LaGrange seeks Troup County’s $30,000 pledge to secure state park grant for Ridley Lake

Bill Bullock, representing the City of LaGrange, asked the Troup County Board of Commissioners to reaffirm a $30,000 county commitment that would contribute to the city’s Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act grant application for Ridley Lake Park. Bullock said the park plans call for a 44‑acre site with a 15‑acre lake, a 22,000‑square‑foot inclusive playground, pavilions, a fishing pier and a kayak launch, and that the county’s letter of commitment would be required to score partnership points in the competitive grant process.

Bullock summarized the application history: a pre‑application in October 2021, a second‑level application in May 2022 and an agreement in September 2022. He said the project cost has escalated since the original approved budget, and the team sought the maximum $3,000,000 grant under the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship program. "This will be the biggest park the city has — it is 44 acres," Bullock said, emphasizing the inclusive playground space and public‑private partnership contributions that helped the application earn extra points.

County staff and commissioners asked about funding sources. County Manager (speaker 2) said ARPA funds originally intended for outdoor recreation had been expended and are now under U.S. Treasury audit, and recommended that, if the board chooses to act, the county could pull the $30,000 from its capital fund. Bullock noted the local matching/partnership contributions of about $130,000 and said the county’s $30,000 had been included previously to earn 10 partnership points in the grant scoring.

No formal vote occurred during the work session; staff said the request and related budget options would be brought back to the board for consideration. Next steps identified: (1) decide whether to provide the $30,000 commitment, and (2) confirm capital‑fund availability or identify an alternative funding source before a formal action on the grant commitment.