Knox City Officials Seek DNR Funds for Upgrades at Sandy Acres

A potential project at Sandy Acres Park in has city officials seeking funds from the Department of Natural Resources.

While discussing some possible upcoming projects at last week’s city council meeting, Mayor Dennis Estok shared that City Attorney and Park Board President Autumn Ferch has been working on a grant to submit to the DNR.

If awarded, the funds would be used in order to help cover the cost of upgrading some of the amenities at Sandy Acres, the city park located near U.S. 35 and Veteran’s Parkway.

Estok mentioned some of the additions that they’re looking into, “New restrooms,new shelter, parking lot will be asphalted, new ADA side walks and a possibility of lighting the parking lot up and all that.”

Estok noted that since the grant money hasn’t come in yet, these are all just preliminary ideas that are being considered. However, the estimated cost of the project, including lighting, would be around $150,000 – $170,000.

The Mayor mentioned that they’re going after a 50/50 grant. He said since it is not in the Park Board’s budget, the City would need to come up with half of the money to cover the upgrades. He added that it could likely be feasibly split up between a few different accounts such as the River Boat and CEDIT funds.