By Kristin Bednarski
Sun staff

Union Township Trustees approved a resolution to apply for a NatureWorks grant during their April 25 meeting.

“If we are successful, we hope to obtain funds for Veterans Memorial Park for pond modifications,” Union Township Administrator Ken Geis said.

Geis said these grant funds would be used to improve the banks of the pond at the park and make it look nicer.

“We would create a definite shore line for that and allow the levels to be more consistent,” Geis said about the improvements.

He said the entire project would cost approximately $70,000.

Trustees passed a resolution to apply for the grant during the meeting.

Geis said the township has applied for and received NatureWorks grant funds in the past. He said previously they have used funds for playground equipment at parks in the township.

NatureWorks grants are funded through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

According to ODNR, the NatureWorks grant program provides up to 75 percent reimbursement assistance for local governments for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas.

Since the NatureWorks grant program began, the organization has funded more than 1,300 applications totaling more than $63 million.

Geis said it is great that the NatureWorks grants are available to local communities.

“We are one of the largest communities and townships in the region that doesn’t have a park levy, so we use general funds” Geis said. “Any grant that we can get goes a long way for us in making capital improvements.”