With hopes of getting new money to fund parks and recreation growth, the City Of Sparta agreed Thursday night to work with a consultant on a new master plan.
Mayor Jerry Lowery said state officials encouraged the idea, noting money that would become available. The plan requires just a $12,000 city match.
“[A master plan] would put us up at the head of the stream when we’re applying for these,” Lowery said. “And there’s money available for hiking trails and all these things. And bike trails that probably go after. We really need this to get it done. And the matching funds, I don’t even know if it’ll be up to $12,000. It may be way less than that.”
City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the plan will help the city plan 10-20 years out. Tindle said the city adopted the county’s plan over a year ago, but most grants require a city have its own plan.
“The state has some money in this fund, and they’re really encouraging people to apply,” Tindle said. “They think there is a really, really good chance that anybody that applies will be accepted.”
The city can use one of four state contractors and will not have to bid out the consulting work.
“We’ll have a company come in and spend two to three months, looking at our facilities,” Lowery said. “They’ll make this plan and we’ll have it for the next few years.”
Lowery said things like bike and walking trails are goals for grants.
“We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars, sometimes, that they’re willing to give away,” Lowery said.
Sparta has multiple parks and rec projects underway, including a new splashpad and playground. Aldermen approved the purchase of land for a new city front park. The city also retrofitted a train car and has plans to rebuild its skateboard park.
