Richardson Announces Grant Funds for Local Parks

COLUMBUS – State Representative Tracy Richardson announced the State Controlling Board approved the release of grant funding for more than 100 local NatureWorks projects, including several in Marion and Union counties.

NatureWorks projects are funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue which was approved by Ohio voters in November 1993. 

“This program supports local projects in our state that provide recreational opportunities for Ohio families,” said Richardson (R-Marysville). “Parks provide meaningful quality of life for residents. I’m happy we can appropriate the dollars to support our communities.”

Area projects in this latest round of grants include:

·         Marion County - $82,448 for development of a parking lot, concrete walkway and basketball court improvements at Prospect Park;

·         Union County - $82,206 for resurfacing and upgrades to the basketball court at Pastime Park in Plain City.

These were among 115 projects being awarded a combined $5.2 million from this latest round of NatureWorks grant funding.

The NatureWorks grant program provides up to 75 percent reimbursement assistance for local government subdivisions (townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts, and conservancy districts) for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas.

Since NatureWorks' inception, the grant has funded over 2,300 public park projects in all 88 counties.