Mayor Gary Hunt announces T.A.P. Grant Funding for Owingsville

I was informed recently that Owingsville has received a TAP (Transportation Alternative Program) grant in the amount of $34,000. I had applied for this in November and was excited to get the good news.

The grant includes $27,200 in federal funds and $6,800 of in-kind services provided by the city for the project. These grants are always very competitive. TAP grants provide funding for pedestrian and bicycle facilities and safe routes to school projects.

The funds will be used to install 700 feet of new sidewalk around the Owingsville Elementary playground and repair 300 feet of defective sidewalk on Slate Avenue.

As many of you know, the city and the school system have agreed to partner together to make the OES playground an outstanding recreational location for the OES students to use during the school year and for our citizens to take advantage of during times when school is not in session during the year. The new sidewalk will connect the west end of town to the playground area and connect the playground to the swimming pool area. It will provide safe access for any citizen to walk to the playground, tennis courts, swimming pool, and track. A new walking track has been added inside the fence area of the playground for those wishing to exercise while their children are playing. Also, the school system added new playground equipment recently. The city will install and maintain a waste receptacle near the playground entrance in order to reduce litter. The city will also increase the amount of police patrol it provides in that area. This entire situation is working out to be a WIN-WIN for everyone – the school system, the city, and most of all, the students and citizens who will use the playground. I visited the playground on Sunday evening and found three families with kids enjoying the facility. I extend a heartfelt thanks to Superintendent Harvey Tackett, the Bath County School Board, and to the Owingsville City Council for working together to make this possible. I will keep the community updated as we work this summer to complete the project.