City seeks grant for accessible turf at Duke Park playground renovation

The Troy City Council convened on April 8, 2025, to discuss several key items related to the Park Board, with a primary focus on enhancing accessibility at Duke Park. The meeting began with a proposal to authorize park board support for the city's application for a grant from the UMBC Community Benefit Fund. This grant aims to fund the purchase and installation of high-quality accessibility turf, which will complement new ADA-compliant playground equipment scheduled for installation at Duke Park.

City officials highlighted that the 2025 budget includes the replacement of playground equipment, ensuring that all but the toddler equipment will be fully ADA accessible. The total cost for the new equipment is estimated at approximately $240,000, with an additional $190,000 required for the accessibility turf. This upgrade is seen as a significant enhancement to the park's facilities, promoting inclusivity for all visitors.

Mayor Oda and other city representatives have been in discussions with Kevin Harlan, president of UVMC, regarding the grant application. They expressed confidence that the application meets the necessary objectives and are in the process of finalizing it for submission. The application will also include letters of support from regional stakeholders, including the recreation board and other community organizations.

The council emphasized the importance of acknowledging significant donations in the project, similar to previous sponsorships for other city projects. The meeting concluded with a consensus that the installation of the turf could proceed without delaying the overall project timeline, ensuring that the enhancements at Duke Park will move forward as planned.