COVINGTON – The Village of Covington will receive a half million dollars through the Land and Water Conservation Fund for Phase I of the Schoolhouse Park project, located in the heart of Covington, to create the first new park within the Village of Covington in over 100 years.
In addition to this grant, in which Covington was one of six projects chosen in the State of Ohio, earlier of this year, the project received a 450,000 donation from the UVMC Parent Board, bringing the total amount raised so far by the Village for the park project from grants and private donations to over $1.25 million. Fundraising is planned to be ongoing this year to complete the remaining elements and phases of the park.
“We have been working to fundraise and design Schoolhouse Park for over three years, and we are finally ready to build it,” said Mayor Ed McCord. “We are grateful that the State of Ohio Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant committee felt our project was worthy of being one of six projects funded within the entire State of Ohio. We look forward to seeing this dream become a reality.”
“This project continues to help weave the unique fabric of Covington”, said Village Administrator Kyle Hinkelman, “the residents, businesses, and non-profits deserve this space to enjoy a summer day at the splashpad, a fall night at the amphitheater, or to just gather on a Wednesday to talk”.
The Park will be completed in multiple phases, with Phase 1 starting construction this year and being completed and open to the public in 2023. This phase will include a pavilion and restrooms, a splashpad, an amphitheater, food truck parking, and a large gathering space for events.
The opportunity to donate to Phase I, in which donors will be recognized on a plaque within the pavilion, will close on June 1, 2022. To donate, or to get more information on the Village of Covington’s Schoolhouse Park project, please go to the Village of Covington’s website at covington-oh.gov, or contact Kyle A. Hinkelman, the Village Administrator, directly by phone at 937-473-3420, or by email at [email protected].
