The Cherokee County Parks & Recreation Board recently received good news in the form of a letter from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey – informing them they would be receiving a grant in the amount of $99,843.00.
WEIS Radio News spoke with Leann Hill, Park Board Chairperson, about the grant, which is funded by the Land & Water Conservation Fund program, and how that money will be used to upgrade campsites at Cherokee Rock Village:
The total cost of the project is $199,686 with the remaining 50% coming from the Cherokee County Commission under 50/50 Matching Grant rules. Ms. Hill said “On behalf of the Park Board, we would like to thank Governor Ivey, Mr. Kenneth Boswell, our contacts at ADECA for all their assistance, and the East Alabama Planning Commission, as well as the Cherokee Commission, for partnering with us on this project.”
We asked Ms. Hill what else was in the works for Cherokee Rock Village:
They’re also adding eco-friendly garbage cans with tamper-proof lids, to keep wildlife, such as raccoons out, further assuring that the grounds stay clean for park guests. The estimated cost of that project is approximately $15,000 and the grant money from the Tillotson Menlo Foundation will be a huge help in having everything completed by next spring (2019).
And patrons to Cherokee Rock Village Park are now able to enjoy a large Observation Deck adjacent to the picnic area overlooking the Leesburg area. The 30×40 deck was constructed through grants and donations and Park Board Capital Improvement Funds. The Tillotson-Menlo Charitable Foundation provided a grant in the amount of $10,000, The Cherokee County Civitan Club provided a grant for $2,500 and Weiss Lake Improvement Association provided a grant of $1,500 with some private donations for the project coming in as well.
Cherokee Rock Village Park is located at 2000 County Road 70 in Leesburg, Alabama – and it provides a wonderful rock climbing experience, along with hiking trails, primitive tent camping, limited RV Camping, Bird Watching, Picnicking, and much more – including acting as a stunning wedding venue.
For more information on Cherokee Rock Village Park simply call (256) 523-3799, visit their Facebook page or visit them on-line at www.ccparkboard.com.
