CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper says the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) is giving out nearly $5 million to fund 16 projects across the state, including $425,000 to the City of Monroe.
“We are extremely happy and excited not only to receive this grant, but also to get started on this project,” says Tonya Edwards, Monroe Parks and Recreation Director. “We have dedicated a great deal of time and money to include amenities that will be fantastic additions for our entire community.”
City officials say they are creating an additional parking area and entrance to the park along North Charlotte Avenue, and with the new grant they will create a playground/splashpad, a new restroom, shelter, a six-station outdoor fitness area, corn hole, table tennis, renovation of bocce ball courts, and they are completing paving for the walking trails.
Out of 66 applications in North Carolina for the grant, Monroe was chosen and Edwards says, “We are very excited and feel very fortunate that our project has been chosen out of a pool of so many very worthy projects.”
City officials say the roughly 14-acre park just north of Downtown Monroe, Belk-Tonawanda Park, has been a gathering place for the community for a long time.
“Local parks and greenways have been a safe place for North Carolinians to relax, exercise, and improve their quality of life during the stress of the pandemic,” says Cooper. “These grants will add and expand parks, trails, and recreational facilities to communities across our state, creating opportunities to enjoy North Carolina’s natural beauty.”
The N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority considered 66 grant applications requesting $20.5 million to fund land acquisition, development, and renovation of public park and recreation areas, according to a news release.
Officials say each year the Authority is required to give 30 percent of its funding to local government projects, and whoever gets a grant must match funds for the awarded amount.
The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered through the state Division of Parks and Recreation, according to a news release.
The Monroe project is expected to start in 2021, and a timeline for completion will be given after construction contracts are made, according to a news release.
