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Pittsboro board authorizes staff to apply for Knight Farm Park accessibility grant
Summary
Town staff will apply for a park accessibility grant for Knight Farm Park with a required local match; board approved a motion to authorize the application and mayoral signature.
The Town of Pittsboro board authorized staff to apply for a park accessibility grant for Knight Farm Park and authorized the mayor to sign the certification, the board decided by voice vote at the meeting.
Staff described the project as a park accessibility upgrade focused on existing playgrounds and site improvements at Knight Farm Park. The total project estimate is currently expected to range between $250,000 and $300,000; the grant requires a 20% local match (roughly $50,000–$60,000), and staff proposed increasing the match to 30% to improve the town’s chance of award (approximately $75,000–$90,000).
Staff said Knight Farm has four playground areas, and consultants recommended converting three playground surfacing areas to poured‑in‑place safety surfacing (the fourth playground was recommended to remain triple shredded mulch). Improvements would also include replacing deteriorated natural play elements with more durable, permanent pieces; staff noted shade structures and lighter‑colored surfacing to reduce heat on play surfaces.
Staff reviewed recent and planned park investments across the town, including work at Rock Ridge Park (new playground and paved drive), Towne Lake, Gowanus (playground and pour‑in‑place surface), Mary Hayes (restroom installation) and McLennan Park (tennis courts, basketball courts and improvements to fields). Staff reported an application deadline on Monday and said much of the grant preparation was completed in a short time frame.
During discussion, board members encouraged retaining natural play elements where feasible, adding shade where possible and pursuing the grant promptly because state and federal funding priorities can shift from year to year. Staff noted the town had recently received county grant support for moving the Knight Farm dog park and that East Chatham Little League volunteers are active at McLennan fields.
A motion to authorize staff to apply for the park accessibility grant and to authorize the mayor to sign the certification passed with affirmative voice votes. The meeting proceeded to adjourn after the vote.
