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The City of Bridgeport, East End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, Trust for Public Land and private partners will transform a 4-acre project area in the city's East End neighborhood.
“This is great news for Bridgeport, the East End and the kids at Jettie Tisdale School,” said Finch. “In Bridgeport, we’re focused on making our city a place where companies want to invest and hire people, and a place where even more people choose to live, work, and raise their families. Parks play a key role in doing just that. ... We’re improving the quality of life for our residents while increasing property values in our neighborhoods.”
The project will address issues of physical safety, criminal activity and other recreation needs. The grant will support the first phase of planned enhancements, including a picnic grove, spray pad, playground equipment, a fitness zone exercise area and playing fields.
“The Park City has once again earned its name, securing one of only eight competitive grants awarded nationally to improve and enhance public parks in underserved neighborhoods,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “This $375,000 grant will transform Johnson Oak Park and the Jettie S. Tisdale School, using students’ and community members’ own dreams and visions to create a haven for healthy, outdoor fun.”
The news came from Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Director of the National Park Service Jonathan Jarvis, who announced $3 million to assist eight cities in constructing and enhancing parks and other outdoor recreation facilities in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
“Today’s announcement is a huge win for the families of Bridgeport,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy. “This grant will transform an important corner of the city. Again and again, I hear from Bridgeport parents and kids that there aren't enough after-school and weekend options for kids. This grant will create new outdoor recreation space that can be enjoyed by thousands of Bridgeport families, thereby reducing crime and increasing quality of life.
"The Land and Water Conservation Fund doesn't just protect big, wide open spaces, it has helped to set aside thousands of acres of parkland in America's cities, too."
The Johnson Oak Park money is part of a new competitive grant program called the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, which is paid for through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. For more than 50 years, the fund has invested revenue from federal offshore oil and gas royalties into more than 40,000 outdoor recreation facilities and conservation projects in every state.
“The improved Johnson Oak Park will have adult and youth recreation areas, exercise equipment and a picnic grove, among other things," said U.S. Rep. Jim Himes. “As we celebrate Earth Day tomorrow, I couldn’t think of a better time to applaud this newest addition to the Park City.”
Projects benefiting from the grant program range from the renovation of an athletic complex in Detroit to construction of a new skate park in Madison, Wis.
Click here for more information on Johnson Oak Park.
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