Even though summer’s over, children still need a place to get outside. And for many families, that place is their neighborhood park.
Erie County is investing $200,000 into six park projects across the county to help maintain and improve community recreational spaces.
A trip to the park doesn’t cost a family a thing, but keeping those spaces in good shape does. Across Erie County, six communities are receiving funding to support projects aimed at improving parks and outdoor amenities.
“With how the economy the way it is, these spaces are free, open every day, and that’s important that our kids can get, you know, safely walk and bike to safe parks,” said Wesleyville Borough Manager Marcus Jacobs.
Part of the funding will go toward improvements at Morrison Park in Wesleyville, which Jacobs said was in poor condition and needed significant upgrades.
“The park was very dilapidated and terrible condition had to be fully ripped out. It was not up to ADA compliance. It wasn’t up for safety or anything,” Jacobs said.
Other projects receiving funding include Albion’s pedestrian bridge, Girard’s Hotel Park, Greene Township’s park walking trail, Picnicana Park in Summit Township, and Wattsburg’s Harwood Tri-Community Park.
The funding comes through the county’s Greenways Program, which has helped support recreational spaces throughout Erie County.
County leaders say investments in parks do more than provide places for recreation. They also help improve quality of life and can make communities more attractive to businesses and future residents.
“To get companies to locate here, quality of life is a really big deal. So, these are really vital tools for economic development as well. And ultimately, looking at those health benefits, economic benefits, quality-of-life, day-to-day benefits, parks are really a great investment in all our recreation here in Erie County,” said Emerson Bannerson, Deputy Director of Planning for the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development.
The projects will give families a free place to spend time outdoors while helping communities maintain spaces they can use for years to come.