Projects pertaining to parks and recreation in Granville County have received funding during the county’s annual grant cycle, according to the County’s Management Analyst Charla Duncan. These projects, which focused on areas outside the city limits of larger municipalities, were approved by the county’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and by the Granville County Board of Commissioners. Special consideration was given to areas not in close proximity to existing recreational facilities.
Funding was approved for the following projects in the 2018/2019 fiscal year:
- Grassy Creek Community Center ($25,000) for playground equipment and installation;
- Toler Community Reach Out Club ($25,000) for equipment purchase, installation and field maintenance;
- Town of Stem ($25,000) for purchase and installation of playground equipment, as well as replacement costs and repairs;
- Oxford Preparatory School ($25,000) for a walking trail; and
- Granville County Chamber of Commerce ($5,000) for the Alive After Five outdoor concert series.
The application process for these grants was a competitive one, Duncan explained, with recreational priorities that included walking trails, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, biking trails, picnic shelters/tables, pickleball, dog parks, basketball and inclusive recreational equipment and opportunities for youth and adults of varying needs. Also considered priorities were facilities and activities not requiring a membership fee, as well as open park space for family-friendly activities.
“I am very excited that these new projects give residents across the county better access to recreational equipment,” Comm. Sue Hinman stated. “Parents can now take their children to play closer to where they live.”
The Granville County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is made up of seven volunteer members, with one voting member from each district, as appointed by Commissioners representing each district of the county. The committee meets at 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Thornton Library in Oxford. Serving as chair of the committee is Michael McFadden. Other members serving on this committee include Joshua Averette, Bessie Bailey, Betty Lou Davis, Ruth Hicks, Ivan Washburn and Jimmy Williams.
The next grant cycle will have an application period of Dec. 1, 2018 through Feb. 1, 2019.
(Photo on home page: children at play at the Toler Community Reach Out Club’s playground in the Oak Hill Community.)