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Playground update: What’s ahead for Northwest Territory project

The Northwest Territory Playground is a community playground utilized during school hours by Washington Elementary School. Renovations for the playground are planned for next summer. (Rendering courtesy of The Fountain Foundation)

With eyes on a May groundbreaking, fundraising and grant writing continue for the Northwest Territory Playground renovations.

“We’ve had several checks presented to us and we’re working on another fundraiser right now,” said Marcia Stewart, president of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta. “When I took on the role in Kiwanis last year we, of course, had to find a project to support and what’s more worthwhile than a place for our kids to play safely that’s inclusive and up-to-date?”

The Marietta club donated $25,000 to the $1.5 million project in May and that donation was later matched by Kiwanis International in an online contest.

This $50,000 was added to the $21,204 raised by the McDonald’s Half Marathon in September last year and another $2,000 donation from the Marietta Welfare League.

The goal of the fundraising is to address safety hazards and land issues, including rusting equipment, broken fencing, poor drainage and crumbling steps. In the plans are a new basketball court, new playground equipment, a soccer field and a walking path.

But with construction estimates of $875,000 and engineering concerns over stormwater drainage, electric wiring and filling in a coal pit, Stewart said volunteers are still pursuing additional grant opportunities and are on the third set of plans with Pickering and Associates.

“We’ve had pledges that I don’t count until the money is in hand, but with those we’re close to $150,000. In hand right now I have about $85,000,” said Stewart. “We’re working with Ohio Sen. Frank Hoagland and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, on trying to get capital funds and we’re applying through the city on an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant.”

Marietta City Council is also considering Resolution 30, an authorization of the city development director to pursue $500,000 in grant funding from ODNR’s Land and Water Conservation Fund, with a 50 percent local match.

“I had planned to let that go three readings in case there was any type of dissension or any confusion or concerns,” said Lands, Buildings and Parks Committee Chairwoman Cindy Oxender.

That resolution was first introduced at the Sept. 6 regular meeting and had its second reading last week.

“The city will not be out any money and I don’t believe the group is anticipating getting that full amount,” explained Marietta Law Director Paul Bertram, Monday. “We’re figuring between a $100,000 and $250,000 award and then the group would be responsible for the match ($50,000 to $125,000.)”

Though the city would act as the recipient of the state funds, Bertram said he was crafting an agreement Monday that would keep the city off the hook for the matching funds.

“That could be added as an amendment to Resolution 30,” he explained, noting a final reading is scheduled for next week. “But that legislation doesn’t have to be done until Nov. 15, when the grant application is due.”

In the meantime, another fundraiser is underway called Buy a Brick.

“You can purchase one of the bricks we want to place in the concrete paths in rectangles, and at the center of the brick arrangements there will be a historical fact that kids will be able to read as they go around the sidewalk,” explained Stewart.

The 4×8-inch bricks can hold up to four lines of text and cost $100 per brick.

“Those can be in honor or memory of someone, they could have your child’s names on them or be used to celebrate a valedictorian,” added Stewart. “It will be a wonderful addition to the park to have these add to that historic feel of the place.”

Donations to the cause can be made online or by sending printed forms via mail. There are discounts offered for multiple brick donations:

¯ One brick: $100

¯ Two bricks: $175

¯ Three bricks: $225

To buy a brick for the playground, order online or print out a form at bit.ly/NWTbuyabrick.

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