Butler City Council is applying for a large state grant to make improvements at Ritts Park as it celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Thursday night Council approved a resolution to apply for a $148,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development.
If approved the City would be responsible for 15% of that total or just over $22,000 in cash or possibly other kinds of donations to be paid in 2021. The City will also pay the $100 application fee for grant submission by Butler County on behalf of the City.
Councilman Jeff Smith has been working with the County for more than a year on this application and also plans to ask for a letter of support from the Butler Township Commissioners since part of the park is in the Township.
“This grant would restore the area around the monument; it would plant new trees in a pollenator area; it would install a fitness trail along the walkway; it would restore the walking trail that goes through the park,” Smith said. “It would also install a new pickleball court and update the tennis courts.”
According to Smith, this is the first time the City has applied for this grant although they did receive state funding assistance with recent work done at Memorial Park. Smith expects to hear back about the awarding of this grant sometime in the early fall.