Evans City officials are seeking funding to support significant upgrades at EDCO Park.

During a meeting Monday, Dec. 1, borough council unanimously approved the submission of a $1 million grant application to the state’s Local Share Account program under the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Although the borough won’t learn the outcome of the grant request until sometime next year, the funding would help cover improvements to the park’s aging parking lot and outdated playground.

“We need to make the parking lot situation better,” council President Cheri Deener said. “It’s not conducive to a lot of cars anymore.”

Borough officials said the project would help improve traffic flow on busy days, with an eye toward improving public safety and accessibility for the hundreds of families who flock there throughout the summer.

The grant, Deener said, would also be used to install a new underground electric line to the park’s sign and upgrade drainage systems to protect against stormwater damage.

Officials noted upgrading other areas of the facility are just as critical as EDCO Park continues to see steady use from local residents and regional guests.

One of those areas is the playground, where Deener said the rubber mulch could be replaced with a safer rubber mat surface that’s easier to maintain.

“It would be better for kids who have sensory problems,” Deener said, adding other new equipment like slides and swings could be on the horizon.

There’s also an ongoing push to move the concession stand to another location in the hopes it would create more space for staff and visitors.

“It’s too crammed right now,” Deener said. “They (EDCO Park Authority members) are thinking about taking the refreshments and stuff to a different location. They’re looking at what’s feasible and what the best place to put it would be.”

The borough also expects to lean on a stream of new revenue connected to the recent sale of the 132-acre reservoir property along Lindsay Road finalized in late October.

Under that deal, which included a $1.2 million payment, Jackson Township will make a $40,000 yearly contribution to EDCO Park for the next five years.

Deener said the annual funding will help supplement any grant dollars and ensure the park can begin to move forward with the necessary improvements.

“It’s up to them (the authority) whether or not they use it for immediate needs or they put it away so that they can use it down the road when maybe the money isn’t as prolific as it is right now,” she said.