Marion gets $159,622 state grant for more accessibility at city park

The city of Marion is getting a state grant of $159,622 which will be used to help make the Community Building Park more accessible for the disabled. And if Marion gets another grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, the project could be fully funded.

During Tuesday's regular City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Little announced he had received a letter from Gov. Roy Cooper about Marion receiving the $159,622 grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority. This grant will be used for the city's effort to improve the park and make it more accessible for the disabled.

"Your project will help ensure that all people, including children and veterans with disabilities, can enjoy amazing recreation opportunities," reads the letter from the governor to the mayor.

"This is very, very good news," said Little. "We've been talking for months about making improvements to our park and make it more accessible. This is a big step forward."

Neal Lewis, the chairman of the state's Parks and Recreation Authority, will contact city officials and give them information about how to use this money and start work on the park.

In addition, the city is hoping to receive a grant of more than $50,000 from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. This could fully pay for the planned improvements at the park.

"It would be our first fully accessible park in the city of Marion," said City Manager Bob Boyette.

He added that if this additional money comes in, the work on the park could take place late this year or in early 2018.

Marion officials said they give much of the credit for this to Louis and Samantha Parrow, who advocated for a more accessible park in Marion. The Parrow family has been involved in this process from the beginning.

"I give them the credit for being the catalyst to get this moving," said Little.

Following the mayor's announcement, Louis and Samantha Parrow issued a statement to The McDowell News.

"Nearly two years ago, my family made a suggestion to the city of Marion: to make the city parks more than just ADA compliant," reads the statement. "We requested that the parks be made accessible to ALL members of ALL families that visit. We were happy to see both agreement and countless hours of studying and preparation to come to this point.

"The key factor in this project becoming a success is the city's willingness to support the community on an idea that truly supports all of the citizens. Also of note was the work of an intern, Ms. Rosa Fowler, who spent hundreds of unpaid hours during her summer break from college preparing a plan that was key in securing these grants.

"This process shows that with hard work and support by both the government and citizens of Marion, NC, anything is possible. We recommend that if any citizen has an idea to better the community, contact the local government, they may be able to help!"

In other business, the Marion City Council:

* Agreed to annex 7.11 acres of city-owned property including the entrance road and parking lot for the first phase of the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway, as well as the Round Hill loop off of the main greenway trail. This land, which was previously leased by the city, were recently donated to the city by Great Meadows Corp.

* Agreed to annex 0.63 of an acre on Yancey Road, which is owned by Whitson Properties. The land contains three houses and is at the intersection of Yancey Road and Sherri Drive. Both annexations are contiguous to the existing city limits and became effective immediately.

* Approving having the city serve as the fiscal agent for a $261,702 grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to the West Marion Community Forum. This grant will allow the forum to operate for three years, hire a coordinator and develop programs to improve the quality of life in the West Marion neighborhood. The approval is contingent on city staff meeting with the McDowell Health Coalition and West Marion Community Forum representatives to make sure that the city can administer the grant. Boyette said he does not expect there to be any problems. The West Marion Forum meets monthly at Addie's Chapel United Methodist Church and is working on improving the health and well-being of the community. "I think it's exciting to see a community-based group with such energy and enthusiasm," said Little.

* Heard an update on the construction of the new restrooms at the Tailgate Market. They also talked about the relocation of the gazebo and the removal of the surrounding trees at the North Main Street park. "It looks good," said Councilman Lloyd Cuthbertson. "It really opens the place up." A new events shelter and restrooms will be built there soon.

* Heard a presentation about the McDowell Arts Council Association from Director Susan Pyatt-Baker.

* Approved the contracts for the mowing of the city's rights of way and cemeteries. Wheeler Lawn Care LLC submitted the low bid for mowing the city's rights of way at $915 a week. Even Grow Lawn & Landscape submitted the low bid for moving both Oak Grove Cemetery and Morehead Cemetery at $600 a week.

* Looked at samples of wood for the new front door at the Community Building. Carriage House Doors in Old Fort is working with the city of Marion to replace the Community Building's front door with something that is more historically accurate.