Laurel Hill plans park renovations

City officials have prioritized Gene Clary Park renovation projects. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection will help fund improvements with a $50,000 grant. FILE PHOTO | News Bulletin

LAUREL HILL — Renovations and redevelopment to Laurel Hill’s Gene Clary Park are a step closer following Thursday’s city council meeting.

The park was previously approved for a $50,000 grant from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. The city prioritized renovation projects in this order:

Restrooms: general improvements

Parking lot: adding a fence to limit driving in the park

Playground: adding new swings and shading

Basketball courts: building new courts

Picnic area: replace and add additional tables and benches

Baseball field: improve field and possibly add bleachers

Softball field: improve field and possibly add bleachers

Money must be spent on each project, but it’s unclear how much will be dedicated to each. Engineers will develop plans that include cost and present them to the council 6 p.m. Feb. 2 for approval.

In addition, the council on Thursday rejected the sole contractor bid for a project to improve road conditions on Sunnyside Avenue. Anderson Columbia quoted the city $372,207 for the project but was unapproved due to cost.

The council will itemize the project and attempt to distribute costs between the city and county.

The Citizens Advisory Task Force recommended applying a grant to another roadway renovation project that extends from State Road 85 and Third Street to Chicago Avenue to Steel Mill Creek Road and back to Second Avenue.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill plans park renovations