The City of Greencastle received notice from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources that it will receive a $500,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The grant is provided through the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund that provides Indiana with $5 million to distribute to local communities. The grant and local match will provide additional improvements to Robe Ann Park.

The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation submitted the application at the end of 2021.   After review at the Department of Natural Resources, the applications were submitted to the federal government for further review approval.  

The City of Greencastle is required to provide an additional local match of $500,000, and will have three years to complete the work proposed under the grant.

Improvements to Robe Ann Park include reconnecting the interior road system, a small event plaza and parking area near Shelter 1, reconfiguring the parking area north of the ball field, ADA improvements, bocce ball courts, corn hole courts, road and sidewalk improvements, and two small picnic shelters.

“The grant and local investment will maintain and enhance Robe Ann Park as our premier city park,” noted park board president Cathy Merrell.

Engineering work will begin later this year after the grant agreement is completed. After the plans are reviewed and approved by DNR, construction could begin sometime in 2023.

“These additional improvements will complete a round of investments in Robe Ann Park that included the tennis and pickleball courts, the bandshell, aquatic center, parking, and sidewalks,” said Mayor Bill Dory. “This new partnership with the state and federal government enhances the future enjoyment of Robe Ann Park by citizens and families of all ages.”