ANGOLA (WLKI)- The City of Angola and the Angola Parks Department have been invited to participate in the Community Park Initiative, a Lilly Endowment-funded program that could provide planning support and future funding for improvements to the city's park system.
Angola was selected as one of 126 communities across Indiana invited to take part in the statewide initiative.
The grant program will be administered in two phases. During the first phase, Angola may apply for up to $50,000 for community engagement, stakeholder involvement and long-range park planning.
Communities that advance through the process may later compete for up to $1 million in implementation funding to support significant park improvements.
Mayor Dave Martin said the invitation recognizes the value of Angola's parks and creates an opportunity to plan for the system's future.
"Our parks are among Angola's greatest community assets; we are honored to receive this invitation and excited about the possibilities it creates for the future of our park system and our community," Martin said.
Park Superintendent Matt Hanna said the first phase would help ensure any proposed project is thoughtfully planned, while the second phase could provide funding to carry out improvements connected to the parks department's five-year goals.
The city and parks department said investments in parks and recreational amenities can strengthen the community and improve quality of life for residents and visitors.
According to a news release from the City of Angola and the Angola Parks Department.