Edwardsville receives $133,155 county grant toward new Spray & Play Park
From Illinois Business Journal news services
EDWARDSVILLE — The city of Edwardsville today announced that it received a Park Enhancement Grant from Madison County Community Development for $133,155 to help fund splash features to be installed at the new Spray & Play Park.
The park, located at the corner of South Main Street and Schwarz Street near downtown, will open this summer.
Mayor Hal Patton said the money will fund nearly all of the visible spray features that families will enjoy.
“We are so grateful to Madison County Community Development for this funding,” he said. “Construction is in full swing at the park so we are excited to see it take shape and to welcome families from throughout the region to Edwardsville to share in this park and its many features.”
Plans include a splash pad and dry playground designed with special ADA standards built into the site. The park will also include a walking/fitness track, shade structures, pavilions, restrooms/changing rooms as well as native plantings with interpretive signage and a butterfly garden.
Sponsorships are a key component in the development, from corporations and residents.
“If every family in Edwardsville put $10 toward these projects, we would be really close to meeting our goal and would be able to fund all three parks projects,” Patton said.
The other two parks in development include an Ice Rink & Teen Center to be located on Edwardsville School District 7 grounds off of Governors’ Parkway and a Sports Park for baseball, softball, soccer, pickleball, tennis and more located on Ridgeview Road just west of Interstate 55. Sponsorship and donations are also needed to help fund these parks so construction can begin.
For the Spray & Play Park, three area sponsors have already pledged donations. Edwardsville Rotary Club ($30,000); Junior Service Club of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon ($40,000), First Clover Leaf Bank ($10,000) and Global Brew ($5,000).
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.betterplacetoplay.com or call Katie Grable at (618) 692-7538.
