City ready for phase two of improvements at Wittman Park
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By Steven Spencer
The City of Jersey recently received a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which will be used to work on the next phase of Lion’s Club/Wittman Park improvements.
Phase one of improvements at the park included the NFC outdoor fitness court, three new pickleball courts, the rehab of two basketball courts, parking/sidewalk/drainage upgrades, landscaping improvements and related lighting and security improvements.
“The City Council recognized the need to add new amenities to be enjoyed for many years to come,” the City Council said in a press release. “Along with another $250,000 in grant funding received last year from the Illinois-American Water Company Charitable Foundation Grant Program, and the City’s recent commitment of ARP funding, the next phase of improvements will become a reality.”
Currently, the plans for the next phase of improvements include the addition of a splash pad, bathhouse with an open-air pavilion, sand volleyball courts, outdoor ping-pong and cornhole, lighting and fencing and other related improvements.
“The City has received lots of interest from residents about adding a splash pad to our community,” Commissioner of Public Property Zach Crawford said. “Our persistence has paid off, and these grant dollars will allow us to move forward with this new amenity, targeting the younger kids. The restroom and concussion facility will not only be utilized for the splash pad, but will also be convenient for the basketball and pickleball courts. We will continue to look for ways to improve outdoor recreation opportunities for all ages.”
Updates at the Susnig center are also underway with bids going out next for improvements including a new gym floor, ADA-compliant bleachers, retractable batting nets, new restroom facilities, roof replacement and other updates.
$450,000 in grants from the IDNR as well as $100,000 in DCEO grant funding and private donations will go towards updates at the Susnig Center.
“Our capital improvement program touches all areas of the City,” Commissioner of Accounts and Finance Kevin Stork said. “From downtown redevelopment to infrastructure needs to parks and recreation. Our long-range planning efforts and our vision for the future allow the City, and more importantly its employees, to have a plan to execute on a day-to-day basis. The new features added at the parks have provided outdoor fitness opportunities for all ages. We have also witnessed increased economic development through use of City facilities by visitors, as well as hosting tournaments. This helps our local businesses while also providing the City with increased sales tax revenue. The use of grant funding enables our limited City tax dollars to go much further, as the costs of improvements continues to rise dramatically.”
