Grant would improve Findlay parks

The city of Findlay is once again pursuing a grant from the Hancock County Park District to make improvements to its parks, including more upgrades to Riverside Park. The park district offers improvement grants each year to communities in the county. Findlay council authorized this year's grant application at its July 18 regular meeting. In a letter to city council dated June 29, Service-Safety Director Rob Martin said the city is applying for $40,000 in grant money for three projects. "These funds are at no cost to the community and do not require matching funds. The city of Findlay has completed many projects in its parks using these grant dollars," Martin said. This year, the city has applied for $32,000 to make more improvements at Riverside Park. A total of $22,000 would be spent for the restoration of the main restroom and electrical building at the park. The restoration would include removing loose and defective mortar joints, power washing the building, and tuck and point work on all defective mortar joints, then sealing the brick, according to Martin. The work would be performed by a local contractor. Another $10,000 would be spent to extend the stage at the Riverside Park Bandshell an additional 12 feet by 52 feet. Six inches of concrete would be poured over a brick foundation to make the new stage permanent. Martin said city crews would install the larger stage. Also, a total of $8,000 would be spent to make improvements at Emory Adams Park, 1827 S. Blanchard St. The project would replace the boards on a pedestrian bridge that crosses Eagle Creek on the east side of the park, along Brookside Drive. City crews also would make the repairs to the bridge, Martin said. Last year, a $14,780 improvement grant from the park district helped pay for the restoration of the Riverside Pool Bath House, 231 McManness Ave. The Hancock Park District contributes technical and financial assistance through annual Community Park Improvement Program Grants. According to the park district, it has been working since 1975 to cooperate with Findlay, the city of Fostoria and local villages to improve their parks. The district currently manages several city-owned and county-owned parks through cooperative agreements. The city of Findlay owns and manages 15 parks. Additional community parks exist in the villages of Arcadia, Bluffton, Vanlue, Mt. Blanchard, Arlington, Jenera, Rawson, Benton Ridge, Mt. Cory, McComb, Van Buren and the city of Fostoria.