make accessibility and playground improvements to Hoxie City Park; acquire land, develop parking, walkways, pavilions, shade structures, playground, restrooms, basketball courts, water fountains, lighting, landscaping, benches and picnic tables at the new American Rails Park.

• Jonesboro (Craighead County) received $100,00 to develop a new park in downtown Jonesboro.

• Little Rock (Pulaski County) received $250,000 to construct new play structures and access improvements at MacArthur Park; install new play equipment, impact surfacing, “mini-pitch” and access improvements at Wakefield Park.

• Morrilton (Conway) received $86,711.63 to replace existing obsolete playground equipment and impact surfaces and develop accessible walkways to existing play areas at Morrilton City Park.

• Pleasant Plains (Independence County) received $26,841 to develop a walking trail and fencing for Pleasant Plains City Park.

• Pulaski County received $250,000 to construct an allinclusive playground at Two Rivers Park.

• Tontitown (Washington County) received $112,213 to replace an existing tennis courts with a multi-court facility, modify existing bocce ball court for wheelchair accessibility and replace obsolete play equipment at Harry Sbanotto Park.

• Walnut Ridge (Lawrence County) received $146,281.22 to make accessibility and fencing improvements to the baseball fields and walking trails, repair existing pavilions, improve existing playgrounds and swimming pool, install entrance sign and construct a disc golf course.

The list of the 2021 FUN Park Grant recipients include:

• Big Flat (Baxter County) received $73,073.72 for play equipment, permanent impact surfacing and accessible pathways at Big Flat Community Park.

• Fourche (Perry County) received $75,000 for playgrounds with impact surfaces, pavilions with picnic tables, benches, grills, trash receptacles and accessible walkways and parking at Fourche City Park.

• Fulton (Hempstead County) received $74,3000 for accessible sidewalks and walking paths, fencing, benches and picnic tables at Fulton City Park.

• Gillham (Sevier County) recieved $74,999.50 for new park including play equipment and impact surfaces, basketball facility, pavilion and park amenities at a new park.

• Griffithville (White County) received $69,308 to construct a pavilion with amenities, resurface existing walking trail and install paved parking space at Griffithville City Park.

• Harrell (Calhoun County) received $75,000 for play equipment, a shuffle board facility and park amenities at Harrell City Park.

• Horatio (Sevier County) received $74,999.50 for play equipment with impact surfaces, park amenities, accessible pathways and repair existing pavilion at Horatio City Park.

• Lamar (Johnson County) received $75,0000 to replace playground and impact surfaces at Cabin Creek Park.

• Lepanto (Johnson County) received $70,131.45 for new playground and accessible walkways to existing pavilions and restrooms at Lepanto City Park.

• Madison County-Huntsville received $75,000 for playground and impact surfaces, trash receptacles, benches and accessible walkways at Madison County Park.

• Reyno (Randolph County) received $49,650 for a walking trail and park lighting at Reyno City Park .

• Rockport (Hot Spring County) received $45,000 to construct a walking trail and accessible parking near the Rockport Community Center and firehouse.

• Scott County-Boles Community received $75,000 for play structure with impact surfaces, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, accessible walkways and parking at Boles Community Park.

• Summit (Marion County) received $75,000 for playground and impact surface, exercise trail, pavilion with picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, drainage structures, accessible walkways and parking and landscaping at Summit City Park.

The ORGP is housed within Arkansas State Parks and tasked with the promotion and facilitation of public outdoor recreation in Arkansas. To help accomplish these goals, the ORGP offers technical and funding assistance for land acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation facilities to local government throughout the state. Funding for Matching and FUN Park grants is provided by a portion of the Real Estate Transfer Tax administered by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

Visit OutdoorGrants. com to learn more about the Outdoor Recreation Grants Program or contact John