Medora resident Sharon Bowers, left, assists Shannon Hunsucker of the Leadership Jackson County youth project team with removing a swing at the Medora town park to replace it with a new one in August 2020.
Tribune file photo
MEDORA — The town of Medora and Healthy Jackson County recently received a grant that will provide upgrades to Medora Town Park.
Shannon Hunsucker, president of the town’s park board, addressed a memorandum of understanding between the town and Schneck Medical Center for a $24,673.62 grant during the April 10 Medora Town Council meeting.
Schneck will be serving as the fiscal agency for the grant, which will be used to install new playground equipment, walking paths, a volleyball goal, a tetherball goal and a fitness apparatus.
Schneck was awarded the Indiana Department of Health’s Health Issues and Challenges Grant in 2022 as an opportunity for growth of the parks in the county and to promote physical activities.
Schneck is responsible for providing the funding from that was received to Healthy Jackson County for all upgrades to the park. Schneck also will provide proof of transactions after funds have been administered.
The town is responsible for submitting all receipts showing the amount of the purchase, actively participate in Healthy Jackson County with the Physical Activity and Nutrition Workgroup and in the event of an audit provide proof of financial documents.
The memorandum was executed Feb. 17 and will be enacted through Dec. 31, 2026. The memorandum may be canceled any time by either party with a 30-day written notice. No notice is required if funding is discontinued through the Health Issues and Challenges Grant.
Hunsucker said the dispersements of funds is subject to change as playground equipment costs have increased.
“We may have to limit the walking paths that will be installed to cover equipment costs,” she said.
Hunsucker also put in a request for a project that will take place at the park through the Jackson County United Way Day of Caring event May 9.
The project details fixing the rotted ceiling in the women’s restroom, fixing or replacing the door of the men’s restroom and repairing or replacing the roof of the concession stand.
The park board also is looking into cutting down the many dead trees with falling limbs at the park for the safety of the children.
Town Marshal Jeff Walters also suggested that as new upgrades for the park begin, the installation of wireless security cameras should be considered.
“We have got to get some eyes over there that we don’t have,” Walters said. “With all the new equipment and playground equipment being vandalized in the past, something needs to be done.”
Look forward to upcoming construction and upgrades at Medora Town Park in the coming months.