Council signals support for Hamilton County matching grant, prioritizes Althouse Park work tied to Dahlia Playground fundraising

Signal Mountain Town Council members directed staff to submit an application for Hamilton County’s matching community grant program and signaled broad support for focusing funds on Althouse Park to prepare for the privately led Dahlia Playground project.

Town staff said the county grant is a matching program that matches dollar‑for‑dollar; staff described the potential local match as $250,000 for $250,000 from Hamilton County (a $500,000 project total if matched). Public‑works staff provided a list of project “milestones” and cost estimates to include in the application, including playground mulch, topsoil and seed, restroom and bathhouse remodels to meet ADA standards, parking and pathways to improve accessibility, tree removal, stormwater remediation, and resurfacing of courts.

Council members emphasized that, if the town uses the county matching grant funds at Althouse Park, the work should be planned to support the Dahlia Playground’s final design (staff and the playground group have been coordinating). Several council members urged a coordinated approach: use grant funds for grading, accessible restrooms, handicap parking and site work so the private playground build will not require later rework.

Town Manager Matt Justice said the playground proponents have reduced the playground’s estimated construction cost by roughly $200,000 and expect total fundraising in the $640,000 range; the proponents requested an MOU outlining town support. Council directed staff to continue fundraising coordination, pursue the county grant application (phase 2 deadline referenced as early September), and to bring a draft MOU and refined project list back to council for formal consideration.