EDWARDSVILLE — The Metro East Park and Recreational District has designated $300,000 to be used for the city’s new sports park, city officials announced recently.
The grant will be applied toward land acquisition that will total 70 acres of land located on Goshen Road east of Ridgeview Road and near the I-55 corridor. The new sports complex, named Plummer Family Park, is being developed to accommodate a growing demand in the region for recreational space.
   The land where the park will be developed previously belonged to to Plummer Companies. The city acquired it late last year from R.P. Lumber founder Robert Plummer, who donated six acres of land worth $246,000. He also agreed to swap 32 acres of the property for 16 acres the city owned on Governors’ Parkway. The city will acquire the remaining 32 acres for the park over the next three years at a rate of $41,000 per acre.
Plummer Family Park is one of three parks in the Better Place to Play Campaign. The campaign was developed to raise money and awareness for area parks projects to include an ice rink and teen center as well as a splash pad at the Leon Corlew Park, located at Main and Schwarz streets near downtown Edwardsville.
   The sports park will provide multiple fields for baseball, softball and soccer. Tennis and pickleball courts, an ADA-compliant field, as well as concessions and restrooms will also be built at the future park.

The MEPRD was formed in November 2000 and is responsible for the development of trails and trail facilities in Madison County and St. Clair County. The district awards grants to successful applicants under their Park and Trail Grant Matching Program. The district serves over half a million residents with a mission to develop, operate and maintain the public trails and parks throughout the counties in the district.

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www.sportsplexoperators.com

www.sadlersports.com/soda

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