Wendy Werner
CherryRoad Media

A Special Syracuse City Council meeting was held August 28, 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to consider Resolution No. 24-35 which was unanimously approved. In advance of the meeting, Project Playground transferred $179,334.50 to the City of Syracuse. Additional funding sources that include a $30,000 commitment from the Otoe County Commissioners for Otoe County Keno Funds and a $50,000 commitment from the City of Syracuse also from Keno Funds will be used for match. The City of Syracuse with assistance from the Project Playground Committee drafted an application requesting a $250,000 Game & Parks LWCF (Land and Water Conservation Fund) Grant. Upon successfully completing funding cycle reviews, it is anticipated installation of the new playground would start in fall of 2025. Equipment, installation and turf are quoted at $508,000 that includes a recent small equipment adjustment to lower the price.

According to the Nebraska Game and Parks website, “The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal grant program that was established in 1965 through the National Parks Service within the Department of the Interior.”

The website goes on to explain the LWCF stateside assistance grant program has provided funding for community outdoor recreation projects across Nebraska for nearly 40 years. Many ballfields, swimming pools, playgrounds, picnic shelters and natural areas have been assisted by the LWCF program. To date, more than 365 political subdivisions within the state of Nebraska have benefited from the LWCF program.

The Project Playground Committee was formed in March 2022 and over past 18 months has held multiple fundraisers and accepted donations to acquire matching funds for the grant application. Pledges and donations will continue to be accepted. The effort was started to create safer, inclusive and accessible playground equipment at Williams Park for which there will be two play areas, one for toddlers and one for older children.