The Town of Liberty was recently awarded a $150,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for the renovation of Freedom Park.
The project will include a dollar-for-dollar match paid for out of the Town’s general fund, meaning $300,000 worth of upgrades and repairs will help to revitalize the popular community park. WithersRavenel worked with the Town of Liberty on the grant application.
The park’s planned additions and fixes encompass design elements that were selected after more than a year of community meetings and surveys on the topic. The new park elements planned include:
- Band shell and stage. The new amphitheatre will be able to host community events, concerts, programs, and educational instruction.
- Splash pad with pump system. The splash pad will give local children access to water recreation, as the nearest public pool is about 20 miles away.
- Several new site furnishings, including benches and picnic tables.
- Expanded and improved parking and sidewalks.
Park renovations are also part of the plan for the grant money and matching funds, including:
- Repairs and resurfacing for the basketball court.
- Repairs and resurfacing for the parking lot.
- Restroom improvements.
- Sanitary sewer and water service upgrades (to support restroom renovations and the new splash pad).
- Electrical service upgrades.
- Tennis walls and lights (from previously demolished courts) will be removed.
The grant and matching funds will also cover expenses for engineering, survey, site grading, erosion control, landscape architecture, and permitting related to the new additions and renovations.
Freedom Park was initially developed in the 1970s with the help of multiple LWCF grants. Although the park has been well-maintained, the grants will help tend to portions of the park in need of renovation while also bringing vitality to the facility with new features.
WithersRavenel congratulates Liberty, and we hope to work with the Town to continue to improve Freedom Park! Are you considering grants or loans to fund improvements in your community? Contact Amanda Whitaker at awhitaker@withersravenel.com for information.