The City of Monroe has been awarded a $500,000 grant toward the development of two major Parks and Recreation projects: the Bearskin Creek Greenway Phase III and the Creft Park renovation.

Phase III of the Bearskin Creek Greenway project will extend the existing greenway at Don Griffin Park approximately 0.4 miles over to Creft Park. Once completed, the greenway will connect Belk Tonawanda, Don Griffin and Creft Parks.

The Creft Park renovations include an additional shelter, the renovation of the bathroom facility, an outdoor fitness cluster, an inclusive swing and play equipment areas, multi-purpose kids zone, and walking loops within the park.

The grant comes from the State of North Carolina’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) which offers a 50/50 matching grant program to local parks and recreation departments for the development of parks and facilities.

This year, the Parks and Recreation Authority considered 52 grant applications requesting a total of more than $21 million. The City of Monroe is one of 19 applicants who received the grants. This is also the second PARTF grant the City has received in the last four years.

“We’re thrilled to receive this funding from the state that will help us get one step closer to realizing our Parks and Recreation Greenway Master Plan,” said Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Jones. “The additions to Creft Park will make it a destination for families and encourage inclusive play and togetherness.”

The City of Monroe’s matching funds are available in the greenway reserve fund which City Council approved in the FY23 budget.

The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered through the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and allocated by the state budget. Local grants are awarded annually by the Authority at its quarterly meeting in August.

READ: Local Communities to Receive $8.5 million for Parks and Recreation Projects, Gov. Cooper Announces