COLUMBUS — Parks in Butler and Crestline will be among those receiving Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant funding for improvements to their respective facilities.
The Village of Butler will receive $57,273 to replace existing courts and create pickleball courts at Frances Hitchman Park. This is part of the Hitchman Park Renovation and
Pickleball Court Addition project.
The Village of Crestline will receive $51,094 as part of the Crestline Community Park
Acquisition project. These funds will be used to acquire a 31-acre parcel across from Crestline High School to create a public park.
These funds are available thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) NatureWorks grant program. ODNR approved more than $2.9 million in project funding that will be distributed across 76 projects that will improve outdoor recreational opportunities for Ohioans across the state.
“We take pride in our parks because they are an important central gathering place in our local communities,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “We hope the projects funded by these grants will encourage more Ohioans to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family.”
The 76 projects span across 64 counties in Ohio. Awardees will use the funding to buy new park land and develop new or renovated playgrounds, which include splashpads, sports courts including pickleball and basketball courts.
Other project needs include trails and walking paths, pavilions, exercise equipment, and other park amenities such as restrooms, lighting, and parking.
“We want Ohioans to be able to discover an amazing park in their own backyard and that’s why we support our local parks,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “These grants allow communities to grow their love of nature and exploration.”
NatureWorks grants provide up to 75% reimbursement assistance to local government subdivisions (townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts and conservancy districts) for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas.
Projects are funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue, which was approved by Ohioans in November 1993. Additional legislation authorized the creation of the NatureWorks Grant Program.