Local parks are getting a makeover. Local workers are getting jobs (or, their jobs are being saved).
Who do we have to thank? The Oregon Lottery.
See, the lotto turns over cash every year to the Park and Rec Department which, in turn, doles the bucks out to different communities as grants to spruce up local parks.
How much?
$4million this summer. About the same next year. And so on.
Even cooler, there are two different types of projects they consider. Buying more land to expand a park or create a new park. Or upgrading an existing park.
This year, the vast majority of projects they selected, according to Chris Havel with the department who spoke with GNPDX . . . fall into the latter category. Why? Because buying land doesn’t do squat on the job front, whereas building a trail or a new structure or facilities means contractors go to work.
ANYONE can apply for a grant (cities, neighborhoods, counties, etc.) so if you would like to fix up a park in YOUR neck of the woods, go here.
