Resident urges update on Colona park repairs as $300,000 state grant remains pending

A Colona resident told the council that Sullivan Park has visible wear, vandalism and missing fixtures and asked for an update on a $300,000 state grant Senator Halpin announced on Jan. 24.

Brad G., speaking during public comment, said sections of playground equipment remain boarded up seven months after a vandalism incident and that benches and lights have been removed “without public announcement or replacement,” a trend he called a “trajectory worth talking about openly.” He asked whether a plan and timeline for repairs exist and whether the grant remains available to cover new playground equipment, benches, fencing and landscaping.

Mayor Brian Johnson responded that he had emailed the senator’s office on Feb. 13 and that, to his knowledge, the grant funds had moved from the office of budget to the state agency (referred to in the packet as DCEO) and are currently “in transit.” He added the city must complete grant application paperwork and submit plans before funds can be accepted and that he was awaiting further feedback; no firm acceptance date or construction schedule was provided.

The resident framed the request as a request for transparency rather than an accusation: he asked the council to share a timeline so residents know whether and when playgrounds will be repaired. Council members did not provide a construction schedule during the committee discussion; staff said plan submission and application completion remain outstanding.

What happens next: Council members and staff said they would provide updates as the city completes the grant paperwork and receives confirmation from the senator’s office and the state. The item remains at the committee/administrative stage pending plan submission and a formal grant acceptance.