Pocono News Section

$200,000 Grant for Watsontown Playground

$200,000 Grant for Watsontown Playground - Friday, March 28, 2008 at 12:07PM EST

$200,000 Grant for Watsontown Playground Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 @10:00pm EST
WATSONTOWN, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY- A Northumberland County playground is about to get a major face lift thanks to $200,000 in grant money.

Mayor Bob Brown says he spent two years trying to secure funding to fix up the Eighth Street playground in Watsontown. After 23 years in office, he knows a few things about patience and persistence. And while Brown deserves some of the kudos, he says the lion's share of the credit goes to State Representative Merle Phillips’ office, for securing the funding.

"Called me on his cellphone, he said, 'Mayor Brown, I've got some good news for you.' I said, 'What's that?' He said, 'We got the grant.' I dropped the phone,” Mayor Brown recalled.

A schoolhouse that burnt down about 50 years ago used to occupy the place where the sparsely decorated playground now stands on 8th street. The mayor has already thought of plenty of ways to spend the money. He will also take suggestions from the borough's parks and recreation committee, as well as any citizens with good ideas for the playground.

Items such as a gazebo, tables, benches, and permanent restroom facilities are on the short list of things the mayor hopes to add with the newfound funding. "And I also want to put some kind of a walkaround for the older people to go down and walk and maybe put some trees in," the mayor added.

He expects the soon-to-be revamped park to draw a crowd. Brown said, "I do want to have all age groups participate and enjoy it...I'm very excited about it. I can't wait for the weather to break to get it started."

Some residents have been pushing for a skate park and a band shell at the playground. At least for now, there are no plans to add those facilities with the new grant money. Watsontown officials have a three-year deadline to use up the funds.