City of Henderson officials are making a plan to pay for the revamping of Anthony Brooks Park on Madison Street.
At Tuesday’s Henderson City Commission meeting, Project Manager Jenna Basham said that the city has in place a $245,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant, a $244,000 GRANT grant and $133,000 of a Community Development Block Grant, which totals $622,000.
Additionally, the city has $250,000 dedicated to funding related to the just-approved Parks Master Plan that is unused in this year’s budget and can be used for the project, said City Manager Dylan Ward.
The price tag of the improvements to the park, which is located across the street from the John F. Kennedy Community Center, is close to $1 million, Ward said. This is an increase over what the city had previously planned for—at around $500,000, most of which was grant money.
Ward said inflation was one reason for the increase. Another reason for the increase is that the Parks Master Plan proposed adding more attractions to the park, Ward said.
To get the rest of the money, the city is looking at applying for another Community Development Block Grant for about $130,000 when the next cycle opens in October, said Breasha Pruitt, project coordinator.
The city hopes to start construction in late summer and early fall, said Ward.
Plans include ziplines, swings, a splash pad, a restroom, rubberized play areas, walking paths and a block wall.
Mayor Brad Staton said the park will be very “impactful” for the neighborhood.
