Northampton applies for state funds to build playgrounds
Playground equipment news: Northampton applies for state funds to build playgrounds
NORTHAMPTON – The City Council has authorized the borrowing of $250,000 to meet the conditions of a state program that provides money for playgrounds.
The Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs has notified all 54 cities in the state that they are eligible for up to $200,000 from its new program, Our Common Backyards. As a show of support, cities that apply must authorize the borrowing of that amount. However, Northampton will not spend the $200,000, according to Mayor David J. Narkewicz.
“It’s a way for us to demonstrate that the city supports the program,” he said.
The state money would enable the city to build playgrounds at Lampron Park and the new Florence Fields Recreation Area. Plans for Florence Fields include a playground, but there has been no funding for this feature until now.
“In some ways it was a perfect match,” Narkewicz said.
Lampron Park is situated across from the Bridge Street Elementary School on Route 9, but is not school property. Although Bridge Street already has a playground, it lacks a swing set. Narkewicz is hoping that the new structure in Lampron will compensate for this. Under the conditions of the program, the grants can only be used in city parks. At its meeting, the council also transferred oversight of Lampron Park from the Board of Public Works to the Recreation Commission.
Participating cities must contribute $50,000 of their own funds as a condition of the program. Narkewicz said the Recreation Commission is applying for Community Preservation Act funds for that amount.
NORTHAMPTON – The City Council has authorized the borrowing of $250,000 to meet the conditions of a state program that provides money for playgrounds.
The Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs has notified all 54 cities in the state that they are eligible for up to $200,000 from its new program, Our Common Backyards. As a show of support, cities that apply must authorize the borrowing of that amount. However, Northampton will not spend the $200,000, according to Mayor David J. Narkewicz.
“It’s a way for us to demonstrate that the city supports the program,” he said.
The state money would enable the city to build playgrounds at Lampron Park and the new Florence Fields Recreation Area. Plans for Florence Fields include a playground, but there has been no funding for this feature until now.
“In some ways it was a perfect match,” Narkewicz said.
Lampron Park is situated across from the Bridge Street Elementary School on Route 9, but is not school property. Although Bridge Street already has a playground, it lacks a swing set. Narkewicz is hoping that the new structure in Lampron will compensate for this. Under the conditions of the program, the grants can only be used in city parks. At its meeting, the council also transferred oversight of Lampron Park from the Board of Public Works to the Recreation Commission.
Participating cities must contribute $50,000 of their own funds as a condition of the program. Narkewicz said the Recreation Commission is applying for Community Preservation Act funds for that amount.
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