Local children to benefit from state grants
Children in Fayette, Washington and Greene counties will benefit from recently awarded state grants. State Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, announced that the Fayette City Recreation Board and Redstone Township have received state grants for recreation projects.
Fayette City is receiving $12,000 to put in restrooms at its park and to help cover the cost of already installed picnic tables, a security fence, lighting, the extension of water lines and paving the parking lot.
“The people of Fayette City really appreciate Rep. Daley’s help in getting this grant to finish our park,” said Bernard Sarra, president of the Fayette City Recreation Board.
A $6,000 grant to Redstone Township will be used to build the Royal Community Playground at Chestnut Ridge.
“Because we’re a financially distressed area, it was very nice that Rep. Daley was able to go to bat for us and we are thankful for his assistance,” said David Batovsky, president of the Chestnut Ridge Recreation Committee.
Volunteers will install a pavilion and playground equipment initially. Long-term plans include picnic tables and benches, a basketball court, a sand volley court and horseshoe pits.
In Washington County, state Sen. Barry Stout has announced that the Penn State Extension office there will receive $2,500 to help fund a 4-H day camp and to develop a traveling education program kit.
The program focuses on raising poultry and is geared for 4-H members ages eight through 19. It will include project books, activity guides and a videotape to illustrate proper poultry health and management.
State Rep. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, said a second $2,500 grant will go to the Waynesburg Future Farmers of America chapter. The money will be used for a water quality project including a study of streams and ponds in Greene County. It will identify water, wildlife, agriculture and recreation sources that may have been impacted by coal mining.
“Agriculture is essential to any potential economic growth in Washington and Greene counties,” Stout noted. “These grants will help to ensure that our youth maintain an interest in agriculture-related industry and possibly encourage them to develop a career in that field.”