Council moves forward on park

GENTRY - Council members voted unanimously to move forward with a proposal to make city-owned property along Dawn Hill East Road into a park by choosing a professional to design the park and to apply for a grant to do the work.

Per the council’s request on Oct. 4, the land was surveyed. A professional to help the city with a design and plan for the park will be chosen at the next council meeting (possibly a special one called to consider the 2011 budget).

The council hopes to apply for a $100,000 grant through the Wildlife Recreation Facilities GrantProgram. A new grant cycle opened Monday, with applications to be submitted by March 19, 2011. The grant would not require matching funds from the city.

The objective of the Wildlife Recreation Facilities Grant Program is to ignite interest in the natural, cultural, scenic beauty, fish, wildlife and other natural resources of Arkansas and to promote economic development in a healthy and environmentally sound manner, according the Arkansas Department of Rural Services Web site.

Up to $100,000 in grant money toward a single project is available, with $500,000 available per fiscal year.

Incorporated cities and towns and unincorporated communities in rural areas of less than 20,000 in population (verifiable by current U.S. Census Information) are eligible to apply for assistance through the Wildlife Recreation Facilities Grant Program.

Eligible projects include but are not limited to the construction or renovation of the following facilities:

◊Community fishing ponds;

◊Firing ranges;

◊Fishing access piers;

◊Archery ranges;

◊Fish cleaning stations;

◊Canoe or boat launches; and

◊Observation platforms and blinds.

Costs eligible for grant funding include, but arenot limited to: Materials for construction; Labor directly related to the construction of the proposed project; Interpretive or directional signage directly related to the proposed project; Design fees; Parking, sidewalks, and other access construction directly related to the proposed project.

Council members are proposing that the area be turned into a natural outdoor area for walking, picnicking and possibly fishing.

Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Bev Saunders, who made the city aware of the grant funding, suggested the new park could be both a park and a natural outdoor learning center.

News, Pages 8 on 11/03/2010