Town Gets Grants for Waterfront Parks

Barrington received late Wednesday two recreational-development grants totaling $275,000 from the state for parks overlooking the water.

A $200,000 grant from the RI Department of Environmental Management will allow the committee designing the park at Police Cove on the Barrington River to “really create a great project,” said Town Planner Phil Hervey.

The $75,000 grant will be used to make improvements to Latham Park in West Barrington, he said.

“Both are really great projects,” Hervey said. “I had my fingers crossed because you never know. You don’t know your competition. Both grants are the maximum amounts we could receive from DEM.”

Hervey attended an awards ceremony late Wednesday afternoon in the State House.

“The Police Cove grant will result in a construction budget of about $700,000 for the project," he said. "The town already has about $300,000 from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant program (federal funding), about $230,000 the town received for leasing the property for the Barrington Bridge project, and $40,000 from RIPTA.”

“We hope to have the Police Cove Park Committee meet soon to discuss construction budget priorities,” Hervey said.

“The Latham Park funding will need to be matched by the town, making it a $150,000 project,” he said. “The project specifications will be determined as we move forward on the shoreline erosion plan with EA Engineering. The DEM grant will help with park improvements - and could include improved shoreline access, pathways, benches, etc.”

Public input will be sought, Hervey said.

“We hope to secure additional funding from other sources for the shoreline project,” he said. “This would allow spending on interior park improvements with the grant money.”

More than $4.2 million in open space recreational development matching grants were given out for 35 projects in 23 communities. The grants will fund new basketball, tennis, and horseshoe courts; skate parks; sports fields; handicap docks; a nature trail; restrooms; and various site improvements.

"DEM is delighted to award these grants that will help expand and improve the recreational opportunities available to Rhode Islanders in neighborhoods across the state," said DEM Director Janet Coit of Barrington. "The wide-range of projects funded by the grants will help enhance the quality of life in local communities and ensure a beautiful Rhode Island and healthy Rhode Islanders."

All of the grants have been awarded from state funds and represent the last round of grants from the state's 2008 Open Space and Recreation Development Bond Authorization along with remaining funds from other recreational bond issues, according to DEM.

The Rhode Island Recreation Resources Review Committee selected the 35 projects from 44 applications. DEM is administering the grants.