Celebrated at Monday’s Pennyrile Area Development District meeting, several communities in the News Edge listening area have recently been awarded significant grant funding — in what will be monies earmarked for significant projects.
Aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation and public parks, portions of Christian, Hopkins, Caldwell and Todd counties have been tabbed for dollars from the Recreational Trails Program, as well as the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
Administered through the Federal Highway Administration, the Recreational Trails Program assists in the acquisition, development and maintenance of trails and trailhead facilities for both motorized and non-motorized use. Three of eight projects approved statewide this year hail from the Pennyrile.
Including:
• A $117,463 award to the Christian County Fiscal Court – which will support the development of a mountain bike skills training park in Western Kentucky, expanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
• A $150,000 award to the City of Madisonville – in which this funding will contribute to the completion of the final 1.25 miles of trail at Madisonville City Park.
• And a $176,000 award to the City of Earlington – in which this funding will continue the development and improvement of trails and amenities at Loch Mary Lake ATV Park.
Meanwhile, the Land & Water Conservation Fund is a federally funded program that helps protect natural areas, acquire land for outdoor recreation, and renovate public facilities such as campgrounds, sports fields, and trails.
Approved funds include:
• A $92,670 award to the City of Fredonia — which will go toward the revitalization of Buddy Rogers Park, including the installation of a new tee ball field and repairs to the concession and barbecue pit areas.
• A $26,013 award to Hopkins County Fiscal Court – so they can purchase equipment for two new soccer fields in Madisonville.
• A $77,500 award to the City of Earlington — to go toward improved parking and signage at Earlington City Park.
• A $75,000 nod to the City of Dawson Springs — in order to install new lighting fixtures at Riverside Park.
• A $79,650 award to the City of Mortons Gap — in order to install a new public restroom facility at Frank Stafford Park.
• And a $236,100 award to the City of Elkton — in order to replace light fixtures and poles on a baseball field at the city-county park, while constructing new pickleball courts.
