Brandon Twp.- A mother with her two children recently approached Recreation Director Fred Waybrant at the township community park located at 1414 N. Hadley Road.
Waybrant was working on rubber flooring to go under the universally accessible playground structure installed this summer and the kids wanted to know when they could play on the equipment.
A lack of money has meant slow-going on installation of sidewalks and the matting needed for safety and completion of the project. But if a motion to appropriate all funds necessary to complete a grant that made the playground possible is not passed by the township at their board meeting set for 7:30 p.m., Nov. 16, at the township offices, 395 Mill St., it could stall progress on the playground, as well as other improvements planned for the park.
‘I think it would be detrimental to future grant awards if we fail to complete this,? said Supervisor Kathy Thurman, who will also bring a proposal before the board to appropriate cell tower funds, for which the township receives a little more than $60,000 per year, to complete the grant.
The playground project is part of phase 1 for the park, which opened in May 2008. The playground, which meets all Americans with Disabilities Act compliance standards, is part of a package that is being funded in part by a Department of Natural Resources Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant. The township won the $75,000 grant, which they must match, in December 2008. The grant funds, combined with $20,600 in a park fund, gave the township $170,600 to spend on the playground ($80,000), a magic carpet ride lift station for the sledding hill ($71,400), lighting for the lift station ($7,000), and the 6,080 square foot trail ($12,200 including a path/labor/playground base/sidewalk).
The township spends the grant money, and is later reimbursed by the DNR. In recent months, as the board has struggled with budget cuts, Treasurer Terry Beltramo has been vocal about his opposition to spending money on park projects, despite the board’s June 1 approval of a total of $91,200 to be spent on the playground portion of the grant, as well as the 6-0 passage of an April 6 resolution to uphold all terms of the grant agreement. The grant expires Aug. 31 and all grant funds must be spent by this time. At the latest township board meeting, a grant extension was discussed; however, Waybrant said extensions are rarely granted by the DNR and lack of money is not considered a good reason.
‘When we applied for the grant, we signed a resolution saying we had the money,? said Waybrant. ‘If we don’t complete the grant by next August, they would come and evaluate… They could deny the grant completely (if it is not finished) and we would have to refund any money issued. They are not in the business of taking grants away, but it would be embarrassing, and there is no reason why this can’t be finished. Let’s just do it and get it out of the way and let the community enjoy it.? The township has currently spent more than half the total allotment for the grant, about $95,000, on the playground which meets all Americans with Disabilities Act specifications. Waybrant notes the playground geared for 5-12-year-olds with a capacity for 105 children is not just a swingset, and the grant also includes funds for the sledding hill lift station, and lighting for the sledding hill, playground, and skating rink. Once lighting is installed, the park will have a 9:30 p.m. closing time in winter, as opposed to the current time of 5:30 p.m.
Waybrant stressed that tax dollars are not being spent on the grant, rather, the township is using cell tower funds and recreation programming fees. Donations to the Build-a-Park Club have also been used and in-kind services and community volunteers have been an immense help. He estimates the township has received $380,000 in donations and in-kind services for the park.
‘I think we’re doing pretty good for the funding we have, because the community has stepped up and helped tremendously in developing this park,? said Waybrant, who is currently seeking volunteers to finish installation of the playground flooring before the weather turns.
Details: 248-627-4640.