A Greenville park will be getting a facelift soon after the City was recently awarded an Accessible Parks Grant.

Greenville was awarded $500,000 to help with improvements at Woodlawn Park located on North Woodlawn Avenue. The proposed project includes the addition of outdoor recreational amenities such as a multisport court, outdoor table tennis/ping pong, cornhole, outdoor foosball, and updated inclusive playground equipment. A $100,000 City match is required.

The improvements are much needed as Woodlawn Park was identified as one of the highest priorities for ADA improvements in the City's Comprehensive Recreation and Parks Master Plan adopted by the City Council in 2023. Woodlawn Park currently includes the City's oldest playground equipment, installed in 1996, and the park does not currently meet ADA requirements with routes of travel.

"We are thrilled and grateful to receive this Accessible Parks Grant grant for Woodlawn Park," Executive Director of City Projects and Recreation Services Don Octigan said. "Thanks to the continued support of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, we can enhance the park and make it a more inclusive place that provides outdoor recreational opportunities for all.”

The Accessible Parks Grant Program administered through the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation and the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, provides $12.5 million in matching grants for parks and recreation for people living with disabilities. This grant program funds the construction of special facilities or adaptation of existing facilities that meet the unique needs of people living with disabilities or that enable them to participate in recreational activities, regardless of their abilities.

Local governments can request a maximum of $500,000 with each application and must match the grant with at least one dollar ($1) of local funds for every five dollars ($5) in grant funds. The goal of the grant is to maximize access to recreation.