OWENTON, Ky. (March 1, 2022) — Owen County Judge/Executive Casey Ellis, along with members of the Fiscal Court, formally announced the receipt of grant funds to install a new, all-inclusive playground at the Owen County Park and Fairgrounds located on Ellis Road.
The playground replaces equipment well beyond its lifecycle with modernized, handicapped-accessible features.
The playground is made possible through the acquisition of a 50/50 match grant from the playground equipment company GameTime.
"The Owen County Fiscal Court received notice late last year that we received the 50/50 match grant and used a small portion of our American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to match that grant and ordered the playground," Ellis said. "Since then, we've engaged with Bell Engineering, who did the comprehensive plan for the entire park in 2016 and had them update the plan with the playground and underlining package to address the major deficiencies and the aging infrastructure."
Improvements to the playground area will also include new benches and trash cans.
The Fiscal Court is currently creating a bid package to construct the infrastructure needed to support the playground.
Demolition of the current playground will begin immediately, followed by preparation of the grounds to install the new equipment upon its arrival.
"We apologize that the area will not be available to use this spring while we are under construction and ask for your patience as the new equipment will create a safer, all-embracing environment for our children to enjoy for many years to come."
"This wasn't a hard project for me to vote yes to," said Second-District Magistrate Stuart Bowling. "I'm happy that we're finally moving forward after years of planning on our park improvement projects."
"My goal with the ARPA funds has always been to utilize them on projects that will have a positive impact on our community for years to come," said Fourth-District Magistrate Chad Rose. "The upgrades to our county park will increase safety, enhance aesthetics, and improve the overall enjoyability of this essential piece of infrastructure. I can't wait to see the smiling faces of the kids whose health outcomes will likely be bettered because of this investment."
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For additional information, please contact Owen County Judge/Executive Casey Ellis at 502-484-3405 or judge@owencountyky.us.
