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Parks Director Bobby Reneau, left, watched as Clinton County Road Department employee Buster Stearns worked to remove a large stump at Mountain View Rec Park last week, while other members of the Road Department can be seen in the background trimming trees along the walking path. Several large stumps were removed in the picnic area at the park’s entrance, to make room for a renovation project that will include new tables, grills and trash cans.

In Thursday, May 1 2008 issue

The Clinton County Rec/Park Board held its regular meeting last Thursday at the park with ten members present of the approximate half-hour May session.

The board was updated on the ways funds from a Land & Conservation grant applied for in conjunction with the county is now being put to use.

The board--applying through Clinton Fiscal Court several months ago--was awarded the matching grant in the amount of $20,500. Funds can be used for a limited, yet a variety of projects. Purchases are made by the county on behalf of the park board.

Paula Little, a park board member who had written the grant application, informed the board that the county was being very cooperative in the project effort and several improvements can already be seen, with more on the way.

For example, grant funds have already been used for new basketball goals, sand and nets for the volleyball courts, among other things. New grills--for the picnic shelters and Farmer’s Market, as well as picnic tables are also on order.

Little also noted that the county had offered in-kind assistance by helping with removing tree stumps at the park, adding a concrete pad and topsoil in some areas.

Apparently a lot of matching funds to go along with the grant is available for further improvements. She also noted it would be helpful if the Park Board added funding for some projects as well and after some discussion, a motion made by board member Junior Gregory to purchase new picnic tables for the heavily used Marlow Shelter. The motion passed by unanimous vote.

During approval of the treasurer’s report, which showed a fund balance of a little less than $4,000, it was noted that the funds from the county had just been received in the amount of $12,500 that would be added to the total, as well as receipts from concession stand sales. This would bring the total funds to around $19,000, according to board treasurer Charlotte Dalton.

Park Director Bobby Reneau also estimated that over $2,500 in concession receipts were taken in on opening day--minus food expenses--and it was estimated around $500 to $800 per day was being taken in from concession sales.

Reneau also thanked the Albany Little League board for their help at the park, especially for the opening day events and games.

Board Chairman Chris Lovelace gave a brief update on Little League and Middle School softball, noting both activities were in full swing and games were being played at the park four evenings per week--all nights except Wednesdays, and make-up games Saturday mornings. Game time starts are 5:30 and 7 p.m. week nights and 10 a.m. for make-up games on Saturdays.

Parking was again briefly discussed, and although it has always been a problem, the board is continuing to take avenues to help locate more parking space and funds to make adding extra parking a reality.

In other business, the board:

* Approved Susan Conner to assist Mike Watts with coordinating the annual Senior Games, held each fall at the park and other locations. The Senior Games is a competition for persons 50 and up that begin with local competitions and qualifiers also compete in state and national competitions in various sporting events.

* Voted to purchase additional key locks and keys for the Farmers Market building.

Mountain View Park, under the guidance and work of the park board and director, is one of the most used facilities in the county--not only for ball games, but a wide range of sporting activities for the general public. Those events include family reunions, meetings, school activities and other events.

For information on scheduling an event or use of a shelter at the park, contact Park Director Bobby Reneau or any park board member.

The next regular meeting of the Rec/Park Board is scheduled for Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m. at Mt. View Park.