City greenlights conservation application
May 24—TIFTON — Tifton City Council has changed gears with its application to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
While the city still plans to work on installing more inclusive playground equipment at Fulwood Park as discussed at a May 1 meeting, council members decided later in the month that the application to the conservation fund could be for another project.
Crystal Gaillard, planning and zoning director, said the city had received funding from the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association to help cover the costs for the playground and is at the second stage of the application process for appropriations with the office of Sen. Raphael Warnock, which could cover the remaining expenses.
Gaillard suggested the city submit an application to the Land and Water Conservation Fund with funding going to constructing walking trails around the city retention ponds, complete with signs and lighting.
She said proposal still needs some ironing out but asserted the cost of the project would remain the same: $500,000, half of which the city would be required to pay.
Mayor Julie Smith reminded councilmembers that they had discussed putting more focus on outdoor spaces at the recent city retreat, voicing her support for the change of plans.
Smith said she would be leaving for Washington, D.C., the next day as per her responsibilities to the Georgia Municipal Association and announced she planned to speak more with the offices of Sens. Warnock and Jon Ossoff about funding for the playground renovations.
Council unanimously agreed to approve the submission of the modified application, which will be considered for eligibility by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. If approved, another application would be requested in February of next year.
