The Town of Tyrone now has an $18,000 check from the Fayette County Commission to serve as the county’s contribution towards recreation.

The Town Council signed an agreement to accept the money on the condition that Tyrone will not charge county residents higher fees to participate in recreation activities than fees charged to town residents. The vote to sign that agreement came at the July 20 meeting, but council briefly sparred about how the money should be spent.

Ultimately council agreed to the suggestion from Mayor Sheryl Lee to have council members submit their ideas of how the money should be spent. Councilwoman Grace Caldwell said she thought the entire $18,000 should be dedicated to Shamrock Park.

Town Manager Barry Amos said the town should consider funding safety-related enhancements such as improvements to the playing surfaces at all the city’s playgrounds. He also noted that Shamrock Park has needs too, and it would be vastly improved if the building and fence could be demolished and removed.

Caldwell said a group of citizens have showered a bunch of volunteer hours worth of love on Shamrock Park and it is in the city’s downtown district that the council wants to promote to seek new businesses. Specifically Caldwell asked for improved lighting on the paths, more picnic areas and benches, a gazebo and boardwalk along the wetlands, an additional pavilion area and new tennis and basketball courts. She also recommended keeping the courts lit at night from 9-12 p.m.

Whatever happens, Amos said recently, the town will look to leverage the county’s contribution to get more bang for the buck, perhaps getting up to $50,000 in improvements.

login to post comments