City looks at park renovations

The Russellville City Council took action this week that would allow the city to seek funding for renovations at Sloss Lake on Alabama 24.

If funding is secured, the first phase of renovations would include re-building the existing walking trail that is situated on the east side of the lake.

“That was a very nice area years ago and many people used it for exercising,” city councilman William Nale said.

As part of the first phase of renovations, a new walking trail would also be built along the southern portion of the lake that borders Alabama 24. That trail would lead across the area where the spillway is and would connect to a trail near the ball fields in John Blackwell Park.

“There are a lot of other towns that would love to have a place like Sloss Lake, but we haven’t taken advantage of having it,” Councilman Lanny Hubbard said.

The grant the city has applied for is part of the Recreational Trails Program Fund through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The city would only be eligible to receive 80 percent of the estimated $103,991 total cost of the project.

Mayor Troy Oliver said the majority of the city’s portion of matching funds would be paid through in-kind money, meaning the use of city services such as land preparation and clearing.

Work is already underway removing the existing walking trail in hopes that the grant will be approved.

If the city is able to move forward with the initial portion of the work, the second and third phases could eventually see the addition of swimming and camping areas.

Nale said that he would like to see a splash pad built, while Hubbard hopes to add pools or a small beach area.

“We just need to have something for the people of Russellville,” Hubbard said.

“We have a great resource out there but nobody uses it. If we build something that people want to use and can stay here at home, it will help the entire city.”