The city of Gosnell may be getting a boost in its efforts to renovate the city's park equipment, thanks to two grants that, if awarded, would shoulder a significant portion of the renovation costs.
City Council member Melissa Quearry presented the council with information on two grants she recently applied for with the assistance of Rep. Wes Wagner. If awarded, the two grants -- a $15,000 matching grant from BYO Recreation and a $15,000 East Arkansas Planning and Development District -- coupled with the more than $7,500 the city has raised to go toward the park project would leave the city paying "next to nothing," according to Quearry, for the new equipment, including installation.
The new equipment would meet all safety standards and would make the park ADA-accessible. Quearry said the park's current equipment would also get some much-needed safety upgrades, particularly new surfaces under the existing equipment.
Quearry said she would know whether or not the grants were awarded in time for the September meeting.
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In other news, council member Eric Blount told the council the Gosnell Police Department was looking at subscribing to a software service that helps track stolen goods that have been sold at pawn shops. Blount said he didn't have all the details on the software program, which he said he believed would cost the city close to $1,200 each year, other than it would work with pawn shops across the nation.
"Obviously this isn't going to stop theft, you can never really stop it, but this could be just one more deterrent. It would be just one more kink in their armor," Blount said of the program.
Council member Nita Reams added that for the cost it would be worth it, "even if it only helped one person get their stuff back".
Blount said he would get with council member Josh Trapp, who wasn't at Tuesday's meeting, and find out more about the software before the next meeting.
cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com