22-05-2025
Antis Township seeking grant to add more recreational activities
BELLWOOD, Pa. (WTAJ) — Antis Township applied for a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development to add more recreational activities to the Bellwood Antis Community Park.
Douglas Brown, the Township Manager, said amenities already exist at the park, but the grant would give people more options. They're looking to add a dog park and pickleball courts.
Brown said it's something that the community has been asking for.
'So, almost ten years ago, Bellwood Antis had done a park and recreation plan, and it included improvements, one of which was a dog park. For various reasons, we're just now getting to it, but near the park, there's an unused piece of ground and looking to kind of fill out that park and maximize the use of that. That's really where the two ideas came together,' Brown said.
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They've applied for a $250,000 grant with a 15% match. The township budgets for park and recreation improvements in its annual budget. They previously received another grant to pave a portion of the trail and extend access across the drainage ditch. That means there's money left in the budget that will be used to match the grant.
If the state approves the grant, the township would bid out the project, find contractors and move forward with construction. If the grant is denied, Brown said they will move forward with plans and reapply, or take things in stages and work to make improvements for the community.
The township is expected to learn the status of the grant in January 2026.
'Parks and rec is not our sole focus. It's a service we provide to the residents. You know, it's a really important service we provide, especially in town. It's a place where families can go,' Brown said.
On May 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Bellwood Antis Community Trust will host a Kids Craft Fair in the park. The vendors will be local children who are going to present and sell their products.
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