The Recreation Park ineffectually learned they may be closer to obtaining enough funds through matching grants and donations to help purchase the much discussed new playground equipment, as well as doing some other improvement projects such as re-paving the walking track.

The park was scheduled to hold its regular meeting last Thursday, October 30. However, the plaguing problem of not being able to have a quorum again occurred, as only six board members, along with Park Director Bobby Reneau, were in attendance, at least one member shy of conducting official business.

Those members who were on hand, however, did briefly discuss the funding status for new playground equipment with Board Member Paula Little, who has been working hard the past several months in conjunction with the Healthy Hometown Coalition and others to obtain matching grant money for the playground and other improvements to the park.

Working with groups like the newly formed Clinton County Community Coalition, at least one $10,000 grant has been secured as well as other donations from Cumberland Family Medical, Keystone Foods and around $4,700 that has already been set aside from other fundraisers to help use as a match to raise enough funding for the project.

Little said the application for a grant through the Healthy Hometown program would be known sometime in December.

The board also briefly discussed securing a park planner who could design what the park needs now, i.e. improved walking track, ball fields, etc. for both now and in the future.

Reneau also reported the park had again been the target of vandalism, which included painting on buildings and pavement and damage to part of the concession stand, among others.

The board members opted to begin closing the outside gates to the park at dark, leaving open the walking track gates for foot traffic only through the fall and winter months, with Reneau saying things would begin being shutdown (such as electrical use, etc.) at the park this week.

The next meeting of the Recreation Park Board will be itsannual dinner meeting at the Horseshoe Grill, the second week in December, with the exact date and time to be announced later.