Willshire leads area in recent park grants

Nearly $76,000 in state outdoor recreation funds are coming to the region, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced this week.

ODNR has awarded a total of $1,719,575 to 90 local parks through the 2008 NatureWorks Grant Program. The program provides up to 75 percent reimbursement assistance to local government for the acquisition, development and rehabilitation of recreational areas.

Van Wert County received more than half of the funds in the region with Willshire receiving $30,127 for a asphalt loop trail and shelter house in the village park. Ohio City received $7,870 to replace fencing at the village ball park.

Willshire Mayor Sharon Krall said the village park project will make use of the former Parkway Middle School site, which is now vacant.

"Now the real work begins," Krall said. With the grant received, plans need to be put in place to hopefully start work in the spring.

In Allen County, Bluffton was awarded $7,550 for paving and bike path repairs at Buckeye Park.

Dupont, in Putnam County, received $9,049 to install fencing at the community park and ball field.

In Shelby County, Jackson Center was awarded $5,042 to establish soccer fields and Fort Loramie received $7,500 for grading and seeding of a new village park.

Franklin Township in Mercer County received $8,811 to purchase three acres of woodland.