Parkville biggest Outreach grant winner

The City of Parkville came out the big winner last week when the Platte County Commission awarded more than $250,000 in 2014 Parks and Recreation Outreach grants. Parkville received $62,000 for construction of the loop trail and open play fields at Platte Landing Park. Parkville Director of Public Works Kirk Rome thanked the Commission for the award. Last year, the Parkville Board of Aldermen balked at what they saw as a reduced construction plan for the County-owned park. The construction of a new boat ramp and a portion of the access road was covered by a grant from the state and federal government, but other improvements originally planned for the park were scaled back from the first phase. Parkville officials accused the County of breaking promises and eventually a compromise was reached with the understanding the City would apply for exactly this grant it was last week awarded. Several of the grant projects this year were awarded with the County’s 175th anniversary in mind, including the Wings Over Weston program sponsored by the Burroughs Audubon Society, $9,088; Platte City Friends of the Arts for the anniversary composition and concert series, $1,500; Sharing a Vision for Generations for the anniversary native American project, $14,820; Northwest Model A Club for the Running with Bonnie and Clyde Symposium, $4,580; Weston Community Theater for the Cemetery Stroll into the Past, $3,041; and the Platte County Historical Society for repairs to the Ben Ferrel Museum for $20,490. Director of Parks and Recreation Brian Nowotny said the County received 34 applications this year, with 26 awards, including $30,000 to the West Platte School District for lighting at the Benner Park softball and tee ball field. This was a portion of the ongoing Weston Area Parks and Open Space Grant. Other grant awards included $2,945 to the Camden Point Athletic Association for the community building improvement project; $1,500 to the City of Camden Point for the 2014 Freedom Festival music in the park; $3,460 to the City of Weston for its Historic Weston Experience driving tour booklets; $10,492 to the Edgerton Parks Board for renovations to the historic Edgerton Jail; $4,795 to Graden Elementary School for an outdoor classroom; $3,900 to Lakeview Middle School for the Lynx Outdoor Learning Center; $19,779 to Line Creek Elementary School for outdoor playground enhancements; $4,580 to Midwest Adaptive Sports for adaptive skiing and tubing at Snow Creek; $1,500 to the Northland Community Choir for the 40th anniversary Messiah concert; $6,279 to Platte City Parks and Recreation for scoreboards at Harrel Ferrel Park; $10,770 to the Platte County Historical Society for digital conversion of genealogical microfilm; $750 to the University of Missouri Extension for the Northland Ethnic Festival; $8,389 to the Extension for RePlant Platte at Platte Ridge Park; $2,500 to the Recreation Council for Ability Day; $11,775 to The Farmer’s House for a heritage orchard and cutting garden; $7,018 to Tiffany Ridge Elementary School for playground improvements; and $2,800 to the YMCA for the Challenger Adaptive Sports Complex.