Granite City and Livingston Recognized By County Board For Park Enhancement Projects

Chairmans Letterhead
                                                                                                                        

For additional information
contact Alan J. Dunstan
618/692-4341

For Immediate Release

GRANITE CITY AND LIVINGSTON RECOGNIZED BY COUNTY BOARD FOR PARK ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS  

            EDWARDSVILLE, October 22, 2015 – At Wednesday’s meeting of the Madison County Board, Chairman Alan J. Dunstan recognized the Granite City Park District and Village of Livingston for their respective park improvement projects.

            Representing the Village of Livingston at the meeting was Mayor Dennis Scarsdale.  The Granite City Park District was represented by Justin Brinkmeyer, facility manager at Wilson Park.  The projects in both communities were funded in-part by park enhancement (PEP) grants awarded by the Madison County Park and Recreation Grant Commission. 

            “Madison County residents have the right to expect their local and county governments to do everything possible to keep them and their family’s safe, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” stated the chairman.  “In Madison County, we believe it is also important to go beyond public safety and economic development, we do everything we can to enhance our residents’ quality of life.  By supporting the great system of parks and recreation programs, which we have in Madison County, we are doing just that.”

            The Village of Livingston used a Madison County Park Enhancement Grant for several projects at Veterans Memorial Park.  A new scoreboard was installed at the park’s basketball court, which was also resurfaced, coated with an acrylic surface and striped.  A new swing set was also purchased and installed in the park.           

            The Granite City Park District used funds from a park enhancement grant to purchase a new Zamboni, an ice resurfacing machine, for use at the ice rink in Wilson Park.  “The rink at Wilson Park is utilized by high school hockey teams from throughout the county, club teams and a large number of recreational skaters,” Dunstan said.  “The Zamboni is an essential tool in keeping the ice surface in a safe, suitable condition.”

            Other park enhancement funds were used to the installation of a new backstop on one of the parks baseball diamonds and the purchase of a portable pitching mound.  The Granite City Park District also purchased two swings, three ADA compliant spring toys and wood fibrous materials, a protective ground cover for the area around the swings.

The PEP program is administered by the Madison County Community Development department operating under the direction of the Madison County Park and Recreation Grant Commission.  The commission oversees the operation of the Metro East Park and Recreational District, which was created by a vote of Madison County residents in November, 2000.  The Park and Recreation District is funded by a 1/10th of one percent sales tax.
Alan Dunstan and Justin BrinkmeyerMadison County Chairman Alan J. Dunstan presents a plaque to
Justin Brinkmeyer, facility manager at Granite City's Wilson Park.

Alan Dunstan Livingston Mayor Dennis ScarsdaleVillage of Livingston Mayor Dennis Scarsdale,
flanked by Madison County
Chairman Alan J. Dunstan,
addressing the Madison County Board.