Earle makes final pitch for FUN grant

Earle makes final pitch for FUN grant

Committee will have final say on city receiving funds for park

news@theeveningtimes.com

They’ve made their pitch and now Earle’s application for $50,000 to enhance the area around its walking trail by the community is in the hands of a committee who will make the final decision.

The city applied in August for a Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods – or FUN grant – through Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to turn the area around walking trail into a more park-like setting.

Earle made the final cut and Mayor Sherman Smith met with the committee making the decision on Oct. 26 in Jacksonville to explain the project and answer any questions.

Smith said he is optimistic that the city will get the funding.

“I think it went well,” Smith said. “They only asked me one question — whether there was any equipment there now. I explained to them where everything will be situated the grounds on our plan that we submitted. I let them know that we are trying to do something for the seniors and tie it to the community center and walking trail, and that we wanted to create a better impression of the city for people passing through who can see it from the highway.”

FUN grants are targeted for areas of the state which lack park amenities.

The money helps assist cities in developing basic neighborhood outdoor recreational facilities.

The city is hoping to use the money to add more trees and landscaping, along with benches, playground equipment, and a pavilion to make the area more welcoming and user friendly.

The community center is located on Hwy. 64 and has been recently renovated and is seeing more use by residents.

The city scored all 4’s, which is the highest score, in all but two categories for a total of 20 points.

The city missed out on points which are given to cities with populations under 1,250 and 500, and only got two points each on handicap accessibility and for not having received any grants in the last ten years.

They got 4’s for having clear title to the land, evidence of community outreach, having price quotes from contractors, and for having engaged an engineer on the project.

Smith said he isn’t sure when they will make a decision.

“They didn’t say,” Smith said. “But I feel good about it. I think we have a really good project.”

By Mark Randall