BYRON, Ga. — The cities of Byron and Centerville are getting money from the National Parks Service to improve parks, according to a press release from Congressman Sanford Bishop.
Byron will receive $250,000 to construct a new skatepark and Centerville will get $50,000 to fund new playground equipment at Center Park.
The grants were created by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program.
The funds will be used to build the 8,000-square-foot Byron Skatepark. The skatepark will service the community and provide a new recreational option for Byron’s residents, the release says.
In Centerville, the money will not only go to new playground equipment but also for a sensory area to improve the park’s accessibility.
“Projects like this are good for the health and well-being of Georgians and our communities by creating safe, accessible recreation spaces that bring families together and encourage children to socialize and play with one another,” Congressman Bishop said.
Byron Mayor Michael Chidester says he is grateful for the grant.
"We truly appreciate the consideration given to our application not only by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the National Park Service but also by Rep. Bishop and our Senators," he said.
Centerville Mayor John Hartley thanked Rep. Bishop and the LWCF for their grant.
"New playground equipment for children under 10 as well as additional equipment that provides sensory and inclusionary activities for people of all ages," he said.
The LWCF was created in 1964 by Congress as a bipartisan safeguard to the outdoors. In August 2020, the President signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law, which requires $900 million a year to be given to the LWCF.