Councilwoman asks for public support for improvements of playground
DUNBAR – Councilwoman Kathy Dynes said she needs the help of residents and business owners to acquire matching funds to improve the playground, ball field and tennis and basketball courts. Dynes said that council committee recently applied for a $20,000 Park and Recreation grant for the borough.
“There are many improvements needed to secure the areas of the playground,” said Dynes. “We can increase the initial amount of the grant if we can get cash donations, donations of service and/or machinery.”
Some of the improvements council wants to complete at the Dunbar Borough Playground and Dunaway Ball Field include the installation of lighting around the area to illuminate the ball field, courts and playground and a concession stand.
The committee would also like to build a pavilion large enough to house the ball field equipment, tools and machinery, update handicapped accessibility and build new bathroom facilities.
The committee is also talking about installing new walkways, adding safer playground equipment and redoing the tennis court so that borough children will have an outside ice hockey court with a lip around the court to allow for winter ice-skating.
Dynes said the cash donations and donations of services and machinery are called matching funds. So a $20,000 grant plus $5,000 in supporters’ matching funds, plus $5,000 in state matching funds will give the borough $30,000 in grants and service.
“Donation of services is the value of services donated toward the project,” said Dynes. “An example would be a business donating material, manpower and/or use of machinery to aid in the construction of our project.”
Dynes said the cost of material, man-hours and the use of machinery are donations of services and would be considered as matching funds towards the grant.
“I am asking for business and residents support in the form of a financial donation,” said Dynes. “And we are sending out letters telling everyone how these improvements would affect these areas in a positive way.”
Dynes said the borough needs everyone’s support.
“We need your letter as part of the grant process to show your support for our project,” she said. “If you can see your way to help support the playground and ball field and courts, it will be greatly appreciated.”
Dynes said the donations do not need to be sent in at this time. Only a statement that a business or resident plans to help before Sept. 1 is needed to complete the grant process.
“Residents and business people need to keep in mind that we only need their intent to help right now,” said Dynes. “The improvement will not happen until the grant is approved in the spring of 2004. The grant must be completed by the borough and submitted prior to Oct. 10 of this year.”
Anyone with questions is asked to call Dynes at 724-277-8218.