ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996            TAG: 9609050049
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                PAGE: N-6  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER


PARKS GET MINI-GRANTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS

Residents of 10 Roanoke neighborhoods may see a few "bennies" cropping up in their communities in coming months.

Preston Park in Northeast Roanoke will get some new trees. Kennedy Park and the Melrose-Rugby community are getting new signs. And Wasena residents will see two large trash containers for Main Street, as well as a memorial marker for Oak Park.

These and other small projects were given the green light by Roanoke City Council on Aug. 19 as council distributed 10 mini-grants worth $12,377 to neighborhood organizations across the city.

The mini-grants are funded partly through federal Community Development Block Grants and partly from the city general fund.

The total cost of the projects is $15,471. That sum includes $3,094 in neighborhood funds that will also be spent on the items.

The following is a list of projects, the value of the mini-grants and the cost to the neighborhood organization:

* Neighborhood entrance signs and landscaping for the Edgewood-Morwanda-Summit Hills community. The mini-grant is for $960; the Edgewood-Morwanda-Summit Hills Neighborhood Association is putting $240 into the project.

* Computer equipment and software to produce a community newsletter in Garden City. The mini-grant is for $1,500; the Garden City Civic League is putting $375 into the project.

* A tree-planting project along Memorial Avenue in Raleigh Court. The mini-grant is for $1,500; the Raleigh Court Civic League is putting $375 into the project.

* A new neighborhood entrance sign with landscaping for the Loudon-Melrose neighborhood. The mini-grant is worth $1,500; the Loudon-Melrose Neighborhood Organization is putting $375 into the project.

* Landscaping and neighborhood signs in Kennedy Park, and the replacement of one existing sign at Orange Avenue and 10th Street. The mini-grant is worth $1,500; the Melrose/Rugby Neighborhood Forum is putting $375 into the project. Some of the funds will help pay for member training and expenses for conferences.

* Two existing neighborhood signs on Franklin Road in Old Southwest will be replaced, and the neighborhood will get a third sign at the intersection of 10th and Ferdinand streets. The mini-grant is worth $1,500; Old Southwest Inc. will put $375 into the project.

* The design, printing and mailing of a neighborhood newsletter for Ridgewood Park. The mini-grant is worth $896; the Ridgewood Park Neighborhood League is putting up $179 for the newsletter.

* A new park bench and the replacement of trash cans in Piedmont Park. The mini-grant is worth $800; the Riverland Alert Neighbors are putting up $200 for the project.

* Two large trash containers on Main Street in Wasena and a memorial marker in Oak Park. The mini-grant is worth $1,500; the Wasena Neighborhood Forum is putting $375 into the project.

* New trees in Preston Park. The mini-grant is worth $900; the Williamson Road Action Forum is putting $225 into the project.


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