A $1.5 million project to improve recreational facilities at Zippel Park in Gillett received two important endorsements last week.
The Oconto County Land and Water Resources Committee on April 1 approved adding the project to the county’s comprehensive recreation plan, a key requirement for a state stewardship grant. The matter goes to the full county board April 15.
Also, the Gillett City Council held a public hearing and approved an application for funding under a federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administered by the state Department of Administration (DOA).
The plan includes the addition of an inclusive play area, walking trails/paths, an accessible restroom, signage and picnic/seating areas, along with improvements to the sports courts.
An ad hoc city committee is working to find various public and private sources for the project.
Art Bahr, senior community development administrator for the consulting and engineering firm MSA, explained during the hearing that the new facility will be ADA accessible.
“The playground itself will be an inclusive playground for all ages and all abilities,” Bahr said.
The CDBG application asks about housing needs in the city, he said.
“A couple years ago, we went through and identified some things — when we did the last TID (tax incremental financing) district — as to where housing could go,” Bahr said. “But just so the council and the public know, the city is eligible for CDBG programs for housing. So if that’s something you would have an interest in, that’s something I would note and put back to the DOA.”
The hearing garnered no comments from the audience, and the council approved several resolutions meant to facilitate the CDBG application.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
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