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Town receives $100,000 grant for town park

WASHINGTON — It’s the kind of money that will make a real difference to patrons of the town park. A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was announced by County Executive Marcus Molinaro on Thursday, April 4; $100,000 was awarded to the town of Washington (TOW), to make Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements at the Town Park on Route 44.

CDBG awards are granted for economic development, housing rehabilitation, public facilities and large-scale physical development projects.

Getting the award for public facilities will allow for the door openings at the bathhouse to be widened for wheelchair accessibility; showers will also be made accessible as will toilet stalls and sinks. Other upgrades will be made, including grab bars, mirrors, lighting and some ADA signage will be installed.

“We’re thrilled to be granted the money for the bathrooms,” said Chelsea Edson, director of TOW Recreation Department. “We’re always looking for ways to give back to our patrons as well as improve our facilities. This is a great benefit to the community.”

Other CDBG grants in the past have allowed the town to make improvements to the entrance of Town Hall. A lift was installed to help disabled residents navigate the front steps. The existing doorway was enlarged to accommodate wheelchairs. Handicapped parking in the rear parking lot has also been added. 

“The CDBG is an annual grant, which we apply for if we have needs that meet the criteria,” Town Clerk Mary Alex said. “It’s also income-based, so we usually can’t  apply for too much.”

According to town Supervisor Gary Ciferri, the application was filed just before deadline. 

“Mary Alex is the one who was able to recognize the need for ADA conformity at the park, so we put in the paperwork,” he said. “Having been awarded the grant, now we’re excited to begin. We’re looking forward to getting started”

In previous years, block grants have helped pay for the fishing dock at the Town Park; enhancing the playgrounds; building the mini-golf course at the large pavilion; and the construction of the bridge that connects the two parks, lower and upper.

“The grant allows us to make improvements to the town and that’s so important,” said the supervisor. “We knew that the bathrooms and shower stalls were not adequate for the handicapped, and we want all children to be able to enjoy what the Town Park has to offer, so we applied, and now we can make those changes that will meet with ADA standards.”

The Town Park is open three seasons out of the year. There is a summer camp there, public swimming and fields for soccer and other  sports. It’s also a favorite place for families to gather in the summer months.

Lakeville Journal

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