Valley parks to receive $2.2M in ODNR funds

The State Controlling Board also released funds for a youth shelter in Youngstown.

By Marc Kovac

COLUMBUS — The state Controlling Board OK’d more than $50,000 for park improvements in Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

The projects were among those receiving a total of $2.2 million in funding through the NatureWorks grant program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

In Mahoning County, $19,957 will be used to develop a pavilion at Crandall Park in Youngstown, and $15,975 will be used to renovate two basketball courts at Austintown Township Park.

And in Columbiana County, $13,492 will be used for the 18th Street playground in Wellsville, while $5,406 will go toward the purchase of park stoves and picnic tables and electrical improvements at Willow Grove Park in Lisbon.

A total of 170 applications seeking upward of $5.2 million were submitted for consideration for NatureWorks grants this year. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recommended funding for 93 of them.

In other business, the Controlling Board approved $500,000 for the Mahoning Valley Trail in northeastern Stark County and $71,050 for trail improvements in Craig Beach. At Lake Milton, funding will go toward the construction of an Ohio trails information center, restrooms and signs along the Ohio -Cross State bike route.

ODNR received 40 applications for Clean Ohio trail funds. A total of 26 receive funding this year, with grants totaling $6.2 million.

Also Monday, the Controlling Board released $62,500 for a Youngstown shelter for runaways and homeless youth. The funds will be used by the Family Service Agency in Youngstown to expand counseling, office, recreation, kitchen and dining space.