ASHLAND — The county’s allocation of Community Development Block Grant money will go to Bailey Lakes to install two parks in the village.
The unanimous move by county commissioners on Thursday comes after three entities (Loudonville and ACCESS are the two others) applied for the money for various projects.
Nikki Hiller, the county’s administrator for CDBG funds, recommended the $140,000 grant be awarded to Bailey Lakes. She said the village has tried to improve its park offerings to residents for years.
Ariel Isaacs, the village’s council president, said each park will serve the east and west side of Bailey Lakes, which is currently divided by a busy U.S. Route 250.
“The speed limit there is 45,” she said. “Obviously there’s people who speed. To prevent kids from going to the park on their own and crossing (U.S. Route 250), we are requesting two parks.”
Ringler Park, the larger of the two, will be located at the intersection of Highland Boulevard and Wesley Street. Isaacs said the park will feature a jungle gym, swings, rockers and spinners.
The other smaller park, which officials plan to name “Lakeview Park,” will be located along Lake Drive and situated on property overseeing Savannah Lake. Isaacs said it will feature a jungle gym and swings.
“I really truly believe, right now, especially, where kids are inside watching TV, playing video games, iPads — I think that this is something that will be huge to get kids outside playing,” Isaacs said.
Other projects from Loudonville, ACCESS
Loudonville, according to the village’s grant application, wanted to use CDBG money for installing nearly 3,400 feet of sidewalk. The project was estimated to cost $78,100.
The sidewalk would have been placed on either side of North Union Street, from East Campbell Street to Stone Meadow Circle.
ACCESS, a nonprofit offering temporary shelter to women and families, applied for $9,900 to fix a water and sewer line in two apartment units on Claremont Avenue.