Published: January 07, 2009 05:34 pm         

Council will try for two matching grants

GUN BARREL CITY- Tuesday night’s council meeting discussion was worth a million bucks, literally.

A plan for new city parks that will require grant funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was presented.

Each grant given will be matched by the city, making this a $1.15 million project, provided state grants are awarded.

Gun Barrel City will know at the end of the summer if the grants have been approved.

Much of the city’s financial obligation will be covered by the Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation contributions and in kindness donations.

At Brawner Hall, City council voted unanimously to apply for the grants in reference to the Master Parks and Trail Plan.

“This is an exciting time for Gun Barrel,” said Gerry Boren, city manager. “It’s time to improve the quality of life in Gun Barrel City.”

The first grant is called the Outdoor Recreation Grant, worth $500,000. To match that amount, the city will be taking from the city’s park fund and Economic Development Corporation donations.

West of the police station on Meadow Lane is the planned location of the 26 acre park. Its features will include:

• two soccer fields, one regulation size, the other U-12;

• pathways around and through the park with circuit training exercise stations provided along the way;

• a plaza with seating;

• warm up areas;

• picnic tables to be relocated around the already existing lake

• two tennis courts with picnic tables;

• an outdoor basketball court;

• a fishing pier over the lake

• over looking the lake will be more picnic tables under a 25X50 foot pavilion with rest rooms and a concessions stand and;

• sixteen horseshoe pits.

There are three existing baseball fields already located within the 26 acres.

Boren said he is hoping to bring back Little League to Gun Barrel City and he would like to see lighting on the fields.

To light one field would cost $120,000.

Boren also said one field could possibly be targeted for a challenger field for handicap teams.

“It’s going to be valuable to the community if we’re awarded the money,” said future Parks and Recreation Supervisor, David Morrow. He has been working for the city for three years and has served with the street department.

Another grant, the Small Community Park Grant, worth up to $75,000 will fund the east section of the park, located north east of the police station on Meadow Lane.

This is the proposed site for a 20X40 foot pavilion and event stage.

Two new U-10 soccer fields will be located on either side of this pavilion. Tri-County Soccer Association has donated the goals for each field, including the ones located on the west side of the park.

Perimeter drive and parking will provide access for vehicles at the center south end of this 4.06 acre plot.

Enhanced paving will come in handy for local farm-to-market produce vendors who will be allowed to sell goods there.

“It’s going to open up a lot of activities for children and families,” Morrow said. “just some good, clean outdoor fun.”

Gun Barrel City employees will work with volunteers and organizations to build the park.

Five acres of land worth $295,000 have already been donated by the Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation to make building possible.

EDC is also responsible for cash funding to be used for development on either side of the park. The west side will receive $125,000 and the east side will receive $75,000.

Grand total of contributions made by the EDC comes to $495,000.

Around 400 trees will be planted through out the park, some of which are a donation from Tawakoni Plant Farm in Wills Point, the same company that donated over 100 Crepe Myrtles on Main Street and other locations around town.

“It’s a positive thing in this lake area that hasn’t been here in a while,” Morrow said.

Already, the city has had volunteers come forward to contribute their time into the project.

Mabank High School boy’s athletic department has already promised a collective 350 hours of labor from the baseball, varsity basketball and tennis teams.

With the help of the community, this three year project will bring the community together with the goal of accomplishing something together.

First, is getting the grant.

“I feel good about this plan, it (the grant) should be awarded,” Boren said. “It’s all about the points, and we’ve got a lot of community support... from the high school to the little old lady down the road.”

     

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