Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Improving drainage at Mulberry Park is part of several park projects that City of Warren staff want to seek grant funding for. The Parks & Recreation Commission recommended City Council approve the grant application during a meeting this week.

City of Warren staff want to go after funding for several recreation projects at city parks.

They’ll be doing it — if council approves — with the blessing of the Parks & Recreation Commission.

City Manager Nancy Freenock told the commission that a grant program opened at the state level to distribute $100 million in gaming revenue dollars. She said no match is required and applications can range anywhere from $25,000 to $1 million.

She proposed three specific projects.

The first would be to “dry up” Mulberry Park and possibly install some playground equipment there.

“The city can’t afford to do it,” Freenock said.

Commission member Kirk Johnson asked how the park would be dried up and whether it would impact adjacent residents in any way.

“I’m that resident,” Commission member Kris Whittaker said. “Our back yard is suffering from the water that is laying over at Mulberry playground. I would love to see them dry that up.”

Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz said the hope is “to put in a pretty good sized French drain” to take the water at the park and direct it to the city’s storm sewer system on Mulberry St. to Frank St.

The other two projects are an all-weather building at Betts Park and a Miracle ball field at Lacy Park specifically for children with special needs.

CLARITY FOR PICKLEBALL

Holtz said that the city sent letters to the organizers of three specific park projects when city council declined to fund them late last year.

That included proposals for pickleball, re-done softball fields and disc golf.

Doug James and Kim Mong had approached the commission about pickleball playing space at Betts Park last fall and were before the commission on Tuesday.

James said that a formal Warren Pickleball Club has been formed that is applying for 501(c)3 status. He said they were looking for verification of their project at Betts Park.

The group intends to seek fundraising for the project on its own.

Commission chair Mike Suppa said he does not “recall anything other than Betts… whether off the runway or not.”

The Commission approved a motion to recommend the pickleball courts be placed on a grass location at Betts Park near the bocce courts.

Mong said the club intends to go back before council to revisit the funding decision.