Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Park Grant Approved

It's official.

The City of Gurdon has been awarded a grant for $11,000 to upgrade the city park.

Tambra Smith, city recorder/treasurer, was notified of the approval from the Office of Rural Advocacy Tuesday, April 16.

In addition, Anita Cabe, with the Cabe Foundation, notified Smith the foundation had approved a grant of up to $1,500 to make sure the tennis courts in the park were properly refurbished.

Not only that, but there were some late donations which came in to help the park project as well. The Gurdon Rotary Club, Griffin Logging and A&M Equipment all pitched in to improve the park.

Thursday, April 18, Tambra and Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith, along with Clark County Judge Grady Runyan and State Representative Percy Malone went to Little Rock where Gov. Jim Guy Tucker formally presented the check.

Bids will be let on the construction portion of the project, which includes a concrete pad around the bathroom facilities, upgrading the restrooms to meet with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and building a ramp from the street to the pavilion for handicapped people as well.

Additionally, bids will be sought on resurfacing, sealing and striping the three tennis courts in the park, Smith said. This is where the Gurdon High School tennis team plays its matches and practices.

The play area at the park will be covered with pea gravel to help prevent injuries when children fall, she said.

And youngsters will be delighted with the new equipment which will soon be purchased. This equipment, Smith said, will include two new tot swings, three spring rides (a race car, rodeo horse and jet). The park's merry-go-round will also be reconditioned and get a new paint job as well.

Smith said the playground equipment meet current consumer safety guidelines, and if it didn't, it wouldn't have been ordered.

She said a water fountain will be placed at the restrooms as well.

And the best part, Smith said, is the entire project will cost the City of Gurdon nothing. It will be completed with grant money, donations and in-kind work. The South Clark County Jaycees will help with the in-kind labor as they have volunteered to help build a pair of sand volleyball courts.

"This is the first grant the City of Gurdon has ever received from the Office of Rural Advocacy," Smith said.

"Once this work is done," she continued, "the park will be something people should be proud of. People use this park.

"We appreciate all the help we've received; the donations, public support and the aid from businesses."

This project could be completed by July 1 if all goes according to plan.

In addition, Gurdon's Fire Department is also in line for a grant from the Office of Rural Advocacy.

Because of regulatory policies with the agency, the city could not be awarded two grants in the same cycle.

However, once the park project is completed, the paperwork can be submitted for a grant to help get the firemen portable hand-held radios.

Smith said the funding for this project may not be available until the September grant cycle, but the paperwork has already been done and guidelines met.

"We'll have to send a letter to them (the Office of Rural Advocacy) and resubmit the paperwork. I feel reasonably sure we'll get it too."